The COVID-19 pandemic has affected several areas of the global economy. Due to the fast-spreading virus and its constant mutation into new variants, governments worldwide have had to impose stringent rules on international flights. Currently, it’s impossible to board an aeroplane if you’re not fully vaccinated. In addition, some countries are so strict that they don’t allow visitors from regions with reported cases of Omicron, the latest variant of the coronavirus.
Since nobody knows when the world will overcome this menace, it’s wise to ready yourself for unannounced flight cancellations and postponements. You can prepare by purchasing flexible airline tickets, whether you’re flying within the country or abroad.
In these times of uncertainty, booking a flexible ticket gives you peace of mind if a flight gets postponed or cancelled. Continue reading to discover why flexible airline tickets are more important now and where and how to get them.
What are Flexible Airline Tickets?
If you’ve ever been aboard an aircraft, you’re aware that each cabin has its classification. The most common classes are:
- Economy, which is the cheapest and offers basic services.
- Business, which has many luxuries to offer.
- First-class, which is the costliest and provides premium services to passengers.
Sometimes, there are also different types of fares within these classes – each of which is has a unique price with a different set of conditions.
That said, you can add perks to your ticket, regardless of its classification. For instance, a basic economy ticket doesn’t give you the freedom to choose your preferred seat. However, a flexible ticket, such as Qantas’s Economy Flex, allows you to enjoy additional privileges.
You can change your travelling dates as you want with a flexible ticket, which is impossible if you have a regular ticket. Moreover, Economy Flex earns you more status credits and points than a standard ticket, enabling you to redeem better rewards from the carrier’s loyalty program.
What’s the Best Time to Purchase a Flexible Ticket?
Many factors can drive you into purchasing a flexible airline ticket, but the best time is when you’re likely to face a situation that forces you to cancel or postpone a flight. Unlike regular tickets, you won’t spend a lot of money cancelling or adjusting a flexible ticket.
Having this flexibility is invaluable due to the uncertainty experienced since the emergence of COVID-19. Lockdowns and travel restrictions have become common, and having a flexible ticket assures you that everything will be alright even if a flight is cancelled or postponed.
What’s the Effect of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Flexible Fares?
Currently, most airlines allow customers to freely adjust their flight schedules, even if they don’t have flexible tickets. For instance, Qantas will allow you to change your travelling date without paying additional fees, provided there’s no difference in the fares. It’s essential to note that this is a temporary offer subject to change without notice.
The Flexibility of a Round-the-world Trip
If you’re a travel enthusiast interested in traversing different parts of the world, you might want to consider going for a round-the-world trip. Here, you can travel to other countries at your pace, with a custom schedule that meets your interests. Like sea voyages, these trips are cost-effective and highly flexible and allow you to enjoy the world’s diversity.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re going to a particular destination or planning to travel around the world, purchasing a flexible airline ticket is a wise decision. You can change the schedule anytime you want without paying lots of money. Even better, you won’t feel the pinch of the COVID-19 travel restrictions.
