• expired

Free Flight Cancellation on Jetstar (6 Months to Book/12 Months to Travel) & Qantas (Voucher) until December 31 2021

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Fee Free cancellation in form of a Voucher. If you had a fare you were going to abandon this could be of use. I would expect Virgin Australia Group to follow soon. Still nothing on Status freezes but I would imagine that will be announced in the future

Qantas and Jetstar customers given option to cancel flights and receive travel credit
Applies to customers with existing and new bookings on domestic and international flights

ADVICE FOR CUSTOMERS

Customers should not call the contact centres. Due to high demand, we are experiencing long call wait times.

To access this offer:

Qantas Anyone holding a Qantas ticket for travel before 31 July 2020 can get a flight credit and retain the full value of your booking. You need to do this by 30 April 2020. The flight credit is valid for booking and travel by 31 December 2021. This gives you more than 18 months to plan, rebook and travel.

If you already have a Qantas flight credit issued on or after 31 January 2020, this will also be automatically extended but may take a few weeks to update in our system.

From 9am tomorrow Monday 16 March 2020, Jetstar customers should go to Manage My Booking on Jetstar.com. Please do not call the Jetstar contact centre before that time should you need further assistance.
Voucher Valid: Book within 6 months of issue. Travel within 12 months

**If you have reward point booking, this can be cancelled fee free. If you have booked via a third party site (Aunt Betty etc), please contact these specific companies. I strongly do advise against booking on those sites as in these situations of change (regardless weather, virus) they are difficult to deal with.

*I will add in details for Virgin Australia if they follow tonight or tomorrow morning

Update: Extended further to Dec 2021, thanks dealbot

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closed Comments

    • edited

    • +2

      That means if you booked more than a year ago, your credit is worthless.

      • +2

        It is impossible. QF take any booking 330days ahead.

        • i see. So you have 35 days to travel. Except it expires 6 months after original booking, so you don't get to use the credit at all?

    • -1

      I assume that means 12 months from your flight dates.. not when you made the booking.

      • Nope - from when you made the booking.

  • +1

    will they give cash refunds if your destination is put on the 'do not fly' list?

  • A bit ambiguous - what if you booked flights & accomodation with Jetstar? It only really talks about 'flights' & not 'holidays' or 'packages'

  • I've booked Bali flights and accommodation via jetstar package deal. I wonder if they will refund both

    • I am in the same boat, booked for late next month

      • Currently JQ is flying to Bali still, can’t see them cancelling these flights unless a government shit down

        • +2

          Whoa, no need for profanity

          Maybe the government has been buying up all the toilet paper, in preparation for this sh*t down you speak of

          • @hayne: I ain’t even going to edit that.
            Have an up vote ! ☝️

  • +2

    Among other conditions, "Qantas Credit Vouchers can only be redeemed on bookings where the new fare amount (which excludes carrier charges, fees and taxes) is equal to or higher than the original fare and the conditions of the new fare are met"

    So unable to to just use the 'credit' of a large international fare in dribs and drabs for local domestic flights throughout the year.
    Waiting until March 30 when a cancellation/further policy change has hopefully occurred by then seems to be the best approach.

    • This seems like a very important point!

  • I’m hoping Emirates or Scoot does the same. I was planning to head to Singapore next week.

  • I've booked a holiday in Tassi during the Easter break.
    Not sure, should i cancel it or go ahead…

    • In the same boat. We are mainly going for scenery, but who knows if by then we'll be required to just stay in our homes. Would rather be at my actual home if that happens.

      • Omg… Me too. Such a dilemma

  • +1

    anyone know what will happen with Qantas tickets bought with Amex Travel Credits ?

    • call Amex

      If flights were booked through a travel agency or third-party website (eg. Webjet, Booking.com), customers will need to contact them directly to make changes to their booking.

      • +1

        i did call amex.. (after waiting a long time on the phone)..

        who in turn told me to call Qantas.. I tried calling Qantas but the recorded queue message said there was 5hours queue time ahead of me.

        I went to Qantas.com to manage my booking.. and it doesn't let me cancel it and tells me to call travel agent. :(

        /sigh

        • I would wait. I got booking with AMEX as well.

          As this just came out lot of people on both sides are trying to figure. As you bought with AMEX good chance is this might also be covered with their travel insurance but that remains to be seen.

          • @klownvandamn: As to the travel insurance comment, I would also check your Amex travel PDS. A number of travel insurers have an “excluding pandemic” clause in the PDS. I know mine does

        • +5

          The advice you received from Amex to call Qantas is incorrect unless your flight departure is imminent. Qantas will not assist you if your flight departure is not imminent. They will direct you to your agent.

          You need to speak to Amex Travel. The person you spoke to won't have been from Amex Travel, just one of the normal customer service agents who won't know anything about the travel policies.

