I have friends and family who are wondering what to do with their travel plans, especially flights, in the coming months. They have been asking my view on what to do. No one knows how long this pandemic will disrupt travel for.
First of all, if your travel is not imminent, don’t do anything hasty! It’s like playing a game of “chicken” with the airlines.
You cancel:
- Normally, if you cancel a flight booking, you get a refund less the penalty (or just a refund on the taxes in the case of a non-refundable cheap fare).
- With Covid-19, most airlines will issue you a credit voucher for future use. It would compel you to book with them, before the voucher’s expiry, rather than with another airline that may be cheaper or more convenient.
You rebook:
- Normally, if you rebook a flight to another date, you pay a change fee plus a fare difference (if the flight costs more on that day).
- With Covid-19, most airlines are waiving the change fee but pay the fare difference. Some airlines are waiving the fare difference too. So, rebook to another date if you can decide with some certainty when you’re happy to travel. Most airlines are giving only a one-off “change fee waiver”. You could be stung for your next change if Covid-19 drags on.
You wait, they change:
- Normally, when an airline reschedules/cancels their flight and it impacts your travel by X minutes, they’ll offer you a full refund (in addition to other choices) to your original form of payment (usually credit card). Yep! Even if it was a non-refundable ticket.
- With Covid-19, many airlines have and will continue to reschedule/cancel flights due to reduced demand. So, why not wait and get a full refund if you’re thinking of not travelling? Cash back is better than a credit voucher, no?
You weigh it up:
- If you bought a ridiculously cheap ticket, I’d suggest a free rebooking to a new date. You may not see the same deal again and your credit voucher or refunded cash will not get you very far.
- On the other hand, if you’re no longer keen on travelling or feeling undecided, wait and wait for a reschedule/cancellation. It’s your call for a refund. But do keep hoping that the airline that’s not go bust. if it does you can always dispute the charge on your credit card eg “goods/service not received”.
Hope this has been of some help!