Still waiting on a Qantas refund?
Can you get a refund from Qantas? Check eligibility first
Refund eligibility hinges on your fare class, booking type, and whether you booked directly. Here’s the quick breakdown:
- Red e-Deal (Discount Economy): Non-refundable. Only taxes/charges refunded.
- Flex (Flexible Economy): Refundable minus a cancellation fee (typically ~$99–$119).
- Premium Economy: Refundable with varying fees (check fare rules).
- Business & First Class: Fully or mostly refundable. Often no fee.
- Classic Flight Rewards: Points refunded (minus fee in points). Taxes refunded in cash.
- Points Plus Pay: Refund policy depends on the fare class you booked into.
- 24-hour Cooling-Off: Qantas Frequent Flyers who book direct can cancel within 24 hours for a full refund (if 30+ days before departure).
📝 Exclusions include pre-paid extras (e.g. seats, bags), third-party bookings, expired tickets (13-month rule), and no-shows.
How to get a refund from Qantas
- Access Manage Booking: Enter your reference and surname on the Qantas website/app.
- Click “Cancel/Voucher”: Only available if ticket is eligible and issued.
- Choose Refund or Credit: The system shows your refund or voucher options.
- Confirm and Submit: Review any fees. Follow prompts to finalise the request.
- Check for Confirmation: Email confirmation will show if refund is being processed or credit issued.
- Can’t Cancel Online? Call Qantas (13 13 13 AU) or use the Help Form.
📌 Tip: If Qantas cancelled your flight, you’re entitled to a full cash refund. Don’t settle for credit if you prefer money back.
Qantas’s refund timeframe - how long it takes
- Typical processing: 80–90% of refunds now complete in under a week.
- Card/bank delays: Once approved, funds appear in 2–10 business days.
- Complex cases: Might take longer (eg. multi-city bookings, upgrades, group tickets).
- Qantas’ max window: Officially says allow up to 4 weeks before escalating.
- Delays? After 10 business days, follow up with your booking reference.
📈 Refund speeds have improved significantly post-2022.
Qantas’s refund methods - how you'll get your money back
- Original Payment Method: Refund goes back to the same credit card, PayPal, etc.
- Flight Credit: Voucher issued via email, valid for 12 months (or more, case-by-case).
- Points Refunds: Classic Rewards return points to your QFF account + refund of taxes.
- Mixed Payments: Split refund to each original method (card + voucher).
- Third-Party Bookings: Refunded to the booking agent, not you, so follow up with them.
Note: If your card is closed, inform your bank. It will route funds to your new card/account.
Common refund issues with Qantas
- ❌ Only receiving tax back on Red e-Deals (non-refundable fare).
- ❌ Refund delay due to system bug or agent error (common on multi-passenger bookings).
- ❌ Expecting a refund, receiving a credit instead, especially during disruption periods.
- ❌ “Cancel” button greyed out due to unissued ticket or BPAY payment delay.
- ❌ Partial or missing refund when cancelling for multiple people.
- ❌ Refund appears low, due to cancellation fees or excluded extras.
- ❌ Confusion around refunding credits vs. actual cash (especially for COVID vouchers).
📌 Tip: Always read confirmation emails and follow up with Qantas if something seems off.
Qantas cases submitted through Ajust
I changed my Qantas flights and was told I’d get $332 back since the new fare was cheaper. That was months ago. After chasing them up, I found out they refunded themselves via BPay-something I don’t even have. They admitted the error and promised to pay me properly, but I’m still waiting. - Edward
Qantas cancelled my Sydney to Brisbane flight an hour before departure. I had a return ticket, but they would only refund both legs and charge me a fee. I had to rebook the exact same return flight at a higher price, plus a change fee. It’s not right, I wouldn’t have had to do any of this if they hadn’t cancelled. - Andrew
I cancelled my Qantas flights within the 24-hour cooling-off window expecting a full refund. I even got confirmation emails and saw the refund pending in my bank. But Qantas ended up processing the old, more expensive fare instead. Despite hours on the phone and evidence from my bank, they say nothing’s wrong. I’m still out $2,870. - Alysia
I was promised a refund from Qantas after they downgraded our booking. I even have it in writing. That was last July. Since then, they’ve closed one complaint without action and made multiple promises to pay. Still nothing. They owe us $1,300 and we’ve had to chase every step of the way. - Joanne
Customer experiences with Qantas refund cases
✅ “Cancelled Saturday. Points and taxes refunded by Tuesday” – Fast reward refund success.
🔄 “Only one passenger got refunded. Had to call Qantas to resolve the second refund.”
🧠 “Cancelled under the 24-hour window. Got a full refund, no questions asked.”
How Qantas Refund Policy Compares to Competitors
Qantas vs. Jetstar
- Jetstar = Low-cost, no refunds on base fares unless airline cancels or you paid for Max bundle.
- Qantas = Flexible fares refund-friendly, especially for business and flex fares.
- Qantas Frequent Flyers = 24-hour cancellation window. Jetstar doesn’t offer this broadly.
Qantas vs. Virgin Australia
- Both = Non-refundable base fares, refundable Flex fares (with fees).
- Virgin = Offers “Cancel For Any Reason” add-on for partial refunds.
- Qantas = 24-hour free cancel for members. Virgin has more optional flexibility built-in.
🎯 Verdict: Qantas is the flexibility leader for high-tier fares. Virgin matches on mid-tier flexibility with add-ons. Jetstar wins only on price, not refund ease.
Qantas Refund FAQs
Can I get a refund from Qantas for any type of ticket?
Not all Qantas tickets are refundable—refund eligibility depends on your fare type and how you booked. Red e-Deals are non-refundable, while Flex, Premium, Business, and First fares often allow refunds (with or without fees). If you booked through a third party, you must claim your refund through them. Always check your specific fare rules before cancelling to avoid surprises.
What’s the fastest way to get a Qantas refund?
The quickest way is to cancel via the Qantas website or app under “Manage Booking.” If eligible, you'll see refund or credit options right away. Submitting online avoids call wait times, and most refunds are processed within a week. If your flight was cancelled by Qantas, you’re entitled to a full cash refund—don’t settle for credit unless you prefer it.
How long do Qantas refunds take to process?
Qantas refunds typically process in under 7 days, with funds appearing in your account within 2–10 business days. Complex cases like multi-passenger or upgraded tickets may take longer. If it’s been over 10 business days without confirmation, follow up using your booking reference.
Why did Qantas only refund part of my ticket?
Partial refunds often happen due to cancellation fees, fare rules, or excluded extras like prepaid baggage. Red e-Deals only return taxes. Also, if you used Points Plus Pay or booked multiple people, each refund may process differently. Check your confirmation email and contact Qantas if anything looks off.
You deserve your money back, don’t let it slip away.
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