Airline War Time Cancellation Policies
(Updated April 4)
British Airways
British Airways announced on April 2 that all new bookings made up until April 19 may now be changed in World
Traveller (economy) or World Traveller Plus to any British Airways destination can be changed once without penalty anytime before May 31 for travel through Dec. 31. Changes must be made at
least 72 hours before departure. For further details, visit British Airways' website at http://www.britishairways.com.
All new bookings made up until 19 April may now be changed anytime up to 31 May, for travel until the end of December 2003
SAS - Scandinavian Airlines
SAS will allow customers with restricted tickets issued previous to March 19 for travel prior to May 31 to postpone travel until December 31, 2003. In the event of the issue of a new ticket, the full price of the original ticket will be set off against the new one. If the new ticket is more expensive, the customer will only pay the difference; if the new ticket is less expensive, he will receive a credit towards future travel. For further details, visit SAS' website at https://ibp2.scandinavian.net/planandbook/searchAvailView.asp?MKT=US.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines announced on March 21 that they will waive fees to change bookings. Anyone currently holding or who wishes to purchase tickets may make changes to their itinerary or put their plans on hold with no penalty. Credit vouchers will be issued and are valid for up to one year from original date of purchase. Availability and fare differences will apply. If the fare is lower on the new travel itinerary then a future flight credit will be issued. For further details, visit Spirit Airline's website at http://www.spiritair.com.
Air Tran Airways
Air Tran has announced that they will waive fees to change bookings. Customers with reservations purchased prior to March 20, 2003, will be given the option of requesting a credit for the value of unused tickets to be used for up to one year from original date of purchase. Travel must be originally scheduled to take place between the March 20 and May 20, 2003. To be eligible, customers must contact AirTran Airways prior to departure but no later than April 1, 2003.
Customers who change their itinerary within these policy guidelines will not be required to pay a change fee, although they will be subject to availability and applicable changes in fares. For further details, visit Air Tran's website at http://www.airtran.com.
Alitalia
Alitalia announced on March 20 that they will waive fees to change bookings. Passengers holding tickets in the United States who purchased tickets between March 10 and March 31 will be allowed to rebook once without penalty through December 31, 2003. The rebooking must be made by May 31, 2003 or the travel date, whichever is earlier. The change must be made before April 19 for travel through December 31, 2003. The new reservation must be made in the same booking code as originally ticketed. Peak season or weekend surcharge do not apply to rebooking. For further details, visit Alitalia's website at http://www.alitaliausa.com.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific announced on March 20 that they will waive fees to change bookings. Passengers holding tickets purchased in the United States for flights on Cathay Pacific departing through April 17, 2003, may make a one-time change and postpone their travel plans without penalty. Rescheduled travel must be booked by April 17, 2003 and outbound travel must commence before June 30, 2003. In the event of any seasonality or routing change, an additional fee may apply. All changes are subject to space availability and rescheduled travel must adhere to other applicable travel requirements stipulated by the original ticket rules. For further details, visit Cathay Pacific's website at http://www.cathayusa.com/sitedefault.asp.
Midwest Airlines
Midwest Airlines (formerly known as Midwest Express) announced on March 20 that Phey will waive fees to change bookings. This policy applies only to tickets purchased before military action or a Level Red Alert is declared. Customers will be able to apply the full value of their original ticket toward the purchase of another ticket on Midwest Airlines and/or Midwest Connect. They wi ll be charged any difference in fares applicable to peak travel periods, day of week, booking class availability, and tax or fee increases; refunds will not be given if the new fare is lower. Rescheduled travel must be completed by October 31, 2003. The rebooking can be effected up to 24 hours prior to the originally planned departure. For further details, visit Midwest's website at http://www.midwestairlines.com.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is offering a temporary policy that lets travelers flying between the U.S and U.K and U.K to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo to cancel bookings and rebook at a later date without paying a cancellation charge or change fee. The policy applies to ticket holders and anyone else who is booked and ticketed by March 25. Changes or cancellations must be made at least 72 hours prior to departure and by May 31. All travel on the revised itinerary must be completed by Dec. 31. For further details, visit Virgin Atlantic's website at
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com.
