Cheap flights: The devil is in the details
The temptation is huge. You look for the cheapest air fare, the best deal on a hotel or a bargain on a car. When you have to cancel, that’s when you’ll really pay.
At least it’s not like the old days when you missed a flight and you ripped up the ticket. These days there are options.
“The news isn’t too grim even if you are booking the most basic type of economy fare,” says Andrew Lau, product manager and a deals expert at redflagdeals.com. “Usually the airlines are not so restrictive that you get no options.”
The trick is what options do you get and what are you willing to pay for the right to switch your plans suddenly — a state many find themselves in these days with busy lives and changing schedules.
For starters, most airlines now have a policy that allows you to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking at no cost. Call it a buyer’s remorse plan.
But after the grace period, you’re hooked. A travel insurance policy is an absolute must for most families. Most of the time you get health insurance and trip cancellation up to a certain value of your trip.
I pay about $125 annually for my travel insurance policy and get $5,000 of cancellation insurance subject to a small deductible. The problem is someone has to be sick or worse to get your money back.
Policies that allow you to cancel because you’ve simply changed your mind are a little tougher to find.
Air Canada has clear guidelines on what it will cost you to switch flights so go into booking a flight with your eyes wide open.
Air Canada’s lowest price fare clearly states it will cost you $75 to change your flight, plus any price difference for the new flight, all subject to availability. If the new flight is less than the old one, you forfeit the difference. And you can’t change the name on the ticket.
Air Canada will also let you buy your flights in bulk up front — you pay a set fee for flight credits that allow you to fly in a specific zone for a set time subject to flight availability.
Joseph Adamo, vice-president of marketing with Air Transat, said his company also offers some ability to cancel trips, but with flexibility comes increased costs. The company just introduced a cancellation plan for its all-inclusive packages for $49.
Melisse Hinkle, site editor and travel expert for Boston- based cheapflights.ca, said consumers have to educate themselves about what they are signing up for when they buy a vacation.
“I think we’ve gained flexibility, especially when you are looking for a deal. The more flexibility you have, the more likely you get a good price for your flight,” she said.
Financial Post gmarr@nationalpost.com
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