Some companies have reached 30% of the ticket value

Passengers demand the abolition of “modification” fees for travel tickets

• Some customers have to amend their reservations due to emergency circumstances.

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Passengers confirmed to "Emirates Today" that airlines imposed high fees of up to 30% of the value of the ticket to modify or cancel their reservations for travel during the current summer, without informing them in advance of this when booking, despite the cancellation of these fees after the Corona virus "Covid" pandemic. -19”, calling for the cancellation of these fees until the pandemic is completely over.

For its part, airlines confirmed to "Emirates Today" that any change in the issued travel tickets is subject to their price category, revealing that the traveler is charged an additional fee, if he wants to cancel the trip, or change it.

She stated that some reservations are not subject to modification, such as travel tickets within promotional offers, and those provided in the form of gifts.

Cancel and modify

In detail, the trader, Jamal Hussein, said that an airline he deals with deducted 20% of the value of tickets he booked early for his family members to an Arab destination, after he had to amend the reservation due to emergency circumstances specific to his work and the schools of his children.

He stressed that the airline did not inform him in advance of the existence of fees for amending the reservation, after the fees for amending tickets were canceled during the last period due to the “Covid-19” pandemic, calling for transparency and informing dealers of the existence of these fees so that the decision to book is made or not.

As for the dealer, Muhammad Yassin, he confirmed a 30% discount from the value of tickets after he was forced to cancel his travel to a destination where cases of Corona virus increased.

He said that the airline informed him that all cancellations, for any reason, are subject to fees, pointing out that these fees are very high and exaggerated.

He called on airlines and booking agents to inform customers in advance of the existence of fees for modification or cancellation, and also demanded that fees be continued until after the end of the pandemic, which is still ongoing in different regions of the world, and affects travel plans.

For her part, the trader, "Alia.M", confirmed that her and her family's infection with the Corona virus forced her to amend the reservation, but the airline deducted 25% of the ticket value, an amendment fee, although the reason for the modification was unforeseen and out of control satisfactory conditions.

And they agreed that the fees are too high and exaggerated, and demanded that they be abolished until the “Covid-19” pandemic ends permanently.

"Fly Emirates"

In addition, Emirates Airlines said that any change in travel tickets issued after last April 30 is subject to the price category of the ticket, pointing out that there are categories of travel tickets that are subject to fees in cases of modification or cancellation.

«Etihad Airways»

As for "Etihad Airways", it stated that the traveler is charged an additional fee, if he wants to cancel the flight, or change it, pointing out that the value of the fee depends on the route and the price at which the reservation was made.

She explained that if the traveler wants to cancel the reservation, the refund of the amount paid will be subject to the rules applicable to the original ticket price.

She stressed that making changes to the reservation or canceling it 96 hours before the flight time, will result in an additional fee of 10%.

Etihad Airways noted that the traveler will not be charged any change or refund fees for the monetary value in the event of the death of a passenger or one of his immediate family members, provided that the required official documents are provided.

She pointed out that if the traveler does not join his trip, he will be charged with no-show fees and change fees, advising customers to inform the company before “missing the trip”, as the return trip, or his next trip, will be canceled if he does not inform the company.

"Arabia Airlines"

For its part, “Air Arabia” revealed that travelers can modify the travel day and travel destination via the Internet, or by calling one of the contact offices, or visiting the sales centers or one of its partners from the travel offices, pointing out that this process is subject to modification fees, in addition to The difference in ticket value is the result of the adjustment.

Air Arabia clarified that passengers can make adjustments up to 24 hours before departure (72 hours for flights departing from or to Morocco).

If the traveler purchased the ticket through a promotional offer, or if they booked a flexible ticket, they will be able to make adjustments up to eight hours prior to the scheduled time of departure without an amendment fee.

The company stressed that some reservations are not subject to modification, such as promotional tickets, and those provided in the form of gifts.

Refund

Air Arabia confirmed that it does not have a refund policy, but the amount paid by the traveler is kept in the form of credit, after deducting cancellation fees and all other fees that apply to the case.

She explained that the traveler will be able to use this money for future trips within a period of one year from the date of payment, noting that the balance policy does not apply to flights to or from Morocco.

Opportunity for airlines

An official in an Arab airline said, “F.

L”, that any changes in travel tickets, whether for personal reasons, or related to the repercussions of the “Covid-19” pandemic, are generally subject to fees with most airlines currently, pointing out that fees vary according to factors such as the class of travel, destination, and others.

He added that this summer is enjoying strong demand for travel for the first time in two years, which provides an opportunity for airlines to improve their operational performance, after they suffered heavy losses during the past two years due to the pandemic.

He explained that canceling or modifying travel, especially in the last moments, deprives other travelers of travel, and deprives the company of income it needs, advising travelers to plan travel well and not to book randomly to avoid imposing fees.

Some tickets are not subject to change, such as being sold as promotions or given as gifts.

Some companies do not have a refund policy, but rather keep it as a future balance. 

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