Just before Christmas Mr Ellison found out his 92-year-old mother, who lives in America, suffered a heart attack and likely did not have long to live.

The 66-year-old Kings Point resident immediately contacted Qantas knowing he had enough frequent flyer points to travel return to Los Angeles business class.

However he was told by the airline he could not be put on a flight until April, to return in May.

"I am physically disabled, I have a spinal condition and I can't fly economy. I have a lot of frequent flyer points, enough with Qantas to fly business class for free," he said.

"I'm a disabled pensioner, I'd never be able to afford a ticket.

"Qantas told me they had no tickets, that maybe I could fly later in the year. By then it could be too late."

Attempts to contact Qantas have remained unanswered.

It was not the first time Mr Ellison had dealt with airlines and had claimed frequent flyer points, having flown with United Airlines for years.

"When I have been in this situation before, when my father died, all the airlines have been compassionate," he revealed.

"United even bumped a full fare paying passenger to let me on when I had to fly to the States for my dad's funeral.

"It is the opposite situation here, it's horrible and I find it hard to believe."

At the time the situation was unfolding, national media had revealed Qantas had seen a drop in passenger numbers.

"There was an article in the Sydney Morning Herald before Christmas stating Qantas was hurting in the pointy end of the plane, they're not filling the seats," Mr Ellison said.

"They would rather have empty seats than put me on a flight."

Taking his fight further, Mr Ellison contacted the Department of Fair Trading last week and was met with a positive response.

He was told the matter was of interest to the department and submitted a letter outlining his treatment by the airline.

"This kind of treatment no one deserves," he said.

"I am not asking for something special, I'm not asking for a discount.

"I want them to treat me like they would a paying customer, this is a shocker."