Qantas widens COVID-19 fare waiver to assist passengers

The Qantas Group is offering customers worried about the impact of coronavirus travel restrictions greater flexibility to change their plans. The offer applies to customers with existing and new bookings on domestic and international flights and is available until March 31 for travel that would have been taken up to May 31. It comes as Australia announced widened travel restrictions requiring everyone entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days. Also Included Jetstar domestic services in New Zealand and Jetstar Asia flights between Darwin and Singapore. READ: Worried passengers swamp customer service centers The deal supersedes the existing arrangements and sees Qantas customers receive a travel voucher that can be redeemed for travel up to 12 months from the original booking date. Jetstar customers get a slightly different deal with travel vouchers that can be redeemed in one booking within six months for travel within 12 months of the new booking date. Qantas Frequent Flyers who have booked classic redemption flights on Qantas, Jetstar and partner airlines who no longer wish to travel will also have change fees waived. “Following the introduction of increased travel restrictions from governments around the world, Qantas and Jetstar are introducing greater flexibility for customers booked on all domestic and international flights,'' Qantas Group chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said. “We understand that some customers would prefer not to travel at the moment. “We have removed the standard change fees, where it applies, and are giving customers the option to cancel their flight and receive a travel voucher that can be used anywhere on our network at a later date. “Travel restrictions are being introduced by governments to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, not because of the risk of contracting the virus on a flight. “Medical experts, including Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and the World Health Organisation, continue to advise that it continues to be safe to fly and the risk of contracting the Coronavirus on an aircraft remains low.” the airline has urged customers not to contact call centers because of high demand but visit the manage booking section on Qantas.com or the "Manage My Booking" page on Jetstar.com from 9 am on March 16. Those who booked flights through a travel agency or a third-party website should contact the organization with which they booked.