Petty Revenge on Airlines

[skb1971]

I booked a Qantas e-deal flight SYD-SFO for an event that has since been cancelled. I have Travel Insurance, so I can make a claim for out-of-pocket expenses, minus a $200 deductible. At the same time, I can 'postpone' my Qantas flight and pay a $200 re-booking fee. If I cancel the the ticket entirely I will be refunded taxes, surcharges, etc., but none of the fare itself will be refunded.

The way I see it, I'm out $200 either way. I'm so annoyed at Qantas, I feel like I want to make sure I give them as little as possible.

So my question is: what is the least desireable outcome for Qantas: cancel now, or wait 'til the very last minute and cancel? Can I call up when the plane is about to leave the gates and cancel, smug in the knowledge that they'll be annoyed at all the additional paperwork and irritation involved?

Thanks in advance.

[NYCguy]

I don't think I understand the question - are you cranky because you bought a non-refundable ticket that's no longer of any use to you? If so, it seems a little pointless to plot revenge because of fare conditions that were known to you when you bought the ticket.

Of course, I might have read the question wrong...

[Maca44]

Hi skb1971

I don't know why you would consider Qantas at fault. As a ticketed pax they undertake to transport you from point A to point B at a cost, and they could still undertake that task. It is you who is cancelling the contract, not Qantas, so I don't know why you would be so annoyed at QF. If you cancel your flight, it is lucky that you have travel insurance and will only be out of pocket slightly, but under the circumstances $200 is not that much considering the circumstances.

[Hvr]

Sounds like cutting your nose to spite your face. Unless Qantas cancelled the event then why are you seeking revenge on them?

They won't care if you don't turn up, no problem to them at all, people don't turn up all the time. Indeed it may cost you money because it may be too late to cancel your fare.

I also suggest you discuss this with your insurer, knowing that you want to cancel now means you should discuss your options with them and mitigate your potential losses. Anything else may be considered fraud if you try to obtain an advantage you are not entitled to.

You do not want to be known as a fraud risk by an insurance company, it will adversely affect your future insurance policies forever for every type of insurance.

[Mal]

Why do you need to have 'revenge' against Qantas? You booked a ticket. You can't fly it, so how is it the fault of Qantas? Perhaps you should be putting your 'revenge' towards the organisers of whatever event got cancelled.

Some thoughts. How about using the ticket, skipping your cancelled event and enjoying your trip to San Fran? Maybe visit Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other towns in the area? The currency is nearly at par so things are pretty cheap and the slowing down of the US economy will most likely mean cheaper accommodation in the future. Airfares are not going down, so your chances of rebooking the same fare in the near future is next to none.

If you really want to cancel etc, then chat to your insurance company. Many of them have clauses that advise that you must ensure that the minimum loss occurs - ie that you cancel as soon as you are aware of an issue that would mean cancelling. A quick call to them should give you further information as to what you need to do.

[yo yo ma]

I booked a Qantas e-deal flight SYD-SFO for an event that has since been cancelled. I have Travel Insurance, so I can make a claim for out-of-pocket expenses, minus a $200 deductible. At the same time, I can 'postpone' my Qantas flight and pay a $200 re-booking fee. If I cancel the the ticket entirely I will be refunded taxes, surcharges, etc., but none of the fare itself will be refunded.

The way I see it, I'm out $200 either way. I'm so annoyed at Qantas, I feel like I want to make sure I give them as little as possible.

There is a lot of "I"s in the post... maybe you should be annoyed at the people who cancelled the event? Maybe you should have read the conditions before purchsing the cheapest fare? Maybe you should take responsibility for your actions instead of blaming Qantas; unless they cancelled the event, I cannot see your point... please clarify.

[Evan]

More to the point nothing you can do will annoy Qantas !
Cancel early, cancel late, they simply wont care in the slightest. Any why should they care about one economy seat.
E

[Mal]

More to the point nothing you can do will annoy Qantas !
Cancel early, cancel late, they simply wont care in the slightest. Any why should they care about one economy seat.
E

Especially when they overbook by several expecting no shows!

[Driver]

I'm with Mal - how could you contemplate not going anyway . . . to San Francisco of all places. Find another event to go to. You've vented, get over it and have a great holiday!

[NYCguy]

I'm with Mal - how could you contemplate not going anyway . . . to San Francisco of all places. Find another event to go to. You've vented, get over it and have a great holiday!

I agree. Los Angeles, yeessh, cancel! But SFO? Just go.