Mexicana Airlines
Mexicana Airlines announced that it will be waiving change penalties for all passengers traveling within the duration of the war. The terms of this policy will be made applicable to all Mexicana and code-share operated itineraries ticketed in the United States for international travel from the U.S. and Canada to Mexico, Central America and South America or for travel domestically within Mexico. Non-refundable fares will remain non-refundable but fare validities will be extended and travel will be permitted until December 14th, 2003 provided other fare conditions and rules (day of week application, etc.) are met. Penalties for date changes on non-refundable, net, bulk and all tickets purchased on-line will be waived. Itinerary and/or changes made to non-reissuable tickets will be subject to applicable fare difference but will not be assessed any change penalty fees. For further details, visit Mexicana's website at http://www.mexicana.com.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier announced on March 19 that they are enacting their flexibility ticketing options announce on March 14. The airline will will allow customers holding previously issued tickets for travel commencing by June 19 (90 days of the start of military action) to make a one-time itinerary change without incurring the standard administrative fee. The new itinerary must reflect travel that occurs before June 19. The policy will cover Frontier's entire route system, including Mexico. The policy will also apply to customers flying on EarlyReturn redemption miles. For further details, visit Frontier's website at http://www.frontierairlines.com.
Aero Mexico
AeroMexico customers holding tickets issued in the U.S. for travel to Mexico prior to the outbreak of military action or the announcement of a "code red" alert will be able to make changes without incurring any penalty fees. Passengers will be able to apply the full value of the unused ticket for future travel without incurring change or penalty fees provided they contact AeroMexico prior to the original departure date. All new reservations will be subject to availability and applicable fare rules such as minimum/maximum stay, advance purchase requirements, etc. Dates of travel can be changed through December 14, 2003 and are subject to differences in fare and taxes. A one-time change in destination city will also be allowed, subject to difference in fare and taxes. All standard fare rules will apply to tickets issued and/or purchased after the commencement of military action. For further details, visit Aero Mexico's website at http://www.aeromexico.com.
Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air announced on March 19 that they will enact a new policy that will allow customers to postpone travel without incurring standard change fees Alaska and Horizon will waive the usual $50 change fee for customers who purchase tickets prior to April 19 for travel through May 18. The original reservation must be changed or canceled prior to the originally scheduled departure date. The new ticket must be reissued by April 19, and travel must be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2003. The full value of an unused ticket may be used toward the purchase of a new ticket, which is subject to availability and applicable changes in fares. For more information about this new policy, visit Alaska Airline's website at http://www.alaskaair.com or Horizon Air's website at http://www.horizonair.com.
America West
America West announced on March 19 that they will waive the change fee. The airline will allow a one-time change for each ticket when customers notify the airline during the time period of its travel policy. The policy includes flights in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and also applies to FlightFund members who redeemed frequent-flyer miles. Rebooking need not take place immediately, America West, although when customers do rebook, their new departure date can be no earlier than 30 days from their original travel date. Customers will have until Oct. 31 to complete their travel or longer, if necessary. Customers in the middle of a trip will be allowed to change their return plans by standing by for free any time during the first seven days that the policy is in effect. Those affected may change the cities they are flying to and from. For further details, visit America West's website at http://www.americawest.com.
Air Canada
Air Canada announced on March 19 that they will allow customers holding discounted tickets for travel to/from the United States or international destinations during the next 30 days may change their travel dates without penalty, with all travel completed by December 31, 2003. In addition, customers who have commenced travel to the United States or international destinations on discounted tickets and now wish to return earlier than planned to Canada or their point of origin may also re- book their travel at no penalty. Regular travel restrictions on discounted tickets continue to apply for travel within Canada. Customers who choose to change their tickets must do so prior to their departure date. Future reservations are subject to availability and applicable fare rules. The policy applies to travelers on Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Tango and Air Canada codeshare flights operated by Star Alliance partners, as well as Aeroplan reward travel. For further details, visit Air Canada's website at http://www.aircanada.com.
