Qantas will halt all international flights by the end of March
Qantas' international network will shut down until at least the end of May 2020.
By David Flynn, March 19 2020
Qantas will suspend all of its international flights as coronavirus-related bans and 'do not travel' orders shut down the global travel market.
"With the Federal Government now recommending against all overseas travel from Australia, regularly scheduled international flights will continue until late March to assist with repatriation and will then be suspended until at least the end of May 2020," the airline said in a statement issued this morning.
Qantas' schedule shows flights to key destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA and London being withdrawn across the week commencing Monday March 23, with travel on partner airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Emirates being suggested in several cases.
The airline will ground over 150 aircraft, including all of its Airbus A380, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 747 jets, with the iconic jumbos – due for retirement by years' end – now expected not to return to the skies.
It's a dramatic response to an unprecedented challenge, with Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce earlier this week describing the Covid-19 pandemic in a staff-wide memo as "the single biggest shock that global aviation has ever experienced."
All bookings on cancelled flights will be automatically converted to a travel credit which can be used towards the purchase of any future Qantas or Jetstar flight.
Reshaping the domestic network
Qantas' domestic network will also see a 60% reduction in capacity, which "will come mostly from a significant reduction in flight frequency, but also route suspensions and postponing a number of new route launches."
As an indicator of the scope of these changes, and the coronavirus' stark impact on even domestic travel habits, flights on the Sydney-Melbourne corridor – previously ranked among the world's busiest air routes – will be reduced from 250 return services per week to under 90, while the number of transcontinental flights between the east and west coasts will be halved.
Scores of regional routes have been suspended, among them flights to Sydney from Ballina, Bendigo Broome, Hamilton Island, Mildura, Orange, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
For a full list of Qantas and Jetstar domestic route changes, visit qantasnewsroom.com.au/qantas-group-network-changes.
20,000 staff stood down
With Qantas temporarily becoming a domestic airline, the airline group will stand down the majority of its 30,000 employees until at least the end of May 2020.
"Employees will be able to draw down on annual and long service leave and additional support mechanisms will be introduced, including leave at half pay and early access to long service leave," the airline says.
Qantas chief Alan Joyce says the decision to stand down staff is made with the intention to bring them back when demand sees an inevitable uptick.
“The reality is we’ll have 150 aircraft on the ground and sadly there’s no work for most of our people. Rather than lose these highly skilled employees who we’ll need when this crisis passes, we are instead standing down two-thirds of our 30,000 employees until at least the end of May.”
Frequent flyer status extended
With most of Qantas' 13 million frequent flyers effectively grounded by coronavirus-related travel restrictions and the airline's drastically down-sized network, all Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One card-holders will see their status automatically extended for 12 months, preserving their perks through to as late as 2022 even if they don't set foot on an airplane.
The gratis status offer also encompasses members who have received a complimentary Gold membership, or complimentary Platinum membership from a Platinum One member.
Read more: Qantas extends frequent flyer status for a full year
Project Sunrise: Airbus A350 purchase on hold
The coronavirus has also put Qantas' planned purchase of Airbus A350 jets on the back-burner util the end of 2020. Although this isn't expected to delay the launch of the ambitious non-stop Project Sunrise flights to London and New York, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said "we would rather wait for the coronavirus issue to be out of the way before we put a firm aircraft order in for the A350."
Read more: Qantas to delay Airbus A350 purchase for Project Sunrise
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
Wow! International is understandable, but 60% for domestic is surprising. Really must be dire out there.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
02 Jul 2018
Total posts 37
It's understandable when you see Tasmania will implement mandatory 14-day quarantine for non-essential travelers. For SYD-MEL I'd rather drive.
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 4
Are Qantas wavering rewards points change fees and cancelations similar to paid tickets.
Qantas - Platinum
04 Jun 2014
Total posts 16
I was wondering this too - refunding points and charging or not charging the 6000pt cxl fee. I have 2 pax on 2 sectors booked separately so would be 24,000pts all up.
My flight is to SFO in mid-April so I thought I'd just let the booking sit there and have them cancel it rather than me "requesting" to cancel. Any logic in that?