          Amex Travel are not open weekends. They are open between Mon-Fri 7am-5pm AEST. Call back then.

  • Phew, my OS flight is tomorrow, they denied a refund and credit note when I contacted them last night.

    • Well, this was before the new govt policy of 14 days self isolation. They will provide you with credit note now, but good luck getting through to them now!

  • +1

    It just killed my double status credit run. Bloody virus I tell you !!

    • in previous years, as long as the PNR remains the same and youre travelling within the double status credit time frame eg before march 2021, your status credits should still post per the offer. assuming youre changing, not cancelling that is.

      • That has changed long back. Now the systems looks at the “ticketed” component. PNR only holds the reservation. Been there done that by buying multiple gift vouchers. Lol

        • It was hinted on AFF that there is still some hit or miss success with gift vouchers, despite the change in promo T&Cs a couple of years ago.

          If that is true, then it would appear that some (but not all) double SCs are still being awarded on the basis of PNR creation date.

    • Status run. First world problem.

  • +2

    I travel at 11:30am tomorrow with Jetstar and have already checked-in. I'll be pressing my luck tomorrow with a 9am commencement of this plan.

  • I'm not seeing any voucher option for my Japan trip, the departure date is before 31st May but the return date is after, I wonder if that's why?

    • +2

      Effective 9am tomorrow you can make the change

    • Qantas flights vouchers are available now (I just processed mine), Jetstar’s available tomorrow. As per the release…
      To access this offer:
      Qantas customers should visit Manage Booking on Qantas.com, select ‘Cancel’ and then ‘Voucher’.
      From 9am tomorrow Monday 16 March 2020, Jetstar customers should go to Manage My Booking on Jetstar.com. Please do not call the Jetstar contact centre before that time should you need further assistance.

  • The barrage of news is making me reevaluate whether I should stil go to Melbourne on Thursday (despite Download festival being cancelled) or just take the flight vouchers..

    • I was in the same boat. Was going to Download and footy but with both cancelled and high likelihood of plenty of shops/restaurants being closed, I've decided to pull the pin.

    • You should avoid all non essential travel.

    • -2

      "The barrage of news is making me…"
      This is your problem. The Media industry sells drama and controversy. Try switching it off for a couple of weeks and see how your view of the world changes.

      • +1

        I think it's one thing if you're getting all your 'information' from the daily mail, but when you're reading reports from the WHO, looking at data tables of affected countries and their infection rates and listening to lectures by disease specialists, it's an entirely different and valid concern to have.

        • -1

          Nah it's all the same. The 'Disease Specialist' is only one small part of the puzzle, this is where Climate Alarmism gets it so wrong.
          The major impacts are usually economic and political, and these factors are driven by a hysterical media which profits from controversy.
          Look at the Toilet Paper situation, do you think mass coverage by the media made this situation better or worse?

  • +2

    I had a Jetstar flight to Sydney this morning as I was meant to depart on a cruise out of Sydney today that got cancelled. Didn’t take the flight because there was no point.

    I contacted them yesterday and was told bad luck, now today the policy changes ! I reckon I have no chance of getting this mornings flight back as a voucher, what a difference a day can make 🤨

    • how much did you lose?

      • About $700, flights for 2 people BNE to SYD return with a decent amount of baggage.

        • +2

          that's gotta hurt! sorry to hear…

          • +1

            @first in line: Yeah pretty gutted, still have to try and get a refund sorted for the cruise too…

        • If that's the only thing you will lose in this crisis, count your lucky stars.

  • I guess this is result of the major shellacking they got with their previous announcement! Have to give them some credit.

  • My suggestion.. wait for the terms to be clarified. If you take the credit….then I think you lose any chance of a refund in the future. It is still unclear if the credit is valid for 12 months from 1) when you originally purchased the tickets, or 2) from when you ask for a credit. Secondly… it is unclear when youR flights can be booked for… 1) within 12 months of when you originally paid for the original tickets, 2) 12 months from when you claim the credit, or 3) for flights within ~11 months from when you “use the credit”

    • +3

      There will be no chance of a refund. Take the voucher.

      Voucher valid from the millisecond you apply for it

      Don’t confuse people

      • You still have the option to cancel, and get a refund after they have taken the cancellation fee out. (Depending on the conditions of your ticket).

      • +1

        With Jetstar at least you can get a full refund if they change your flight to one more than 6 hours away from the original flight time. Happened to me last week luckily. Had to call them up to find out the policy though.

      • Voucher is not valid from the millisecond you apply for it. I cancelled to a voucher about 6 hours ago and I'm still waiting.

        If you're relying on this voucher to instantly rebook, be aware.

