A year after extending the assurance during the pandemic's deadliest days, British Airways has abandoned its flexible "Book with Confidence" policy.
In response to the severe travel disruption caused by COVID-19 and the ever-changing worldwide limitations it unleashed, the policy was implemented in March 2020 to encourage new bookings by allowing customers to cancel their travel plans for any reason at no additional cost.
The guarantee, as well as the expiration date of no-questions-asked Future Travel Vouchers, was then extended by BA in August of last year.
BA quietly reduced the flexibility allowed during that time on Wednesday, urging travellers to ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance to handle last-minute cancellations as another indicator that travel is returning to normal.
"We offer a wide range of fares to give our customers more options," a BA representative said. "The vast majority of our tickets already provide flexibility."
"In the event that a customer's flight is cancelled, we will always provide them with a variety of options, including a complete refund."
Existing reservations will be covered by the Book with Confidence guarantee, but new reservations made after June 8 will not, according to BA.
BA's regular policies are in effect as of Wednesday.
This means that unless a passenger purchases a more expensive flexible rate, any passenger who wants to amend or cancel a booking will be charged a fee.
If you're headed to a country that still requires a negative test for entry (like the United States), you may be unable to travel due to no fault of your own and unable to take advantage of BA's policy.
Make sure you have adequate travel insurance.
If any government implements restrictions that could block or limit travellers from entry as a result of COVID-19, BA said its booking practises will be examined.
Some airlines will keep their extra flexibility indefinitely, while others, such as Ryanair, have already returned to their pre-pandemic stringent regulations.
What are the policies of other UK airlines when it comes to booking flexibility?
EasyJet
EasyJet's "Freedom to Change" policy was extended until March 31 in November, allowing customers to change their flights for free.
While that programme has terminated, the airline's "Travel Restriction Protection" programme will continue until December 31.
"This implies that if a complete travel ban or a hotel quarantine is enforced, customers will be able to claim a refund, a voucher, or a free flight transfer, even if their flight continues to operate," according to the business.
Ryanair
The "Zero Change Fee" policy of Ryanair expired on January 31.
If you booked your flight before that date, you can make a free adjustment until September 31.
You'll have to rebook at least seven days ahead of time "depending on the route and travel dates selected," and you'll be responsible for any fare change.
If a consumer makes a mistake, Ryanair allows them to change their booking within 24 hours.
Otherwise, changing a booking costs 45 euros (about $48.27).
Wizz Air is a low-cost airline based in
Unless you pay in advance, Wizz does not offer a flight change policy.
For the following prices, you can change your reservation up to three hours prior to takeoff:
With more than 30 days to go, the price per passenger each flight will be 32 euros ($34.32).
With seven to thirty days to go, each traveller will pay 37 euros ($39.69) each flight.
Within seven days, each passenger will pay 42 euros ($45.05) each flight.
Passengers who are afraid that they may need to change their flight can select the "Wizz Flex" option when making their initial reservation.
However, depending on your location, this costs between 5 euros ($5.36) and 36 euros ($38.61).
Jet2
If your flight is cancelled due to COVID-19, or if UK government advice changes and it becomes illegal for you to travel overseas, Jet2 will reimburse your booking.
Cancellations for any other reason are possible, but no money will be refunded.
"Please be informed that all Jet2.com planned flights are non-refundable," the airline says.
"We strongly advise you to purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that may prohibit you from travelling as planned."
You can, however, make name and date modifications to your reservation as described above."
You will be charged a $40.93 administration fee for changing a booking and will be responsible for any pricing changes.
Virgin Atlantic is a British airline.
On flights departing before Aug. 31, you can reschedule your dates as many times as you need on tickets booked with Virgin Atlantic and package holidays purchased via Virgin Holidays between Feb. 16 and April 23.
By December 31, 2023, any rebooked flight must be completed.
You can also choose a voucher that is valid until December 21, 2023.
TUI
TUI's "COVID Flexibility" policy entitles you to a free flight change for any of the following reasons:
COVID-19 is detected in you or someone in your party.
You are unable to go because your neighbourhood has been placed under a local lockdown.
You are no longer able to travel because vaccination, testing, or quarantine criteria have changed since you booked.
TUI informs you of "restrictions in your location that were imposed after you booked and will have a major influence on the pleasure of your holiday."
This regulation is in effect for any vacations departing on or before October 31.
You won't have to pay any fees to reschedule your booking if TUI cancels it - for example, due to a hotel shutdown or a flight cancellation.
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