20% discount takes effect for online travel booking by senior citizens, PWDs

Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability (PWDs) can soon avail of a 20% discount when booking domestic flights online.

The Department of TransportationCivil Aeronautics Board last July 13 approved the Resolution requiring local airlines to give a 20% discount on tickets purchased via the carrier's website or a mobile application. Before this, the discount was only applied to face to face transactions.

Under the Resolution, senior citizens, PWDs, or their representatives must input the passenger’s details including date of birth and ID number indicated in the Senior Citizen or PWD card.

CAB directed airlines to establish the necessary system in their websites to process the 20% discount based on the actual fare, including promotional fares which they sell directly. However, the discount shall not cover lawful taxes and other fees and charges imposed in relation to domestic air travel.

A breakdown and summary of the amount to be paid must be known to the Senior Citizen or PWD before the transaction is completed. The document confirming the passenger’s seat reservation or booking must likewise indicate that the passenger was granted the 20% discount for proper verification at the check-in counter.

Passengers who avail of the discount must present necessary identification upon check-in.

The resolution will take effect 15 days after publication. After this, airlines will be given two months from date of effectivity to develop and fully implement a virtual system that would apply the discount on online transactions.

The discount shall not be applicable to tickets sold by virtue of indirect or external sales promotions which contain promises of gain, such as through winning in a contest, game, and other similar competition. (EVA)