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1010
All business and government needs to work together to get through this, competition is out the door and everyone should help each other.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
I wonder if it is possible that VA and QF may share services like Australian Airlines and Ansett did during the pilot strike.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2017
Total posts 2
Can Qantas extend frequent flyer status because of all these cancellations and lack of flying? For someone who flies a lot, because of this global situation, there is no way I will be renewing my status before my expiration
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
05 Sep 2013
Total posts 47
Being blunt extending status is not the priority, stopping the spread of Covid-19 and levelling out the peaks is the priority. Most likely if you travel often you will make it back in a year. Plus your employer might and should restrict travel for a while until under control and review travel policies.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 207
I disagree, this is a place to discuss travel, points and status credits. Everyone else can talk about how to control the spread of a virus elsewhere. We will get back to normal eventually and knowing our position is important to us here. Gut feeling, I think the airlines will extend or maintain the level already achieved for 12 more months. Fingers crossed.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 207
Bingo! An email came through from Qantas last night extending my Gold status. Much appreciated, I will continue to fly Qantas later in the year with pleasure.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Thats unfair. Tommylove007, Qantas and Virgin cant stop Covid-19. Let's not turn on each other, he/she was asking for our support.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 416
It would be good if they did that.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1010
Trust me tommylove007, if you need to have your status extended due to Coronavirus you actually don't fly a lot.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Upupandaway your definition of flying a lot is very interesting (every week to the UK?) as qantas will be effectively grounded for the next six months if not a year. I will have to move three major bookings to Europe and the US back 12 months and maybe I don't fly a lot, but people with double that could say they flew a lot.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1010
patrickk, It's all perception. To a person who takes one trip a year a person who flies twice a year flies a lot and so on all the way to the person who flies every day of the week. I have friend who flies every day even Saturday and Sunday and I think he is crazy for doing that. The point I was making from the first post of Tommylove007 is that worrying about status at an airline compared to what is happening globally to our way of life, loss of jobs, deaths etc etc etc should be at the bottom of of the list. This is a fight to make sure all our companies and employee have jobs and survive, I wouldn't give a crap about making sure I still have status at an airline, I would prefer to make sure I still had a plane to fly on.
21 Aug 2019
Total posts 64
Agreed. Half way through to Plat and would have achieved that within 2-3 months well within the anniversary falling in Nov but apart from status is just the whole disruption to business life.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2018
Total posts 12
They just have! 12 month extension which is great news.
12 Oct 2018
Total posts 17
Email from Qantas this morning:
Qantas Frequent Flyers who have used Qantas Points to book a flight on Qantas, Jetstar and all partner airlines, and no longer wish to travel, will also have the change fees waived.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
I reckon a 787 to the US and one to the UK, and a 737 from Perth to Singapore, and that's it. My work has not only stopped all international travel but all domestic as well. I suspect we are not alone.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
28 Jun 2019
Total posts 78
The current policy provides that passengers can choose to cancel travel for a credit (or redeposit of points if an award ticket).
With all these cancellations initiated by Qantas, however, I assume they are they obligated to provide a direct refund not not simply a credit as this is not a passenger-motivated request. Is that correct?
A difficult decision from a cashflow perspective but surely they can't fly empty aircraft. Also wonder if they will further automate this to happen automatically to cut down on admin having to manually process each ticket. These systems are already beyond their max.
Extraordinary (and sad) times.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
05 Sep 2013
Total posts 47
These is no legal requirement under Australian Consumer Law for Qantas to give you a “cash refund” (Debit, credit card or the way that you paid) even under "Extraordinary" events, only legal guaranteed refund under certain circumstances (ie the airlines cannot or is not able to get you to your destination under certain circumstances)
You also agreed to the airline's conditions of carriage when you booked your ticket and it states the option you have in "Extraordinary" events. Qantas is giving out travel credits first as per there conditions of carriage. They have only recently started giving out “cash refunds” without fees as a good will gesture.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
28 Jun 2019
Total posts 78
With respect, that appears to be incorrect. No need to look at general legislation like Australian Consumer Law given that the Contract of Carriage itself is clear on the issue and states as follows:
"Where we make a Significant Change to your flight due to an Event Beyond Our Control, whether you have checked in or not, we will:
- use reasonable endeavours to rebook you on the next available flight on our services at no additional cost to you
- alternatively, if we are unable to rebook you on services acceptable to you, we will refund the applicable fare."
[The same wording also applies for cancellations "Events Within Our Control", so regardless which term is applied given their contractual definitions in the CoC, a refund would apply.]
