We are indeed in strange and uncertain times. A lot of us have flights, hotels, vacation packages booked and we are torn between cancelling or going ahead with the plans due to fears of losing large amounts due to cancellation fees. So what do you do?
There are several ways in which to cut your losses:
1. Check if the airline has issued waivers for the period and are offering changes with no fees, travel credit bank for future use or an outright refund to your original form of payment.
2. Check if the government of Canada has issued a travel advisory. It has to be either “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel”.
Check here for more details about your destination.
3. Check if your destination has restricted entry e.g. India. All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.
4. Check if there are airport closures for commercial flights e.g. Kuwait airport is closed effective Mar 13 for all commercial flights.
5. Check if you can cancel online with no cancellation fees. If it appears to charge a cancellation fee, call the airline as the online system may not be updated yet and the agent can cancel for you with no fees for a future travel credit or a full refund e.g. Etihad.
6. Check if you have coverage from the credit card you used to purchase your fare. This can also apply to fares booked with miles and points depending on the card you used.
7. If none of the above work in your favour, don’t rush and cancel by incurring a cancellation fee as things are changing by the minute and some situation may develop that qualifies you to change for free or get a full refund. For e.g. I had a flight booked on Etihad for Toronto to Abudhabi to Mumbai and I waited till today to call Etihad due to the visa restrictions for visitors to India, and, Etihad cancelled it and offered a full refund back to the credit card.
So, be patient if your flight is some time in the future and keep an eye out for developments that may work in your favour.
Stay safe, and save your money.
Written by Dominic Fernandes aka CanadaPointsGuy.
Image courtesy of Daniel Lim on Unsplash