Cheap Flights
According to this article from Dollar Flight Club, flights are at their cheapest price point since 2001. The deals happening right now are pretty drastic. If people feel comfortable booking a trip right now they should definitely jump on this opportunity. Of course, this depends on your risk tolerance and the many other factors of COVID-19.
Here are some examples of cheap flights the Dollar Flight Club discovered:
- Los Angeles to London – $329 round trip
- Los Angeles to Barcelona – $303 round trip
- Chicago to Paris – $278 round trip
- Chicago to Buenos Aires – $378 round trip
- New York to Amsterdam – $278 round trip
- New York to Athens – $296 round trip
Once the world stops socially distancing and people are comfortable traveling again, the prices of flights should soar. There is definitely a window of opportunity here to book cheaper flights if someone is interested.
Cancellation Policy
Yes, these flights are cheap but what about the airline and hotel cancellation policy? According to CNN, below are the major airline and hotel chains’ cancellation policies at a glance. We must note policies are constantly being updated and changed so be sure to check the website of the company you are booking with.
Policies at a glance
Delta Air Lines has extended fee waivers through the end of May and just put an extension on using those credits to two years instead of the end of 2020.
United Airlines website states that “customers now have until April 30 to make changes to, or cancel, any travel they have booked through the end of the year without fees.”
Spirit Airlines is waiving cancellation and change fees for any travel affected by COVID-19 and credits are valid for one year.
American Airlines’ travel policy is straightforward: Any ticket purchased from March 1 at 4:30 p.m. CT through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. CT will not incur change fees prior to travel.
Marriott allows that all new reservations made between April 6 and June 30 can be canceled within 24 hours with no penalty, including prepaid, previously nonrefundable rates
Hilton has a similar policy in place for any new bookings. “Any individual reservations you make — even those described as “non-cancellable” (“Advanced Purchase”) — that are booked between [April 6] and June 30, 2020, for any future arrival date can be changed or canceled at no charge, up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival day.”
Marmara says cancellation fees will be waived if you book a stay between 3/10/20 – 4/15/20 and reservation dates are changed to depart by 12/31/20.
Concorde Hotel allows any new reservations to be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours prior to the arrival date with proof of reasoning for the cancellation.
Radisson Hotel Group extended its cancellation policy for the reservations booked with a check-in date until April 30th, 2020 in the following countries: China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Northern Italy.
Building Excitement for the Future
Booking a trip could raise your spirits! Since we are socially distancing, knowing about a trip in the near future could provide us with something to look forward to. Booking a trip feels even better knowing that you got it at a discounted rate. People want to imagine a world that is not socially distancing and embark on an amazing adventure!