QANTAS: Flight Credit changes and fee changes delayed

Qantas has been trying to reform the damage it self-inflicted on its reputation with everything from better food to more recognition on board for frequent flyer status. Then it goes and pisses it all against the wall with more punishing flight change fees. Fortunately, it has seen the folly of its ways to a limited expense and has delayed those increases.

Flight Credits now more flexible

Up until this week, you had to apply a flight credit to a fare equal to or higher than the credit. Now, Qantas has sensibly changed that so you can apply a credit to multiple bookings. The fare you purchase with the credit no longer has to be the same or higher.

You can now apply your credit to any fare amount, with any remainder being ‘carried over’ for use on another booking.

Even better – that rule will be applied retrospectively. If you applied your credit to a lesser fare, you would now have a credit for the ‘leftover’ amount. This will affect some 100,000 flight credit requests.

If you booked directly with Qantas, the credit will appear when you select ‘See All Bookings’. To use a credit, hit the tab ‘Ues Flight Credit’.

If you booked through a third party, you will need to contact them about possible credits.

Higher fees delayed

No, Qantas is not cancelling the increased rebooking and cancellation fees. It is merely delaying their introduction.

The higher fees were meant to apply this week (Wednesday, 9 October 2024) but have been delayed until a date to be set. The excuse is the need for ‘technical testing’. What technical testing is required to ensure a smooth increase of AU$20 to a cancelled domestic flight fee from AU99 to AU$119 will forever baffle me.

When the change goes into effect, the 20% increase will apply to changes or cancellations of domestic flights in Economy and Premium Economy. Business charges will remain the same.

2PAXfly Takeout

The original fee change was part of a September update to travel agents. It received a lot of criticism, especially in frequent flyer forums. I think this is a tactical retreat by Qantas. It’s no backdown.

Personally, I feel these fees are unconscionable and should have the ACCC pouncing on them. Remember how they disappeared during the pandemic when Qantas was desperate to find every paying customer?

This delay to the increase in change and cancellation fees and the ability to redeem flight credits over multiple fares is the good news in a week that has seen Qantas getting a bollocking for the generous rights it gives to ex-board members and executives decades into the future to enjoy free premium domestic and international airfares.