The wording leaves the option to the passenger, and likely safe to say that, "we will rebook you sometime in the future" is not an "acceptable" change to most passengers in the moment of decision.
The CoC also clearly states that any "refunds" paid are paid back using the same form of payment used to purchase the ticket.
Putting my day-job hat as a lawyer back on, I have a hard time seeing Qantas successfully denying cash/credit/debit refunds for flights they cancel / suspend per the contractual terms they themselves impose.
13 Dec 2019
Total posts 15
I canceled award bookings on Saturday. Seems it was a day or two early. 6000pp points deducted.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 276
You can speak to Qantas again and I'm sure they will waive.
13 Dec 2019
Total posts 15
Thanks Jubbing. Have just texted to see what they say. Appreciate that.
Meanwhile - virgin call centre is down for flights >24 hours away, due to Philippines making staff stay home so their call centres are mostly closed. Will be interesting to see how this pans out.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Mar 2017
Total posts 18
I cancelled flights yesterday and was not so lucky. domestic flight booked with a travel voucher was completely non refundable as past the expiry date of the original travel voucher. Also cancelled a FF booking for 5 tickets booked and was only offered a waiver of fees if I changed dates, to cancel cost me 6000 points each - so I'm 30000 points down for that one. I have another 5 person booking to Singapore in June which I'm likely to have to cancel and will be 300000 points down again for that! Of course travel insurance does not cover loss of FF points.
31 May 2017
Total posts 1
Actually, some travel insurance policies do cover for loss of FF. Check you pds.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Very tough and strange times. Feel sorry for the industry as a whole being brought to it's knees. A good friend is a 737 Qantas pilot and said yesterday that AJ has told all staff that there are very tough times ahead. At least with the 737 crew there are some flights. You would not want to be a CEO of airline today nor a wide bodied specialised crew.
17 Mar 2020
Total posts 2
Qantas is not handling this situation well. For example, I bought my ticket back in November so extending my travel for "12 months" really only gives me 8 months to use my ticket - it is NOT 12 months. Of course, no one will be able to travel over the next 3 months (or more) due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. So best case scenario, Qantas is giving me 5 months to use my voucher.
If Qantas won't refund my money, the least they can do is extend the time you can use your voucher to 18-24 months so you can plan the same trip for the same time next year. This seems like a simple solution that would restore travelers' faith in Qantas.
Right now, Qantas is opting for short-term gain over long-term loyalty. If you screw your customers in this situation, you'll never get them back!
16 Aug 2019
Total posts 12
I agree TraceyW that Qantas should extend the life of the vouchers. I purchased tickets in August last year for flights in May, so will only be able to use the vouchers until August. Firstly, it is unclear whether anyone will be travelling then and secondly, I already have travel booked for August so couldn't use the vouchers before the end of the year at the earliest. Extending the life of the voucher allows people to leave their money with Qantas (who have had my money for 6 months already) and still receive some usable value for the unused tickets. I am not inclined, however, at this point to accept their offer, as I believe they will have to refund the purchase price of the ticket if they cancel the flights rather than me choosing not to fly.
17 Mar 2020
Total posts 2
I believe Qantas it trying to force everyone to choose vouchers before they start canceling flights. This way they don't have to refund your money. Shameful!
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
I think this is early days. Qantas will announce tomorrow or Friday their new schedule probably for 6-months, then I will call (when it quite quietens down) about moving to bookings later next year when hopefully it is all over.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
And ... they don't have to book the credit as negative revenue, but instead transfer to 'Deferred Revenue'. It's all about the P&L, and don't we QFF dare get in the way. I guess the only choice we have left is who to fly with when flights resume, the airline that operates like the public service ("computer syas No") or the private-sector airline that truly values your business.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2013
Total posts 7
If you want to have a QANTAS able to trade in the immediate and medium term future, then they need cash so sensible they are offering and promoting vouchers
Time for loyal flyers to do their bit too?
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
If they had a bit more loyalty to their customers and actually offered more flexibility on their vouchers then I expect more people would consider them, I for one would, but if I were to accept a voucher now I would need to book AND fly by Christmas. That may sound great but as a loyal flyer I have already got all my international travel booked for this year. Perhaps if they offered 12/18 or even 24 month validity on the voucher then people would consider.
I also think Qantas are being very sneaky in not actually cancelling any flights. I have flights which they have said are no longer flying but they have yet to actually cancel them.
