The Qantas Group has eliminated expiration dates for
Covid-19 travel credits, with Qantas credits now eligible for cash refunds
anytime, though the window for using them for travel is closing, the group
announced.
The Covid credits—those for bookings for travel through
Sept. 30, 2021—were scheduled to expire at the end of this year but now will
last indefinitely as "one of the most flexible approaches that any airline
has taken to its Covid credits," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in a video
message. The ability to use Qantas credits for flights, however, ends after
Dec. 31 due to "system limitations," with a cash refund the only
option after that point.
The cash refunds are in lieu of refunding credit cards. Related
bookings generally date back to 2019, and most cards used for those bookings
have since expired, meaning Qantas will not be able to refund to those cards.
Cash refunds for bookings made through a travel agent are eligible only for the
amount Qantas received from the agent for the booking.
Vouchers for Qantas' low-cost subsidiary Jetstar can be used
for travel indefinitely.
"We know the credit system was not as smooth as it should
have been," Joyce said. "While we've improved it recently, and
extended the [expiration] date several times, people lost faith in the process.
We hope this helps change that."
To spur more travel bookings with credits prior to that no
longer being an option, Qantas is giving double miles on points for bookings
made with Covid credits starting Sept. 4, the carrier said. Qantas also said it
will be issuing "regular reminders" to customers with the credits and
is working with agents to coordinate refunds for indirect bookings.