Holidaymakers may end up paying their airline for a change in the date of a flight next year, even though the pandemic is causing it.
Most airlines have waived cancellation fees after the pandemic. This was because passengers were forced to reorganise their travels due to Covid-19.
Despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus, airlines may charge customers to change their flights again in 2022.
Easyjet stated that it will be reviewing its cancellation policy beginning next year. Other airlines could follow, as their policies only last until 2021.
Easyjet could be one of the companies that will start charging customers to make changes to their flights again
Many may be forced to cancel their plans as the pandemic continues worldwide.
While there is no country currently on the UK’s “red list” for inbound travel, Britons still have restrictions when visiting many places.
While customers who are taking their families with them at the end of the year won’t be affected by the changes to cancellation policies, many will have made plans in advance for a trip in 2022.
Many who have booked international trips rely on being able change their flights via the airline in case of complications due to coronavirus.
This is Money spoke to major airlines to determine if they are going to remove the free change and, if so how much they would be charging customers in the future.
Easyjet said its current Protection Promise, which allows customers to change their flights without a fee, at any time up to two hours before departure, only applies to alterations made before 31 December 2021.
After that, it said it is ‘continuing to review’ its policies – with no guarantee that changes will be free.
People who have already booked flights for next year can change their bookings now without penalty.
Easyjet added that, whilst its plans for the new year are unknown, customers can still move to any flight on any route on its network, up to the end of September 2022, and to any other destination on its network.
British AirwaysCustomers who are unable or unwilling to travel can still change their flights and the fee will be waived for journeys completed by 31 August 2022.
Customers can also request a future voucher as part the Book with Confidence policy. These vouchers are valid through 30 September 2023.
Many people had to change their plans because of the pandemic. Most relied on fee-free modifications.
WizzAirAccording to the statement: “Those who have selected the basic fare can cancel their booking or rearrange it for a fee.
Wizz Flex customers can cancel their booking up to three hours prior to departure and receive 100% of the original fare back in airline credit.
Wizz Air passengers have the right to receive 120 percent of the original fare as airline credit or a full refund. They also have the option to rebook their flight for free.
Ryanair and Jet2 did not respond to our request.
However, its website states that RyanairCustomers can make two changes to their flights without being charged any change fees. This applies only for bookings made between 10 and 30 September 2021 and travel before 31 December 2021.
It states that flight changes must be made at least seven days prior to the original departure date. This does not apply to changes to flights in 2022.
Customers may have to pay more if they need to change their flights next year.
On the website, it says that those looking to change their flights will usually have to pay between £35 to £95 with the price depending on the time and route.
It says, “In the meantime, it says: Jet2The website states that customers can cancel their bookings if they have a flight booked, but must self-isolate due the NHS Test and Trace.
The airline stated that bookings are not refundable or transferable and that it can assist customers with changing dates.
However, it will charge the administration fee of £35 plus the difference in price between the original fare and the new fare.
No refunds will be given if the overall fare has changed since the original booking.
Ryanair and Jet2 did not confirm their policies for changing flights in the next year.