COVID-19 is quite literally taking over the world and if you’re one of the hundreds of thousands who had planned to travel in the next little while, you’re most likely re-thinking or are being forced to postpone your trip.
Thankfully, airlines are coming to the table and are either applying credit or reimbursing travellers who have already booked flights directly through their sites. Check the list below to see where you stand.
Jetstar
Jetstar has officially announced all their international flights will be put on hold until 31 May. While you will still be able to travel domestically, they are offering passengers the option to cancel and receive a credit voucher on all new and existing international and domestic (Aus + NZ) flight bookings, with travel dates from 15 March to 31 May 2020. Head to Jetstar’s website here to find out more.
Qantas
For international travellers, you will have heard that Qantas has now suspended all international flights from Australia from the end of March until at least May 31. Qantas is allowing passengers the option to cancel their bookings until 31 March for travel up to 31 May, and hold onto the value as travel credit, which can be redeemed within 12 months. Find out more on the Qantas site, here.
Virgin Australia
Virgin flyers will have heard about the temporary suspension of all international services and further cuts to the domestic work, expected to last until 14 June. Those who have existing or are making new bookings for travel between 15 March to 30 June, have the opportunity to change their flight to a later date and/or a different destination, without getting hit with a change fee. There are limits to how many alterations you can make, so jump to their website for more info, here.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand are doing what they can to make travel changes less costly, offering those who booked prior to 4 March, with travel commencing prior to 1 July, the option to alter your flight without the change fee, or if you’re unsure of when you want to travel again, your fare can be held as credit for up to a year. For new international trips booked between 5 March to 31 March, the standard change fee and contact centre service fee will also be waived. Find out more info, here.
Emirates
With flights to all corners of the world, Emirates are also giving guests the freedom to alter their travel plans with no change fees being incurred. Any bookings made on or before 31 March comes with the option to adjust your travel dates and it won’t cost you a cent. But keep in mind there could be a fare difference when booking your next trip. For more info or to make any changes, click here.
AirAsia
The crew at AirAsia are making provisions available for guests who are unable to travel due to their travel history, nationalities or respective travel bans up to 30 April 2020. You can either make a one-time flight change to a new travel date on the same route without additional cost or you can retain the value of your fare as credit for future flights with AirAsia. Find out more on AirAsia’s website here.
Thai Airways
Booked a trip with Thai Airways? You’ll be pleased to know the airline has introduced a flexible fare rules policy for all flight departures from Australia, between now and 31 May. This means they’ll waive the change fees if you wish to postpone your trip until 15 December 2020. You can find out more here.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is waiving all rebooking fees for tickets issued on or before 15 March, for travel up to 31 May, with immediate effect. Customers can cancel their existing flight itineraries, retain the value of their tickets and rebook their travel at a later date, when they are able to lock in their new travel plans. The new flight itinerary needs to be completed by 31 March. Find out more information here.
Delta
With Delta you can cancel your ticket and the value of the ticket will become an eCredit for future use, which is super helpful if you’re unsure of when you’ll be travelling next. The team are even promising on their site, that even if you’re not able to get hold of them before your departure and you don’t take your flight, all changes will be processed and your ticket number automatically becomes eCredit within 24 hours. Now that’s service! Find out more here.
Cebu Pacific
Cebu Pacific has cancelled all of its Cebu Pacific and CEBGO flights until April 14th 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-10. Thankfully, if one of your flights has been cancelled, the Cebu crew are allowing you to re-book with the fare difference and change fee waived, a full travel fund or a full refund—all of which are valid for 180 days. For more information, head here.
Expedia
If you’ve booked a flight through Expedia you will need to re-direct your queries to the partnering airline and their flexible policies. With updates regarding COVID-19 happening rapidly, most policies will vary but many tend to cover travel to highly impacted areas through the end of March. For more information, click here.
Image credit: Jetstar