Which airlines will waive fees for Brisbane flight changes?

By danwarne, January 13 2011

Need to change your flights to or from Brisbane due to the ongoing flooding?

Australian Business Traveller has contacted all the major airlines flying to and from Brisbane Airport to find out the exact details of their change policy following the Queensland floods.

Domestic Australian airlines

Qantas

Qantas is allowing passengers fee-free changes to routes that don't transit via affected airports in Brisbane; rebook to other flights; get a 12 month credit for the value of their flight if they want to cancel; get refunds for flights ticketed before 11th January; or delay travel until later. More information at the Qantas website.

Virgin Blue

Change fees waved for people flying in or out of Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane or Gold Coast, with 12 month credits available, or the option to change to a different destination or date. More information at the Virgin Blue website.

Tiger Airways

Responding to Australian Business Traveller's enquiry, a Tiger Airways spokeswoman said, "Tiger Airways offers free of charge flexible option for passengers to change Queensland flights from Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Mackay and Sunshine Coast." The airline is offering to rebook to another flight within 7 days of departure, or to provide a full credit valid for three months.

Passengers can make changes at the airport, via the airline's booking lines: 03 9335 3033 or 03 9999 2888, or on Tiger Airways' website.

International airlines

Air New Zealand

Providing free ticket changes to any other Air NZ destination without change fees; 12 month credits for flights that need to be cancelled; date changes on tickets without penalty or fare difference. However, cash refunds will not be provided on tickets sold as non-refundable. More information at the Air New Zealand website.

Air Pacific

Date changes will be permitted without any fee for flights up to 28 February 2011, and no fare differences will be charged. The airline offers full refunds for unused tickets and part refunds if the ticket has been partially used. More information on their Australian contact number: 1800 230 150.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay told Australian Business Traveller that "Despite severe flooding in south-east Queensland, Cathay Pacific flights to and from Brisbane are currently operating as normal. However, should passengers due to depart within the next 72 hours need to defer their travel, Cathay Pacific will waive the rebooking fee if another Cathay Pacific flight is booked for travel on or before 31 January 2011." More information at the Cathay Pacific website.

Emirates

"As a result of the flooding and heavy rain in Queensland, Emirates has waived all fees and penalties for any customers who need to postpone orcancel their flights from or to Brisbane Airport," an Emirates spokeswoman told Australian Business Traveller.

"Emirates' Brisbane flights are continuing to operate as scheduled, but those passengers who need to change their flight bookings can contact Emirates on 1300 303 777 or their travel agent."

Tickets must be re-issued by 31st January 2011. Rebooking must be made onto an available flight from or to Brisbane for travel by 31st March 2011, or within 90 days of the original departure date for return travel from Brisbane. If required the validity of the ticket may be extended. More information at the Emirates website.

Jetstar

"Passengers affected by the Queensland floods can, without fee, change their flights, reroute the booking or organise a refund. Passengers can contact the customer care line on 131 538," Jetstar told Australian Business Traveller. More information at the Jetstar website.

Lufthansa

When contacted by Australian Business Traveller, Lufthansa said: "All Lufthansa flights to/from Brisbane are code-share flights and are operating normally at this time. Nevertheless passengers are urged to check the flight status with the operating carrier before starting their trip. Lufthansa currently handles queries re this matter and affected passengers on a case to case basis. Lufthansa will continue to monitor the flood conditions and is asking affected passengers to contact their Lufthansa Service Centre with any inquires." For more information call Lufthansa's service centre on 1300 655 727.

Malaysian Airlines

No change fees for changing date of travel until 31 January 2011, however, passengers must provide supporting documentation that they are originating from the flood affected regions. Cancellation fees plus all other penalties will remain unchanged. Malaysian has yet to confirm to Australian Business Traveller what its policy is for people flying into Brisbane who may wish to change their flights. For more information call the Malaysia Airlines booking line on 13 26 27.

Pacific Blue

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines will waive administrative fees for refunds, rebookings or re-routings, for customers holding confirmed tickets (including KrisFlyer redemption tickets) issued on or before 12 January 2011. The waiver applies to flights operated by Singapore Airlines to and from Brisbane for the period of 12 January 2011 to 26 January 2011 (both dates inclusive). Customers in Australia can call 13 10 11; if you're still in Singapore awaiting the return flight home, call +65 6223 8888; or visit the Singapore Airlines website.

Thai Airways

Thai's spokesman tells Australian Business Traveller: "Passengers departing BNE holding Thai tickets issued in Australia may postpone travel with no revalidation/reissue fees but must depart by 28 Feb 2011. Passengers from flood affected areas holding Thai tickets issued in Australia, departing BNE between now and 28 February 2011 can receive a full refund with no fees if they do not wish to travel."

"Overseas passengers currently holding reservations from BNE on or before 28 February returning to their point of origin will be allowed to change date with no fee within the validity of the ticket and in the same booking class."

More information: Thai's Australian customer service centre on 1300 651 960.

United Airlines

United Airlines does not fly its own planes to Brisbane, but codeshares with Air New Zealand. However, any passengers ticketed under United flight numbers will still need to organise any changes through United.

"Should affected passengers need to make changes to immediate travel plans, United Airlines is assisting them and is waiving change fees" an airline spokesperson told Australian Business Traveller.

For more information, United's Australian contact number is 13 1777.

Virgin Atlantic

Change fees are waived for people flying in or out of flood affected areas who need to change their plans. For more information, contact Virgin Atlantic on 1300 727 340.

Can we help?

Have you found it difficult to get change fees waived? Are the airlines living up to their promises?

As Australia's leading independent Web site for business travellers, Australian Business Traveller will do our best to represent your situation to the airline.

Send email to [email protected] and please include specific details (such as your booking or passenger reservation number, relevant dates, names of anyone you spoke with when you first complained to the company, etc) to help us look into your specific case. Please also include your real name, email address and a business hours phone number (mobile preferred).

Australian Business Traveller's continuing flood coverage

For up to the minute coverage of the flooding in Brisbane and Queensland, follow our @AusBT Twitter account and check back on our homepage at www.ausbt.com.au.

Travel plans around Brisbane or the affected areas? We've contacted all airlines flying to and from Brisbane to find out which airlines are waiving change fees for Brisbane flights.

Will your credit card travel insurance cover changes and lost luggage? Check out our full insurance coverage.