      • I'd imagine there is a chance to get a refund if they end up cancelling your flight.

  • +2

    This would have been so useful had this offer started at the end of Feb - had to cancel my international trip 2 weeks ago and copped $1200 of cancellation fees :(

    • +1

      insane. I mean you. not the policy

  • -5

    is anyone selling voucher for very cheap?

    • +1

      No. Both Jetstar and Qantas credit vouchers can only be used by the passenger(s) named on the original booking.

  • Looks like Virgin are offering free date changes (no credit from what I can see). This is not as good.

    https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fare-types/book-with-confidence/?icmpid=va|c_crm|gl_hp|con|int_chng|na

    • Same policy for a few days

      I would expect them to match this tonight or in the morning

      • Ahh sorry, didn't realise. I hope they match it!

        • They now have :)

    • Only for international flights. Waiting for something to accommodate for domestic flight bookings

  • So um my flights booked on the 2nd of June lol. They've also changed my flight times by 5 mins. Any chance they'll let mine through us reckon? 😁

    • Would love to know too… I’ve got flights booked on the 1st June… wanting to change those too!

      • +2

        May the ozbargain force be with us both tomorrow

        • +1

          Can anyone give an update with this? :)

    • +1

      As long as you haven't accepted your schedule change of 5 mins, this may give you an out. Try to cancel for full cash refund on this basis and see how you go.

      • +1

        Yup, haven't accepted the change in schedule. Arriving 5 mins early back to Melbourne is totally unacceptable!

        • Ha! Mine has changed by about 3 hours, which is actually unacceptable as it will result in me getting my 9 month old son home at around midnight… which is not cool…

  • +2

    For those interested, Air New Zealand is offering a free flight change or your fare held in credit for 12 months.

  • +1

    thanks Op

  • +4

    So I’ve got a flight out on the 15th of May and my return flight to Melbourne is on the 2nd of June. Do I get both flights returned as a voucher?

    • +1

      That’s a good question let us know how you get on

    • I hope they look at travel start date, which is within the 31st May period and offer you full credit.

    • I'm in a similar situation, so I'm eager to know too. I would've thought/hoped that if its on one booking, they'd refund the whole thing

    • +1

      Similar problem here. I haven't been able to find an answer yet and I'm not sure I want to be on hold for 5 hours to find out.

      • Yep - still in the same boat

    • +1

      Can anyone give an update with this? :) Were they able to receive refund/credit if return flight is after May 31st?

  • I recently paid fees to change my flights in Apr to Oct. DRW-SIN. Is there a way I can get my fees back?

  • +3

    Offer available until 31 March 2020 for travel up to 31 May 2020.

    This is pretty cheeky from Qantas - basically forcing a decision now as opposed to allowing passengers to wait it out and see how it goes.

    Depending on your destination, things could be extremely different (for better or for worse) in 2 months time.

    • I agree more certainty would be nice, but you'll probably find that they will extend that closer to the time.

  • So I'm feeling dumb - can I just check I'm reading this right?

    For jetstar, it says: book within 6 months of issue. Travel within 12 months.

    So that means book within 6 months of claiming the voucher for travel within 12 months of when you book? Eg. If i claim end March i can book up to end sept, to a 12 month window up to end sept 2021 (if i book end sept 2020)?

    • Book within 6 months of voucher issue. Travel within 12 months of voucher issue.

      • +2

        The page says:

        For Jetstar customers, travel vouchers can be redeemed in one booking only within 6 months of issue, for travel within 12 months of new booking date.

        This seems to suggest if i get the voucher in march but don't book till June, the window is June 2020 to June 2021

  • +2

    Anyone having issues with cancelling online? I go to cancel but the link is greyed out and says to 'call your Qantas office'. Wait time is over 5 hours and I have a flight this week. Note I booked directly with Qantas with Classic Reward points.

    • Same here, booked with Classic Reward for flight to Christchurch on 29th March. Guess I’ll wait and see in the upcoming week.

  • +2

    I'd like to know how this works for points+pay bookings. Is the voucher the cash amount and I get the points back?

  • booked to go to japan in the end of April, guessing i should cancel, getting this back, most of my hotels will refund me for cancellation, will be out a little over grand for the hotels that don't have cancellation, activity's and train pass… this so frustrating, as work originally said i could go, I'll just have to do a paid quarantine when i get back… but at the rate things are going japan will probably have travel restrictions soon

    • +2

      Many hotels in Japan will allow refund without penalty even for non-refundable reservation now due to COVID-19. I know this because I just got refunded for a non-refundable reservation in April. Contact the hotel and/or Expedia/Agoda/whoever you book with, explain the situation and ask if they could give you a waiver. Expedia/Agoda etc will contact the hotel about the request, if hotel approves, you get full refund.

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