$105 million Qantas flight credit settlement moves ahead

More than 1 million Qantas customers are now receiving court-ordered emails and text messages about possible payments from the $105 million Flight Credit Class Action settlement.

The notices will go out over about 2 weeks to customers deemed potentially eligible after flights were cancelled during the COVID pandemic between 2020 and 2022.

Earlier this year, the parties agreed to settle the class action with no admission of liability, subject to approval by the Federal Court of Australia.

The Federal Court ordered Echo Law to distribute the notices and explain the steps group members must take to join the proposed settlement.

Echo Law notice rollout

Andrew Paull, a partner at Echo Law, said: “We are pleased that the Federal Court has issued orders for us to contact eligible Qantas customers.”

Echo Law is using the contact details customers gave Qantas when they bought tickets. Customers must follow the instructions in the notice to take part.

The proposed settlement includes a minimum payment of $50 for eligible customers if the court approves the deal.

Payments could be higher for customers with multiple bookings in the class action or long delays in getting refunds.

Customers who used their flight credit, or later received a refund, can still qualify if they meet the criteria.

Texts and emails will issue each day over the next fortnight. As a result, Echo Law asked people who think they are eligible to wait 14 days before contacting the firm through its website.

Meanwhile, Echo Law said customers who are nervous about clicking a link can visit its website to check that the message is genuine.

Kate Sambrook, a partner at Piper Alderman, said: “We are making this announcement today as we’re aware that the large number of scams that take place mean some recipients of these communications may question whether the text or email they’re receiving is legitimate.”

Under the settlement terms, Qantas will pay the full sum to the applicant, and then payments will be distributed to eligible customers if the court approves the settlement.