16 Dec 2016
Total posts 58
If this is for regular and informed travellers then rather than acting selfishly like people in supermarkets, perhaps take a breath and let Qantas sort things out. Qantas is not acting shamefully, they are trying to work out how to cancel a huge number of flights safely while trying to protect their 30,000 staff. One day this will be over and everyone can get back to kicking the roo but for now remember that they are the ONLY Australian owned airline and contribute billions to the Aussie economy (just as an example, they are the 3rd biggest purchaser of Australian wine behind the Woolworths and Coles groups but they serve these rather than resell - imagine the hit to the winemakers and farmers and bakeries and cheese makers and on and on and on). How about everyone who flies takes a moment to show their support so that we have a strong airline once we are through this #ISupportQantas
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Dec 2016
Total posts 21
Does any body know if Jetstar is still flighting to Phuket during may
18 Mar 2020
Total posts 1
trying to cancel a ff booking and when I try and cancel it says booking in process
I've had the booking for more than 6 months. Any suggestions?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Call Q and speak to a person (but expect to wait).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Sorry ... to be perfectly clear, make sure you speak to an Australian based call centre operator, NOT EVER an offshore operator who's only discretion is when to take a coffee break.
QF
10 Jan 2014
Total posts 9
I'm worried I walked into a trap cancelling “without penalty” a business saver fare to CHC for April.
The page gave me the option of “credit” or “refund” but my fare conditions stated “no refund.” As such I chose credit, was granted it, & the voucher states I must now TRAVEL (not just redeem the voucher) before 02 October, or the credit will be forfeited. I booked on EQ metal but must redeem on QF metal.
I can't recall my initial booking date but this seems a really tight timeframe for credit redemption. Anyone else in the same boat w onerous redemption conditions?
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1010
I would also check travel insurance before cancelling to make sure you get the best option, I have Covermore, HCF medical insurance that has travel insurance as a bonus and also credit card travel insurance. And believe it or not it's better for myself to claim it on the HCF insurance with a full cash refund.
18 Mar 2020
Total posts 1
I have a one world reward booking, which has been half used, since I was able to plan a double holiday, and thus am in transit at the moment in Syd. Next flight to Europe is to start in late May. If my flights are cancelled, or if I cancel, what's the chance of recovering some of the points? Any advise on what I should do.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2018
Total posts 26
Another viewpoint ... I used AA points to book Qantas BNE-SFO 7 April and now received notice to claim a "credit" from Qantas!!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2018
Total posts 12
Just got the email from Qantas advising that my Gold status has been extended for another 12 months due to Coronavirus. Great news in the midst of much doom and gloom for the airline and travel industry.
Air Canada - Aeroplan
28 Feb 2015
Total posts 115
This is somewhat OT, but could someone please help me with this question? I have a ticket (not Qantas) flying into Australia mid-May. I want to buy a connecting domestic Qantas ticket SYD-ADL, but am unclear about the cancellation policy regarding *new* bookings. Do new bookings also have to be cancelled by 31 March to be eligible for a fee-free refund/voucher? The only way I'd cancel the booking is if my inbound international flight is cancelled, but I may not know for sure until well after 31 March. The Qantas website is not clear about its cancellation policy for bookings made *from now on*, as distinct from pre-existing bookings. Thank you in advance for any info.
06 Oct 2018
Total posts 10
I feel sorry for Qantas, in its centenary year especially. We need to support the Roos whenever we can by flying more when things recover and it certainly will.
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 29
The status extension is significant and just because you are not a regular flyer you can still have a status upgrade plan as I did this year. Business Class to South Africa in March (cancelled) and USA in October( who knows) .That would have got me Gold from current Silver. The extension now takes any need to rush ahead with changes unnecessary and just chill for couple of months. My only issue with Qantas response in all this is the need ,as I understand it, to use all of your credit or more from cancelled booking for new booking in next two months. How can I spend 10k with all international flights cancelled? "Happy", a relative term,
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
28 Jun 2019
Total posts 78
It begins. Qantas' statement on cancellations is that "to avoid inconvenience," cancelled trips will be "automatically converted" into the credit. This may (and hopefully will) work for many, but Qantas is bound by their own Conditions of Carriage to provide a refund to the form of payment used to purchase the ticket (unless passenger agrees otherwise, and presumably accepting the voucher and not making a fuss for a refund will be cited as said agreement).
