Flight Centre refund policy – how to claim your money back
Can you get a refund from Flight Centre? Check eligibility first
Flight Centre’s refund policy depends heavily on who cancels the booking and what kind of fare you purchased:
✅ Provider Cancellations:
If your flight, cruise, or tour is cancelled by the provider (e.g. Qantas, Virgin, P&O), you’ll usually get a refund or credit. Flight Centre often waives its own cancellation fees in these cases.
⚠️ Customer-Initiated Cancellations:
If you cancel, expect Flight Centre’s cancellation fee:
- $50 per person (Domestic/Trans-Tasman)
- $300 per person (International)
- Plus any airline/hotel penalties
🚫 Non-Refundable Bookings:
Some airfares or deposits are completely non-refundable. Check for terms like “Instant Purchase” or “Non-Refundable” when booking.
⚖️ Australian Consumer Law (ACL):
Your statutory rights still apply. If a service wasn’t delivered (e.g. due to travel bans), you may still be entitled to a refund regardless of standard policy.
How to get a refund from Flight Centre
Here’s how to initiate a refund with Flight Centre:
- Contact Your Agent or Store:
Call or email your consultant, or use the 24/7 customer line at 1300 733 867. - Provide Booking Details:
Have your reference number, passenger names, and travel dates ready. Clearly state whether the supplier cancelled or you’re cancelling by choice. - Agent Cancels with Supplier:
Flight Centre will process cancellations with airlines, hotels, and tour providers on your behalf. - Confirm Refund Breakdown:
Your agent will explain any applicable fees and what you’ll get back. Ask for this in writing. - Wait for Supplier Refunds:
Flight Centre can’t issue your refund until the supplier sends the funds back. - Refund is Issued:
Once funds arrive, Flight Centre refunds you via your original payment method and sends confirmation. - Keep All Documentation:
Retain your cancellation invoice and refund receipt for your records.
Flight Centre’s refund timeframe - how long it takes
⏱️ Standard Timeline:
8–12 weeks - It typically takes 2–3 months to get your refund, depending on the supplier’s speed (e.g. airlines, cruise lines).
⚙️ Supplier Processing:
Some respond within weeks, others take months (especially for international bookings).
⚡ Fastest Case:
Simple domestic flights may refund in as little as 2–4 weeks if the airline is prompt.
📌 Flight Centre Processing:
Once the supplier refunds Flight Centre, they return the funds to you within a few business days.
🔄 Partial Refunds:
If your refund includes multiple components, you may receive each one as it’s processed. Ask your agent if this is possible.
📞 Delayed?
If 12+ weeks pass, follow up with your agent or escalate to customer support. You can also consider a chargeback if appropriate.
Flight Centre’s refund methods - how you'll get your money back
💳 Original Payment Method:
Refunds go to the card or bank account used to pay.
🎫 Flight Centre Credit:
In some cases (like partial refunds or if you choose to cancel), they may offer a credit voucher - sometimes with cancellation fee waivers.
🎁 Gift Cards:
If you used a Flight Centre gift card, any refund tied to that will come back as another gift card or travel credit, not cash.
🔒 No Alternate Accounts:
Refunds can’t go to a different card or person’s account.
📤 Delivery Times:
- Card refunds: 1–5 business days
- Bank transfers: 1–3 business days
- Gift cards: sent via email or post
💱 Foreign Currency Notes:
Refunds go back in the original transaction currency. Final amount may vary slightly due to exchange rate changes.
Common refund issues with Flight Centre
🕒 Slow Refunds:
It’s normal for refunds to take 8–12 weeks. Frustration grows when communication lags. Follow up regularly and escalate if needed.
💸 Unexpected Fees:
Many are caught out by the $50/$300 per person cancellation fee. Ask clearly about fees before booking.
❌ Credit-Only Situations:
If the airline/tour provider only offers credit, Flight Centre can’t force a cash refund. Always check fare conditions upfront.
💰 Refund Discrepancies:
Your refund may be less than you paid due to non-refundable components or third-party fees. Ask for a full breakdown in writing.
📞 Poor Communication:
Agents sometimes go quiet, especially if they’re waiting on suppliers. Be persistent, and use Flight Centre’s customer care team if needed.
🔄 Card/Billing Issues:
Paid cash in-store? You’ll need to provide bank details. Used a now-closed card? Tell them ASAP to avoid delays.
Need a refund from Flight Centre? Request it instantly!
Real Flight Centre refund cases – what worked for other customers
Smooth Refund – “No Drama”
A domestic flight was cancelled by the airline. A refund (minus $50 fee) was issued within 4 weeks. The customer praised the agent for handling everything.
Escalation Required – “Ignored Until I Spoke Up”
A customer was blocked via email and ignored for 3 weeks. They only got a refund after threatening to escalate to the ACCC.
Expert Tip – “Wait for Airline to Cancel”
A frequent flyer waited instead of cancelling early and avoided the $300 fee because the airline cancelled first.
How Flight Centre Refund Policy Compares to Competitors
- Flight Centre charges cancellation fees ranging from $50 to $300 per person. You’ll get support from a human agent, but refunds are slow - typically taking 8 to 12 weeks. Bookings can be made online or in-store, with service tailored more toward those who want face-to-face help.
- Webjet generally doesn’t charge cancellation fees for most bookings. However, refund support is limited and mostly self-managed. Refunds take around 4 to 12 weeks, and everything is handled online. It’s cheaper upfront, but expect less guidance.
- Expedia doesn’t charge cancellation fees for flights and processes everything online. Support is limited to digital channels, but refund speeds can be quicker than others, depending on the airline or service involved. Automation helps, but there’s no local agent.
- Qantas Direct offers no cancellation fees and direct refund support through their own team. Refunds are faster (usually within 2 to 6 weeks) and everything can be managed online without third-party delays.
- Helloworld applies either a percentage-based or fixed cancellation fee. Agent support is available, but refunds can take 8 to 16 weeks. Bookings are generally done through physical storefronts. In some cases, their fees are even higher than Flight Centre’s.
Summary: Flight Centre gives you hands-on agent support, but it comes at the cost of cancellation fees and longer refund times. In contrast, airlines like Qantas or OTAs (like Webjet and Expedia) are usually faster and cheaper, but offer less personalised help.
Official Flight Centre Refund Resources & Links
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