Flying Perth to Melb return

My son wants to go to Melbourne for Christmas with his girlfriend and family if the borders open and book it tonight. I haven’t really being paying much attention On travelling in the current climate but know some people have gotten part refunds, no refunds and total refunds. What would be the safest option to ensure you don’t get ripped off if travel needs to be cancelled or postponed? Doesn’t sound like a good idea to me but my son is keen.

 

I went thru Webjet and got a total refund from Virgin - and a 12 month credit from Jetstar - after SA borders shut (still waiting to visit the now-over-6-mth-first-grandchild) ... but only because the borders were officially shut by the government.

Not sure how you'd go if it was a change by choice

 

Recently I have someone needing to travel Perth -> HK. The airline cancelled the flight with a few days notice and offer the next available from Sydney -> HK. We have to pay Perth -> Sydney and no compensation for it. Of course we can wait for the next direct flight available but the airline can't guarantee beyond a tentative schedule.

 

How did you do this? Both kept redirecting me to the other...

 

Jetstar has a new feature called FareCredit that can be added to a ticket. The blurb says that if you need to cancel, you get a credit.

 

Yes I saw that

 

Virgin/Webjet contacted me via email with an alternative date. I advised it didn't suit and could I please have a refund ... and they gave it. Jetstar I had to contact direct and they simply gave the credit, no questions asked

 

Qantas have extended fly flexible, I had no issues with getting large trips refunded this year but likely due to status

Virgin have flexibility around changes also, I had issues with refunds initially but credits for future travel were no issue

I don’t fly Jetstar so can’t comment on them.

Using third party booking agents can complicate things and turn into a bit of a **** fight have seen a bit of that this year but appears most providers are adapting policy now, difference between boarder closure and just changing dates etc

 

Gamble paid off! Borders opened, flights jumped at least $400. Hopefully everyone can stay Covid safe!

 

Dammit, I'm one of the suckers that was waiting for the announcement before booking my Perth to Melbourne trip.

 

That’s a shame! Even when I was booking cheap flights at 6.00am the following morning after this post they were disappearing fast. I was on the Jetstar sight and by the time I got to the checkout it said my flight departing was sold Out and I had to start again. I booked the same Jetstar flights through Qantas instead. Even though it said there were no seats available for the return flight I clicked on it anyway and somehow it booked it?? Maybe one became available before the page refreshed. The company changed their flights today from Returning late afternoon to returning early morning.

 

We booked for Melb about 4 weeks ago, so we got in before the frenzy and price hikes

If it all went to pot, we would have received credit. Airbnb also sorted, had a 24 hour window to cancel, full refund

Family is very excited to be together again

 

Reports say to wait a few days as more flights will be scheduled.

 

Feeling so lucky my son came home this morning!! Crazy times ! I’m glad he got rescheduled from late afternoon!

 

Maybe he can stay in his room for two weeks though...he’s been on a farm 1.5 hrs from Melbourne for the past week at least

 

Thanks, will do. He has to have a test on the 11th day.

 

By the sounds - but my son said there is drive through places, although I think I did read also it may be hard to be tested due to high demand at the same time. He arrived here around 7.00am so I’m hoping it’s before peak testing.

 

Huge disappointment for my family, was scheduled to fly to Melb 7 January, hard borders now in place.