It seems the strategy QF has chosen is to proceed with vouchers and hope that as few people as possible know they are entitled to and choose to ask for the refund they are contractually promised. So be it. My hope, however, is that they do not try to deny them even when asked.
We'll soon start to find out. I've just requested a refund through one of their social media channels for a trip where a voucher could never be used to recreate the same itinerary. I tried to be nice and to the point referring to the Conditions of Carriage and will report back on results.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Mar 2018
Total posts 6
I was lucky enough to get through to Qantas FF call centre this morning (10 min wait) because they changed my flights bookings to vouchers (originally asked for refunds through the ‘manage my bookings'.). The lovely lady changed the vouchers to a refund. We did this for 3 separate bookings (2x OS and 1x domestic) till July. Thumbs up from us to Qantas for making it easy.
19 Mar 2020
Total posts 4
Can I ask the important question, did they charge any cancellation fees?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Mar 2018
Total posts 6
No cancellation fees (even though I initially offered). VERY happy customer.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Feb 2019
Total posts 9
I called up this morning (wait time was about 10 minutes on the platinum line - surprisingly quick) and they refunded three international trips that were scheduled between 1 April-30 May, without any fees. The value of another upcoming trip that would have occurred prior to the cancellation of all international flights on 31 March was transferred onto a voucher. This seemed very fair to me.
12 Oct 2018
Total posts 17
Thems corporate weasel words.
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 29
One lesson learnt in all this is never use a Travel Agent again for any flights. Having to deal through them rather than directly with Qantas makes a difficult situation a nightmare
21 Aug 2019
Total posts 64
Pleased to hear about the Plat status staying on into 2021 but like all FF this is a massive dislocation to our working lives. Happy to support QF when some normality resumes
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Flying from Sydney to Melbourne. Flight very empty. 3 seats to myself. Original flight got cancelled and was shifted to another flight. Managed to leave on a flight 2 hours earlier after seeing the agent at the lounge. Spoke with her and she was like all staff was concerned. CSM also came up and chatted and hoped things would settle by the middle of the year. One feels for the staff a lot. Uncertainty makes it so difficult.
19 Mar 2020
Total posts 2
Is there any chance all flights between USA and Australia will cease to exist? If I'm correct, the only airline still booking between USA and Aus is United via San Fransisco. Everything else is either already cancelled or pending cancellation. I ask because I'm a US citizen on sabbatical in Melbourne. I was planning to stay here until July, but don't want to be stranded thousands of miles from home.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Dec 2016
Total posts 21
Just finished talking to Jetstar. Even although the flight is not going it hasn't been cancelled so no refund only 6 month credit. This is not good enough Surely they must change their protocol.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 12
Perhaps one lesson to be learned is that, if you are travelling to Europe in the future, book with a European airline covered by EU reimbursement/cancellation conditions. Flight cancelled by airline: money back. Who can argue with that?
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
Aren't flights leaving the EU covered by EU261 irrespective of the airline, so return flight may well be covered
Etihad - Etihad Guest
27 Jun 2019
Total posts 11
Due to fly internationally in April, flights will obviously be cancelled. However I am wanting to change the dates of my travel to the end of the year and not have to cancel and rebook using this Qantas voucher.
Anyone know if Qantas are waiving change fees for that example? I cannot find anything which seems a little unfair that they're making everyone cancel and rebook later..
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
28 Jun 2019
Total posts 78
It appears to be a game of chicken right now. Qantas won't formally cancel these flights in reservations yet (though I see they have - finally - stopped selling the same flights that otherwise still exist in my reservation). Until they do, you aren't "officially" entitled to a refund per the Conditions of Carriage.
Pretty obvious who has to blink first, however: they do. Just leave it until they have to cancel and then go for the refund. The entire blitz campaign at the moment is trying to push and even scare people into the voucher for fear of losing the ticket entirely (Qantas' recording on their service line uses wording like, "you must take action by 31 March to take advantage of this offer."). It's all a bit cheeky, of course, given these flights won't go ahead.
I understand the strategy from a financial and commercial standpoint. It's also likely to be fairly successful. It may not be great for goodwill, but it's debatable how relevant that is right now (people's memories are shorter than they say they are).
