Virgin will honour bookings of Rex passengers after airline goes into administration

Virgin Australia will honour the bookings of Rex passengers after the country’s third largest regional airline collapsed.

Regional Express Holdings Limited went into voluntary administration on Tuesday evening, with the airline’s domestic fleet of Boeing 737 services now grounded.

While flights between regional locations remain unaffected, flights between major domestic airports have been cancelled.

Virgin Australia has since announced it will honour existing Rex bookings at no extra cost to passengers.

Qantas Group said it would “stand ready to assist”, with Qantas and Jetstar to reaccommodate Rex passengers on the same route as their original booking at no extra charge where seats are available.

Here’s everything Rex passengers need to know.

Can I get a refund?

Rex travellers will not receive a refund from the airline. All prepaid tickets for direct services between domestic and capital cities will instead be honoured by Virgin Australia at no additional cost.

The airline said customers would be put on Virgin flights “as close as practicable” to their original flight time.

How do I transfer my booking?

Passengers must contact the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89 or visit www.virginaustralia.com to transfer and rebook their ticket. Affected customers will be contacted by Rex directly.

Booking transfers must be completed before August 14 otherwise the booking will not be honoured and it will be void.

Should I go to the airport?

Travellers are advised not to arrive at the airport until they have made alternative travel arrangements with Virgin Australia.

Will I have access to my frequent flyer points?

Rex frequent flyer points will be frozen and travellers will be unable to use or accrue any points during the administration period.

The airline said in the event of a successful restructure, business points could become available in the future.

What if I booked through a travel agent?

Those who booked their flights through a travel agent have been encouraged to advise their travel agent to contact Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89 before August 14.

Can I travel with Qantas or Jetstar?

Qantas and Jetstar will accommodate Rex travellers on the same route as their original booking at no extra cost should there be seats available.

Those wanting to travel with Qantas Group should contact Jetstar on 13 15 38 or Qantas on 13 13 13 to make a booking.

Rex passengers have until August 31 to take up of the offer.

What are the affected routes?

Melbourne (MEL) – Adelaide (ADL)

Melbourne (MEL) – Canberra (CBR)

Melbourne (MEL) – Brisbane (BNE)

Melbourne (MEL) – Coolangatta, Gold Coast (OOL)

Melbourne (MEL) – Hobart (HBA)

Melbourne (MEL) – Sydney (SYD)

Melbourne (MEL) – Perth (PER)

Sydney (SYD) – Brisbane (BNE)

Sydney (SYD) – Coolangatta, Gold Coast (OOL)

Sydney (SYD – Adelaide (ADL)

Brisbane (BNE) – Adelaide (ADL)

Adelaide (ADL) – Perth (PER)

Brisbane (BNE) – Cairns (CNS)