Just posted this on my site and then realised it's a useful bargain to those of us who actually wished we could use the credit in 2025 for a trip, given I have a newborn and won't be travelling much for a bit, so sharing deal here.
Anyway, here is the detail:
The Qantas Group will remove the expiry date on COVID travel credits1 that were due to run out at the end of this year.
Following this decision, Qantas customers with COVID credits can request a cash refund2, and Jetstar customers can use their COVID vouchers for flights, indefinitely.
Today’s announcement makes Qantas’ COVID credit policy one of the most flexible of any airline in the world, and it follows three prior deadline extensions. Some airlines have already expired their travel credits and many more run out completely at the end of this year.
To encourage more people to reconnect with their credits, from 4 September 2023 Qantas is offering double the standard number of Frequent Flyer Points for any flights booked with a Qantas COVID credit before 31 December 2023. Due to system limitations, Qantas COVID credit can’t be converted into a travel booking after this date, but can be taken as a refund at any time.
The Qantas Group will continue its regular reminders to those customers who still hold COVID credits, including emails, text messages, phone calls and advertisements. Qantas is also working with travel agents to coordinate refunds for travel not booked directly through the airline3.
ADVICE FOR CUSTOMERS
Qantas
Find your travel credit – Use the ‘Find My Credit’ tool on qantas.com
Request a refund – Call 1300 668 885
Use your travel credit – Visit qantas.com/travelcredit for specific advice based on your type of travel credit (most credits can be used online at qantas.com)
For more help – Speak to our Travel Credit Concierge team on 1300 171 505. If your original booking was made through a travel agent or third party website, contact them directly.
Jetstar
Find your voucher – Contact us by Live Chat
Use your voucher – Visit Jetstar.com to book using your voucher (vouchers can be redeemed on all Jetstar fares, including sale and Club Jetstar fares, and on domestic or international trips)
Check your available balance – Use the Voucher Balance Checker on Jetstar.com
Extend your voucher – Jetstar customers can extend their vouchers indefinitely by contacting LiveChat or the contact centre after the voucher has expired.
If you’ve already booked travel with a Qantas COVID credit or Jetstar COVID voucher, you don’t need to do anything and there’s no change to your trip.
FAQ
Can you automatically refund people’s credit card rather than following a process through Qantas?
Given bookings that have been converted into COVID credits date back to 2019, most credit cards used have expired by now, meaning the funds will bounce back if we attempt to refund onto them.
Why can’t Qantas post a cheque?
Aside from cheques being outmoded, people aren’t asked for their postal address when they book a flight. While we have postal addresses for some Frequent Flyers, these aren’t regularly updated.
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For Qantas customers, a ‘COVID Credit’ refers to travel credits for bookings up to and including 30 September 2021. For Jetstar customers, a ‘COVID Voucher’ refers to all Jetstar Airways vouchers that have an expiry date of 31 December 2023 (which will be extended on request). ↩
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Beyond 31 December 2023, Qantas COVID credits won’t be directly convertible into travel and can only be refunded, due to system limitations. At any point Qantas travel can be booked up to a maximum of 353 days in advance, which reflects system range. On 31 December 2023, this will mean travel can be booked up to 19 December 2024. ↩
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Customers seeking a refund of a Qantas COVID credit after 31 Dec 2023 from a booking made through a travel agent, may only be paid the amount that Qantas received from the Agent for that booking. ↩
Qantas sold tickets for flights that had already been cancelled!! So says the ACCC.
Unconscionable, fraudulent conduct.