Legally, however, and setting aside the merits of the current strategy and all its bluster, you are entitled to a refund once these flights cancel, and we know they will. Some have reported success getting them already, but these are fairly limited anecdotes so far and nothing is concrete (Air NZ, for example, is publicly acknowledging the existence of the conditions of carriage they impose on their passengers and clearly stating those on cancelled flights can receive a refund. We don't see Qantas actively denying the same terms in their own contract, but they are certainly not proactively referring to and making you aware of your rights under it.)
The early bird doesn't always get the worm. Patience will prevail in this instance.
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
I totally agree with everything you have said, my concern though is the email which they sent out last night. I fear that there will be a long battle if they convert everyones flights into credit without their consent.
We are currently working through plans to ensure we have suitable options available for everyone, including providing new flight details where possible for impacted domestic customers and processing a flight credit for all other customers from early next week
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Mickey I changed mine and one went for refund and the other two vouchers with no issues.
19 Mar 2020
Total posts 4
I wholeheartedly agree. This is what I suspect and trying to point out to all those that jump the gun and settle for travel credit due to FOMO.
Just wondering have you heard any updates from them yet? Would it be wise to all before or after the conversion into travel credits imo?
Qantas is so sneaky with this one and it definitely has make us not want to fly with them ever!
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
28 Jun 2019
Total posts 78
I have not. My flight is next week so I'm not able to call in and they have not responded to my Twitter DM I sent yesterday morning. Will advise as soon as I hear.
Even if they convert the ticket into a voucher before I can, however, they would still have to instead provide a refund if you insist. I am hoping this won't be a painful process for those who do insist on it but I'm not holding my breath. They don't want a news story or class action made out of this. Never a good look failing to abide by the same terms and conditions that they're usually so happy to throw at you like a brick when the issue is in their favour.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Feb 2019
Total posts 9
Shark bait's experience in getting vouchers converted to full refunds, above (https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/coronavirus-qantas-cancels-all-international-flights#comments-18549) seems promising.
19 Mar 2020
Total posts 4
OK EVERYBODY I HAVE Successfully got a full refund! It went through just before my phone died after waiting for 2hours! I called because one of my flights just disappeared and presumably gone into credit. The refund was processed by offshore centre.
MY TIPS would be - be nice and polite, explain why it's not possible to take travel credit AND call them early morning. Eg 1-3am and be on hold for “50mins-1hour” which translates to 1.5-2 hours hold.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
I just had an email through to advise my flight was cancelled and converted to a voucher.
I noticed at the bottom of the voucher was a link to request a refund. There was no other option once I clicked so beware it you see it and you don't want a refund don't click it. It doesn't ask you to confirm yes or no. The only thing I'll say is they don't refund credit card charges. I'm about $80 short but I'm happy as I didn't need to speak to anyone and it gave me a confirmation that it had been accepted.
I'd be keen to see other people's experiences. This was for a flight departing 14th May. My partner hasn't received one yet for a 16th May departure. International travel.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
27 Jun 2019
Total posts 11
I received an email yesterday from QF saying my flight was cancelled and therefore would be converted to a voucher which came through this morning (really quickly for sure), although I am missing $7 NZD which I assume it is the CC fees that they don't give you, no clue though. I also notice a refund button at the bottom of the booking page on the voucher.
My question to you mickey27 is that you went for the refund, what were the ticket conditions that you originally purchased? Was your ticket a refundable one or? Example, I bought a QF sale fare which is non-refundable. Would I get any refund on this or no?
It sadly doesn't explain on the QF page anywhere especially if I hit refund, I don't want to lose my money that I could keep on a voucher if that makes sense.
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
mrkerr7474 - It was a business sale fare which had a $800 cancellation fee per person if I were to cancel. I was waiting out for them to cancel the flight so I didn't have to pay this
Etihad - Etihad Guest
27 Jun 2019
Total posts 11
mickey27 - And just to confirm you got everything back from QF apart from the CC fees? Just don't want to take the risk and lose everything or that's going to be a nightmare
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
mrkerr7474 - Well the confirmation page after I clicked refund was for the same value as the voucher, which was for the cost of the ticket (excluding CC fee).
