Australian airlines urged to go 'fee free' on changes and cancellations

BTN News
Tuesday, 28 May 2024

An Australian consumer advocate says local airlines should follow their US peers and drop change and cancellation fees.


Adam Glezer, the Consumer Champion founder, said airlines eliminating cancellation fees was a “brilliant” move that "gives consumers flexibility; they can pay for a flight with the full knowledge that if anything changes, they will be looked after”.

He added: “Consumers book flights because it’s their intention to get on the flight, but Australian airlines cash in on the fact that consumers have to make changes – it can be extremely expensive.”

In the US, some airlines now allow passengers to cancel up to an hour before their scheduled departure time without a fee and importantly, they say they are doing so to improve the bottom line.

Full refunds or flight credits are becoming standard.

“As it sits now, Australians are left in a very precarious position when they have to cancel or change their flights," Glezer said.

Australian airlines urged to go 'fee free' on changes and cancellations

BTN News
Tuesday, 28 May 2024

An Australian consumer advocate says local airlines should follow their US peers and drop change and cancellation fees.


Adam Glezer, the Consumer Champion founder, said airlines eliminating cancellation fees was a “brilliant” move that "gives consumers flexibility; they can pay for a flight with the full knowledge that if anything changes, they will be looked after”.

He added: “Consumers book flights because it’s their intention to get on the flight, but Australian airlines cash in on the fact that consumers have to make changes – it can be extremely expensive.”

In the US, some airlines now allow passengers to cancel up to an hour before their scheduled departure time without a fee and importantly, they say they are doing so to improve the bottom line.

Full refunds or flight credits are becoming standard.

“As it sits now, Australians are left in a very precarious position when they have to cancel or change their flights," Glezer said.