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines announced on March 19 that it is allowing customers who have purchased tickets for U.S. domestic and international travel through May 18 may make a one-time change to their travel plans without paying the standard change fee. To take advantage of the new policy, customers must make the change by the earlier of April 19 or their originally scheduled date of travel. Travel may be rescheduled for any date through Dec. 31, 2003. The policy applies to travel on Continental, Continental Express, Continental Connection, Continental Micronesia and codeshare flights operated by Virgin Atlantic. It also applies to passengers who started travel prior to March 19 and wish to change their return. These policies are subject to change, with or without notice. In addition, Continental announced that customers who purchased tickets between March 5 and March 31 for international travel (except between Canada and the United States, between the United States and Guam, Saipan, Micronesia, Palau and Marshall Islands and within Guam, Saipan, Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands) through Dec. 31, may change their itinerary one time without paying the standard change fee. Tickets must be changed by May 31, 2003, or by the originally scheduled travel date, whichever is earlier. For further details, visit Continental's website at
http://www.continental.com.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines announced on March 19 changes to their cancellation policy originally implemented on March 1. Delta Air Lines is immediately allowing customers to rebook their travel for another time or destination (domestic or international), and Delta will waive any change fees or penalties. A refund will not be given, and the customer must pay any difference in fare. A nonrefundable Delta travel credit will be given if the new itinerary results in a lower fare. The original reservation must be canceled at least one day in advance of the originally-scheduled departure date. New travel plans must be created and tickets reissued by May 31, 2003. All travel must be completed by Dec. 31, 2003. Only one voluntary change is allowed. For further details, visit Delta's website at
http://www.delta.com.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced on March 19 that they will relax its policy with respect to itinerary changes.
Passengers with tickets that do not allow refunds in accordance with the fare rules will now be able to change their outbound and homebound flights once at no extra charge. A number of conditions apply in such cases.
This adjustment only applies to destinations for which an official government negative travel advice has been issued.
For further details, visit KLM's website at http://www.klm.com.
American Airlines
American Airlines announed on March 18 changes to their 'Comfort Level' cancellation policy originally implemented on March 7. American's Comfort Level Policy offers flexibility to all customers, including those with U.S. domestic and international tickets, by allowing them to make a one-time change to their travel plans without paying the standard change fee. This policy applies to tickets purchased any time through April 19 for travel through May 18. To take advantage of this policy, customers must make the change by April 19 or no later than their originally scheduled date of travel. Travel may be rescheduled for any date through Dec. 31, 2003. The policy applies to travel on American Eagle and AmericanConnection as well. It also applies to passengers who started travel prior to March 19 and wish to change their return. American will make appropriate changes as necessary to its policies. Such changes could be immediate if there is no military conflict. For further details, visit American's website at http://www.aa.com.
US Airways
US Airways announced on March 18 changes to their 'peace of mind' cancellation policy originally implemented on March 1. The 'peace of mind' policy starts on March 19 and will allow customers to make changes to itineraries for travel originating March 19 through June 17, 2003, without incurring standard change fees. Travel within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada may be rescheduled to originate on or before June 17, 2003. Customers scheduled to fly to or from Europe, the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and Mexico during the 90-day flexible travel period may reschedule travel to originate on or before Dec. 15, 2003. The policy applies to tickets purchased, and award tickets issued, on or before April 2, 2003. Itinerary changes must be made prior to the scheduled departure or before April 2, 2003. All rules and restrictions of the fare purchased will apply, and customers are responsible for any difference in fare. US Airways could extend the change and flexible travel periods, and will announce those changes should the need arise. For further details, visit US Airways' website at http://www.usairways.com.