16 Aug 2019
Total posts 12
I got an email overnight from Qantas with a booking reference no. but no flight details, saying that my booking has been created into a voucher, which is only valid until 21 Aug 2020 and is short the $140.00 credit card fees. The booking is for flights leaving Melb to London on 29 May (like others it was a business sale fare). I had not contacted Qantas about the booking but had been waiting for some communication from them about the cancellation. My email from them does not contain a button or link to convert the voucher into a refund. So I phoned the platinum call centre and was initially told that as Qantas hasn't cancelled the flight and I had chosen a credit voucher I couldn't have a refund. After some time and careful explaining I was able to make it clear that I had not initiated the credit voucher and would not be in a position to use it by 21/8/20, so as Qantas had cancelled the flight, I would like a refund instead. Eventually, I was told that I could have a refund, but that it would take 6-8 weeks to be processed, but that I would receive an email 'shortly' confiming it. Three hours later, no email and I am worried that the refund won't come through and I won't be able to use the credit by the expiry date. I don't understand why some bookings are being treated differently by Qantas.
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
Just to confirm 'Travelbugsbitten', my refund button was on the bottom of the voucher and not in the email. From the email I clicked the 'View your booking' button at the bottom of the email and it took me to my voucher. It was at the bottom of this page that the refund button appeared
They aren't making it easy for people and I think this is deliberate
16 Aug 2019
Total posts 12
Thanks mickey27. I went into the voucher and hit the refund button. The refund is not immediate however. The message from Qantas is
Your refund request is currently being processed for XXXXX (AUD).
Due to a high volume of refunds, were currently experiencing longer processing times. Thank you for your patience while we work through these.
Have you seen the refund on your credit card yet, or like me just had notification that the refund is being processed?
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
Same here Travelbugsbitten, just confirmation that it will be processed. Will keep checking the credit card to see when it posts but I'm not expecting it soon.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
27 Jun 2019
Total posts 11
I'm just more worried if I hit refund and they don't give me the refund or they keep part of it or what
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Mkerr7474 the voucher is a no cost voucher so better to hold it and then book when you know there will be flights. This may go on to next year.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
27 Jun 2019
Total posts 11
Only reason I was looking to just change the dates is that I booked during the Feb double SC promotion and if I change dates only, this promotion is still valid after confirming with QF. If I cancel to get a voucher, of course then the promotion is no longer valid which is what I'm trying to avoid and I'll need as many offers like the double SC for me to have a chance to retain for the following year. Yes first world problems but still trying to keep my booking valid to show I'll fly as soon as possibly allowed / available
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Just boarded return flight to Sydney from Melbourne and have 3 to 4 cabin crew as passengers sitting in business. Rare to see cabin crew as passengers in business. Interesting. Have always seen pilots.
19 May 2014
Total posts 12
This is normal sanj747
Staff & duty travel on domestic are given business seats if available. I'm guessing its because the cabin is empty that you are seeing more crew in the business section. Pilots will have a higher priority to crew
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Got it Mickey27. Just have never seen cabin crew up there on any of my travels. I suspect that given they are working after they get to Sydney keeping them in the midst of smaller groups is safer too.
20 Mar 2020
Total posts 1
Does anyone know if I can somehow keep my Codeshare flights with Emirates even if Qantas cancels international flights? I booked on the Qantas website as I am a frequent flyer. I fly out of London tomorrow, all going well, but I have a return currently booked for 20 April. I figure since Emirates are operating, some kind of conversion would be good, if I can prove it's essential travel. I haven't even received an email to say the return flight is at risk.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 12
The voucher system is clearly unreasonable as witnessed by this on-going discussion. When it comes to using the voucher, however, you MUST "purchase" a fare that is either equivalent, or higher, in value than the voucher. In the vast majority of cases you will therefore have to pay more for what could have been flights between the same two airports as your original schedule and in the same class of travel. At least SQ's vouchers will give you a no additional cost fare in the case of the latter.
07 May 2016
Total posts 17
Results of refund requests for Canada to Australia & back in May:
Qantas business class SFO-MEL(stopover)-CNS flights changed a few weeks ago to route via SYD. A few days ago the booking showed only SYD-MEL-CNS. Getting a refund of (Alaska) miles and US$ fees was easy through Alaska Airlines.
Westjet YVR-SFO - A couple of weeks ago I asked Airmiles to refund the C$ and reward points for this, was told this will be looked at in 45 days time.
Air NZ flights CNS-AKL-YVR still show as booked even though no such flights will operate - Air NZ have offered a refund less A$500 per ticket if we cancel so we said not to cancel. We'll wait until Air NZ cancels and try for a better refund then.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas will halt all international flights by the end of March