# Qatar Airways Extends Fee-Free Ticket Changes Deadline to May 15, 2026

_Apr 30 07:23_

Tags: Emirates, Qatar Airways, EU/EEA, Gulf, UK, policy change, airline, safety & operations, service policy change

Qatar Airways extended the ticketing deadline for fee-free date changes to May 15, 2026. Tickets issued by this date for travel between Feb 28 and Sept 15, 2026, can be changed fee-free until Oct 31, 2026

## Summary

Qatar Airways has extended the deadline for passengers to retain fee-free flexibility on tickets issued due to the ongoing Iran War situation. The new ticketing deadline is May 15, 2026. Eligibility:
- Passengers holding tickets issued on or before May 15, 2026.
- With a travel date between February 28 and September 15, 2026. Benefits:
- Complimentary date changes to a new travel date up to October 31, 2026, when rebooking on Qatar Airways-operated flights.
- Changes are subject to availability and fare seasonality.
- Refund of unused ticket value applies, with standard fare rules.
- If a flight is impacted, additional fee-free changes are allowed until October 31, 2026, maintaining the same cabin regardless of fare seasonality.
- Refunds may take up to 28 working days to process. This policy does not override passenger rights legislation such as EU/EEA EC 261/2004 or UK UK261. The airline amended this policy twice recently, first setting an April 30 deadline, then extending it to May 15

Sources add:
• LoyaltyLobby: Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have offered extra flexibility for tickets issued after the start of the Iran War, which is currently paused, but Qatar Airways is now the first of the three to start tightening them up

## Why it matters

Affects 2 airline programs (Emirates, Qatar Airways). Removal of a benefit or service — adjust plans and use any remaining value.

## What each source adds

- **LoyaltyLobby**: Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have offered extra flexibility for tickets issued after the start of the Iran War, which is currently paused, but Qatar Airways is now the first of the three to start tightening them up

## Sources cited

- [LoyaltyLobby](https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/04/30/qatar-airways-extends-free-changes-for-tickets-by-may-15-2026?omhide=true) — Qatar Airways Extends Free Changes For Tickets Issued By May 15, 2026
- [LoyaltyLobby](https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/04/28/qatar-airways-removes-free-changes-for-tickets-on-or-after-may-1-2026?omhide=true) — Qatar Airways Removes Free Changes For Tickets Issued On Or After May 1, 2026

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