30 May, 2021 → by ClaimboUser877014
Will not abide by Qantas’s request.
1
I was due to fly from Victoria to Western Australia this week however, due to the state being placed in lockdown, I am no longer able to fly. I am also now on a 14 day quarantine due to being in close contact with a positive case. I received a notification from Qantas who advised to switch my flights for a flight credit and as I booked through an agent (kiwi.com) this needed to be completed by the agent. Upon calling kiwi.com I was advised that as it is a 'voluntary cancellation', they will not give me a flight credit or refund, and can offer me a discount of 10 euros ($15 AUD) to rebook my flights. Which means I have lost $600 and still need to pay an additional $500+ to book new flights. I explained that this was not technically voluntary as I may have covid and have been advised by Qantas, the carrier and provider of the service, to obtain a flight credit. Kiwi.com advised that as the flight was not cancelled by the carrier, they could not issue a refund. I stated over and over again that I was n to looking for a refund, just a flight credit - as directed by Qantas. Prior to my call, I had spoken to AFTA and ACCC about my rights and was advised that if the service provider (Qantas) requests the consumer be issued a flight credit, then the agent has to comply. The staff member on the phone was aggressive and rude and kept talking over me whilst I was trying to explain my situation. I requested several times to speak to a manager or supervisor and she refused. I am now in the process of lodging a complaint with ACCC and AFTA and am trying to obtain a flight credit directly through Qantas.