Changing a flight date, correcting a name’s spelling, canceling a ticket at the last minute… These are situations every traveler encounters at some point, and at Qantas, Australia’s national airline, these procedures are governed by specific rules and fees that have recently changed.
A new Qantas flight change fee schedule
Qantas has quietly increased its change and cancellation fees on Australian domestic flights. The standard fee, previously set at AU$110, has risen to AU$121, an increase of approximately 10%.
For economy class bookings
Specifically, this fee of AU$121 applies in several situations to Economy and Premium Economy tickets:
– Changing the date or time of a flight booked at a Red e-Deal fare (the lowest fare);
– Converting a canceled Red e-Deal ticket into travel credit, then using that credit for a new booking;
– Canceling an Economy Flex ticket for a refund;
– Changing the name on a ticket.
For business class bookings
Good news for business travelers or those purchasing more flexible fares: Business Class tickets and certain premium Flex fares retain more flexible, or even free, change conditions, depending on the applicable fare rules.
Fees that vary significantly depending on the Qantas ticket type and destination
Contrary to popular belief, there is no single, fixed Qantas change fee. The amount depends on several factors:
The fare type: a restrictive fare like the Red e-Deal always incurs a fee, while a Flex or Business fare often allows free changes (only the price difference, if any, remains due).
The destination: international flights have different fare structures than Australian domestic flights, with amounts that can increase significantly depending on the geographical area and booking class.
The timing of the request: changing a ticket several weeks before departure does not always entail the same conditions as a last-minute change.
Combined fares: when a ticket combines several fare types on the same journey, the most restrictive rule applies to the entire booking if several segments are changed in a single transaction.
In all cases, in addition to the change fee itself, the price difference between the old and new fares is almost always added, if the latter is more expensive.
Changing the name on a Qantas ticket: A special procedure
This is one of the most frequently asked questions from travelers, and for good reason: a simple typo at the time of booking can, in theory, prevent boarding if the name doesn’t exactly match the identity document.
Qantas clearly distinguishes between two situations:
Minor corrections
A typo, such as a first/last name reversal, the addition or correction of a middle name, or changes of up to approximately three letters, is generally handled without a service charge, provided it occurs before the start of the journey and the ticket has not yet been used. The airline even offers a “same-day” correction policy: if the error is spotted immediately after booking, it can be corrected free of charge until midnight on the day of purchase, with the only remaining charge being any fare difference.
Major Correction
A name change (marriage, divorce, adoption, or any change affecting the passenger’s identity) is handled differently: it’s no longer a simple correction, and fees do apply. The airline requires official documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order), then reissues the ticket, applying the same fee as for a flight change to the fare in question, not a universal fixed fee as is sometimes stated.
In practical terms, for a Qantas domestic Economy Red e-Deal ticket, this fee corresponds to the current standard fare of 121 Australian dollars, plus any price difference if the booking class changes.
On international flights, the options are more limited: a simple name change is generally not permitted, except in specific cases approved on a case-by-case basis by the airline. A ticket is not transferable to another person.
What about cancellation fees?
Canceling a ticket is not the same as changing it, and Qantas applies different rules depending on the original fare:
Red e-Deal fare (the most economical): Cancellations generally do not entitle you to a cash refund. The ticket price is converted into travel credit, which can be used for a future booking. However, this credit is subject to a fee when used on a new flight, currently set at AU$121 for domestic tickets.
Economy Flex fare: Cancellations allow for a refund, but also incur a fee, the same amount as that applied to flight changes (AU$121 on applicable domestic fares).
Business or premium Flex fares: Conditions are generally more flexible, with free cancellations or reduced fees depending on the applicable fare rules.
Also note: when a cancellation or modification is caused by the company itself (cancelled flight, major schedule change, operational disruption), no change or cancellation fees are charged to the passenger; Qantas takes care of reissuing the ticket or refunding it free of charge in this case.
Seat change fees with Qantas
On Qantas, seat selection may be free or subject to a fee depending on the ticket type and Frequent Flyer status. The same applies to the fees for any seat changes:
Changing seats after booking:
Possible up to 24 hours before the flight (if unchecked), with a surcharge if the new seat is in a higher-priced zone.
Fees on Award Tickets (Classic Flight Rewards)
For tickets paid for with Qantas points (award tickets):
– Change (date/flight change): 5,000 points per passenger, whether on a Classic Flight Reward or Classic Plus Flight Reward ticket.
– Cancellation: 6,000 points per passenger.
These fees are in addition to any differences in taxes, fees, and surcharges if the new booking is more expensive. If a ticket combines a standard (paid) fare with a points reservation, the more restrictive of the two conditions applies to changes and cancellations.
Changes are subject to availability: the new flight must have an available Classic Flight Reward seat in the same cabin.