BRITS could have to pay to rearrange flights next year, even if plans are interrupted by the pandemic.
The vast majority of airlines have waived their cancellation fees or brought in policies that mean you can swap your flights for free.
This has meant people felt comfortable booking holidays, safe in the knowledge that if coronavirus threw a spanner in the works there was a plan B in place.
But now airlines are rethinking their policies, meaning unexpected disruption due to the ongoing pandemic could prove very expensive.
Lots of Brits may have planned holidays for next year, not realising that the added flexibility no longer covers their trip.
But with cases spiking, it’s likely to disruption could continue well into next year.
The good news is if the airline has to cancel your flight due to Covid-19 they’ll still have to give you a free refund.
But if you want to rearrange, for instance if you catch coronavirus and have to isolate, you might have to may to change your flights.
For instance, Easyjet’s travel restriction protection only applies to flights up until December 31.
At the moment, any flights booked after that are not subject to the guarantee, meaning Easyjet can charge you if you need to move them.
Ryanair also lets you move your trip without having to play a flight change fee, but again the policy only counts for flights before December 31.
You also need to have made the booking before September 30, if you want the free flexibility and you can only make changes twice.
Any flights booked for next year don’t have protection, so if you want to rearrange due to Covid it could be expensive.
British Airways is a safer bet if you want a holiday next year because its Covid-19 flexible policy lasts until August 31, 2022.
Under the policy, customers can change their flights fee-free, although if there’s a difference in fare you will have to pay that.
Both Jet2 and WhizzAir are already charging for rearranged flights – even if the pandemic causes disruption.
If you’re booking a holiday, make sure you check the terms and conditions carefully to see what happens if you decide you want to move it.
Make sure you have decent travel insurance too – you’ll need to shop around to get the best deal.
Even though many providers have exclusions for coronavirus-related issues, there are some that will cover you.
Here’s our list of the best travel insurance providers that cover Covid, including if you can’t go after testing positive.
Make sure you check the rules for the country you’re travelling to and what the FDCO advice is.
If the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel when you book, you may not be covered.
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