Qantas cuts credit card fees, adds fee-free booking options
By David Flynn, June 26 2013
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Qantas has cut the cost of booking flights by credit card and added a 'fee-free' period for paying with a debit card.
The lower prices, which take effect today, will be a welcome salve to travellers stung by the almost unavoidable cost of paying via plastic.
They come in conjunction with the overhaul of the Qantas website and the Reserve Bank's release of new guidelines for card companies and merchants.
Read: Qantas revamps website: better bookings, fewer frequent flyer seats
For domestic and trans-Tasman flights, the credit card surcharge nudges down from $7.70 to $7.00 per passenger and per booking. International bookings remain fixed at $30.
Debit cards enjoy a more dramatic drop, falling from $7.70 to $2.50 for domestic and trans-Tasman flights, and from $30 down to $10 for international trips.
But if you're using a Visa or MasterCard debit card to book within seven days of travel those fees are waived entirely – although you're likely to pay more for your flight by not booking further in advance.
As before, there's also no fee if you pay using BPay more than seven days before travel.
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Disclaimer
Executive Traveller may receive a commission when you apply for these credit cards via our links.
The information provided on this page is purely factual and general in nature. You should seek independent advice and consider your own personal circumstances before applying for any financial product.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
04 Nov 2012
Total posts 213
Never known a company to rile up its members like QFF do.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
David, if the bpay was free before, why the story tag of "adds fee free booking option"?
Why not "Qantas cuts domestic and debit card fees"?
(A minor issue - just grumpy cos of the ASA news... !)
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
Because "fee free booking option" applies to debit cards as well, and that option is new.
I originally played with "Qantas cuts credit card fees, adds fee-free booking option for debit cards" but felt the shorter version was punchier and still conveyed the essential information (as a rule you try not to use more words in a headline than are needed).
Likewise, "Qantas cuts card fees" (which covers the cuts to both both debit and credit cards) is less obvious and isn't SEO-friendly.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
No problem - but your choices have subtly created a more favourable headline through the ambiguity incurred
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
..in favour of the airline
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
For God's sake, get your hand off it, PLATY!
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
Al, please do not post rude and abusive comments directed at me.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
Now Al, you've been here a while, you should know to play the ball and not the man. In other words, feel free to debate any point made but please don't attack the person making it.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
PLATY, I have no idea where you get that from.
Qantas has cut credit card fees, and it has added a fee-free booking option. How much more straight-forward can this be?
I suggest that any alleged "subtle favourability" reflects your own reading of this, and in future I'll try hard to resist the tempation to discuss headlines with you.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
David, you headline is ambiguous because it could imply that there was no fee free booking route previously. Like I said above a minor point.
You probably hit the nail on the head with your reference to Reserve Bank guidelines and before we all get smashed on Dom Perignon tonight in celebration might ponder this indicates QF are finally having to take one step from real or perceived price gouging and lower their business risk.
If you don't want debate on your webiste, that's fine, becuase I could do without the abusive posts from other members in the face of a difference of opinion.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
PLATY: well, some of that depends on your reason for downing the Dom tonight! :P
Seriously though: I'm okay with measured debate – but on the finer points of headlines being perceived as potentially subtly favourable in one direction or another, I'll pass.
Cheers!
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
David, been drinking Roederer in lieu of Dom, but yeah, a weird night for all being here in BNE with the ALP stuff, the State or Origin and the QF changes!!!
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
PS on the other stuff, no problem......
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
PLATY: so the champers is now flowing?
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
Do my eyes deceive me? Has Qantas actually done something RIGHT by its passengers? Is there no fine print revealing some of these costs have in fact gone up?
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 427
From the ABC website
"...From January 1 next year, merchants will only be able to charge "reasonable" transaction fees that reflect their costs of providing accepting card payments, including bank fees and any extras such as terminal fees.
Consumer group Choice has accused Cabcharge and other companies including airlines Qantas and Virgin Australia of imposing excessive surcharges on customers that use cards to make payments..."
and from David above:
"....they come in conjunction with...Reserve Bank's release of new guidelines for card companies and merchants..."
In other words, more likely to be a simple compliance move away from the price gouging accusations (by Choice, etc) and potenrtial class actions, etc., than an act of generosity in favour of the Qantas passenger.
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