United Airlines
United Airlines announced on March 18 changes to their war time cancellation policy originally implemented on March 7. United will allow last minute cancellations without penalty regardless of war or heightened security alert. Customers with tickets for travel on or before May 18 may rebook once without penalty, so long as their travel is completed by Dec. 31. Customers already enroute may rebook now, so long as they finish travel by May 18. The policy will apply to all tickets issued on or before March 31. Customers wishing to rebook must tell United or their travel agents by the earlier of their scheduled departure or April 19. For further details, visit United's website at http://www.ual.com.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa announced on March 18 that they will allow passengers who don't want to fly to and from the U.S., Canada, Asia and the Middle East to cancel or rebook their flights free of charge for the next two months. Customers wishing to rebook or reroute planned flights will be allowed to do so without paying the rebooking fee or the fee for the issue of a new ticket. In the event of the issue of a new ticket, the full price of the original ticket will be set off against the new one. If the new ticket is more expensive, the customer will only pay the difference; if the new ticket is less expensive, he will receive a credit note which can be redeemed against the purchase of a new flight ticket. In the case of journeys already started, the ticket can be rebooked once free of charge. The rebooking can be effected up to 24 hours prior to the originally planned departure. For further details, visit Lufthansa's website at http://konzern.lufthansa.com/en/index.html.
Qantas Airways
Qantas announced on March 18 that they will waive certain restrictions to allow U.S., Canada, and Mexico customers more travel flexibility in the event of a military action or a Homeland Security-issued Level Red Alert. Qantas Airways will allow customers who purchase tickets between March 7 and March 31, 2003 for travel through December 31, 2003, to change their itinerary one time without paying the standard change fee. Tickets must be changed by May 31, 2003, or by the originally scheduled travel date, whichever is earlier. Travel may be rescheduled for any date through December 31, 2003, and all re-ticketed travel must be completed by that date. For further details, visit Qantas' website at http://www.qantas.com.
Air France
Air France announced on March 17 that they will waive certain restrictions to allow U.S. customers more travel flexibility as tensions in the Middle East continue to build. Air France's new policy will allow customers to change both their travel date and destination without paying the usual service charge required on most non-refundable economy fares. To qualify, customers must have purchased tickets in the United States to any international destination. Tickets must be issued on or before March 31 and have a departure date on or before June 30. Customers must depart the United States before Dec. 31. Other restrictions apply. For further details, visit Air France's website at http://www.airfrance.com/us.
American Trans Air (ATA)
American Trans Air (ATA) has established a flexible travel policy that waives standard re-booking fees for customers who wish to change their plans. This change is effective immediately upon the declaration of war or an announced "Code Red" by the Department of Homeland Security. This new travel policy applies to customers holding tickets issued prior to the start of a military conflict or Code Red alert. Customers will be allowed to postpone their travel and apply the full value of the unused ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket, with no change fee, as long as travel is initiated within 90 days from the start of military conflict or Code Red alert. Customers will need to contact ATA prior to their originally scheduled departure and make arrangements to postpone travel. Future reservations will be subject to availability and applicable fare rules. Tickets purchased after the start of military conflict or Code Red alert will be subject to rules applicable to the fare purchased. For further details, visit ATA's website at http://www.ata.com.
Northwest Airlines
Should a military conflict commence, Northwest Airlines is offering a flexible ticketing policy, which would apply to international tickets that have already been issued. Northwest is offering customers the following options: Changing travel scheduled within 90 days of when hostilities commence to an earlier or later date one time without paying penalty fees. All return travel must be concluded by December 15, 2003. Or, applying the full value of their original ticket towards the purchase of another ticket on Northwest or KLM, provided that travel is completed by December 15, 2003. While Northwest will waive the change fee one time, customers will be responsible for any difference in fare and must qualify for all of the requirements of their new fare. Should the new fare be lower, refunds will not be given.
The policy also applies to customers traveling on award tickets related to Northwest's WorldPerks frequent flyer program. For further details, visit Northwest's website at http://www.nwa.com.
Aloha Airlines
Aloha Airlines will waive change fees in the event that war breaks out or the national security threat advisory is raised to Code Red. Customers who hold reservations for travel within 90 days of the start of war or the declaration of a Code Red alert will not be assessed a change fee for an initial change in their itinerary. For further details, visit Aloha's website at http://www.alohaairlines.com.
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