Jetstar Airways’ cancellation policy is shaped by its low-cost model, with rules varying by fare type, booking source, and timing. Below is a concise overview based on available information:
24-Hour Cancellation Policy: You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the flight departs at least 7 days later (168 hours). This applies to all fares booked directly through Jetstar’s official channels (website, app, or contact center) and complies with U.S. Department of Transportation rules for U.S.-touching flights. No cancellation fees are charged in this period, even for non-refundable tickets.
General Cancellation Rules:
- Starter Fare (Economy): Non-refundable unless FareCredit was purchased at booking. Without FareCredit, cancellations after 24 hours incur a fee (around $50 AUD per passenger per flight), and you may receive a Jetstar travel voucher for the remaining value. Taxes or surcharges may be refunded, minus an administration fee.
- Business Class with Max Bundle: Refundable for a fee (typically $70–$200 AUD, depending on route and timing). Refunds must be requested before the end of the scheduled departure day. If changed to a Max bundle after booking, it becomes non-refundable.
- Cancellation Fees:
- Short-haul flights: 30–40% of the fare or $50–$200 AUD per passenger per flight if canceled within 72 hours of departure.
- Long-haul or late cancellations (within 3 days of departure): Up to $200–$450 AUD.
- No refunds for same-day cancellations unless due to airline issues.
- Vouchers: Issued per passenger per flight if canceled before the Change Deadline (typically before check-in opens). Vouchers are emailed within 24 hours, valid for a single transaction, and must include the original passenger.
- Points Plus Pay Bookings (Max fare rules): Qantas Points are re-credited, and cash payments are refunded to the original payment method, minus a refund fee.
How to Cancel:
- Phone: Call 1-877-240-6770.
- Travel Agency Bookings: Contact the agent directly, as they may handle cancellations and charge additional fees.
- Cancellations must be made at least 1 hour before departure, or a fee applies.
Airline-Caused Cancellations:
- If Jetstar cancels or delays your flight by 3+ hours for reasons within their control (e.g., engineering issues, staffing), you’re entitled to a full refund or rebooking on the next available flight at no cost.
- Compensation: You may receive a Jetstar travel voucher or additional remedies under Australian Consumer Law, New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act, or Warsaw/Montreal Conventions, depending on the route.
- For overbooking, if you’re bumped despite arriving on time with valid documentation, you’ll be rebooked and may receive a travel voucher.
- Weather, air traffic control, or other external factors (extraordinary circumstances) may exempt Jetstar from compensation, but they’ll offer rebooking or a voucher/refund.
Special Cases:
- COVID-19: For bookings made between September 17, 2021, and April 30, 2022, for travel up to August 31, 2023, change fees were waived. Cancellations due to COVID-19 restrictions may offer refunds or vouchers.
- Medical/Military Emergencies: Jetstar may waive fees or provide alternative transport with valid documentation. Contact the airline directly.
- Jetstar Asia Closure: Jetstar Asia (3K) is closing July 31, 2025, affecting Singapore-based flights. Affected passengers can request refunds or rebooking via Live Chat. This doesn’t impact Jetstar Airways (JQ) or Jetstar Japan (GK).
- EU/UK Regulations: For flights departing EU/UK airports, EC 261/UK 261 may apply, offering €250–€600 compensation for cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice, unless extraordinary circumstances apply.
Additional Notes:
- One-Hour Quick Fix: For domestic flights in Australia/New Zealand and select international JQ flights, you can change (not cancel) flight dates/times within 1 hour of booking without a change fee, though fare differences apply.
- FareCredit: An optional add-on for select flights, allowing cancellations for a credit voucher (terms vary by route).
- Changes (e.g., date, time) incur a change fee ($50–$100 AUD) plus fare differences. Name changes cost extra but must apply to all flights for that passenger.
- Tickets from unauthorized portals are non-refundable, and cancellations may incur additional processing fees.
- Refunds, if approved, take 7–14 days to process.
