Dec 31 deadline approaches for Qantas Covid credit bookings

While Qantas has scrapped the expiry date on refunds from flights cancelled during the pandemic, there’s still a deadline for bookings made with that ‘Covid credit’ – and that deadline is December 31, 2023.

Yes, the clock is ticking fast and loud for you to use any outstanding Qantas credit to book domestic or international flights as far ahead as December 2024.

And as a sweetener, Qantas is offering a double serve of frequent flyer points on bookings made with Qantas travel credits.

Of course, you can also claim a full refund on any outstanding Qantas tickets for flights cancelled due to Covid restrictions, or for any existing Covid travel credit – and that option will remain “indefinitely”, the airline says.

So here’s a quick primer on using your Qantas travel credit.

1. Find out how much Qantas owes you

Following the waves of lockdowns, border closures and false starts across 2020-2021, it’s no surprise that many would-be travellers have simply lost track of their original booking details, as well as tickets on cancelled flights which have already been converted into travel credit.

It didn’t help that bookings were converted into credit under one of four confusing brands: Qantas Flight Credits, Qantas Pass, Qantas TravelPass and Qantas Credit.

The airline claims the Find My Credit tool on the Qantas website will simplify the process of helping passengers find how much Qantas travel credit they’re owed by using their original flight booking reference.

If you’d rather talk with a fellow human, call the Qantas Travel Credit Concierge team on 1300 171 505.

(For Jetstar flights, brace yourself and use Jetstar’s online Live Chat service.) 

2. Make a booking with your Qantas travel credit

Want to turn that Qantas travel credit into a Qantas ticket?

You can use any of the above-mentioned four types of Qantas travel credit (Qantas Flight Credits, Qantas Pass, Qantas TravelPass and Qantas Credit) into a Qantas ticket by booking up to 11.59pm (AEDT) on December 31, 2023 – and earn double Qantas Points into the deal.

Just be sure to register here for the special Double Points Offer before making your booking.

Qantas flights can usually be booked up to a maximum of 353 days in advance, so on December 31 2023 you’ll be able to booked as far ahead as December 19 2024 – although we hope you have better things to do on New Year’s Eve than be faffing around booking flights.

(You can also use Qantas Pass, Qantas TravelPass and Qantas Credit – but not Qantas Flight Credits – to make a hotel booking via the Qantas Hotels website.)

However, be warned that your travel credit could come with several restrictions depending on when your original Qantas booking was made, the type of fare you booked and if the travel was cancelled by you or Qantas.

For example, if you chose not to travel on a booking made after 30 September 2021 and instead asked for Qantas to issue Flight Credits, then those credits can only be used towards a new booking that’s equal to or higher than the value of your Flight Credit – in effect, you can only use your Flight Credit in one booking.

Here’s another potential gotcha: some Executive Traveller readers have discovered their Qantas travel credit can be used only on certain fare categories, in line with the type of ticket they originally booked.

If you initially booked a Business Flex ticket, and were later issued travel credit against that booking, that credit might only be valid to book another Business Flex ticket rather than a lower-priced Business Sale or Business Saver ticker.

These sort of restrictions are good reasons why you might decide to skip that re-booking altogether and go for a full refund of your travel credit. 

3. Request a refund on your Qantas travel credit

This is the path most people still holding Qantas travel credit will follow, and there’s no bothersome December 31 deadline or any other use-by date.

If you booked directly with Qantas – such as online or via the Qantas app – just call the Qantas travel credit hotline on 1300 668 885 or 1300 171 505 to request a refund. 

if your booking was made through a travel agent, you’ll need to speak with that travel agency.