Flying is an exciting experience. You simply buy your ticket, get to the airport as early as possible and board at the appropriate time. However, things do not go always go the way you plan. Your schedule may change or the weather may stop you from flying. In this case, you will be left with no choice than to change your flight ticket. Changing your flight ticket is not rocket science as some flyers make it seem like. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares easy hacks for changing your flight ticket.
- Choose a flexible carrier
If you’re concerned that you’ll need to change your flight down the road, pick an airline that waives change fees should you need to modify your departure date.
- Make your reservations early
To increase your chances of changing or cancelling your itinerary without a penalty, change your plans within 24 hours of making your reservation to avoid incurring a charge. After that, the airlines all have fees for changes. Check with your airline on what their individual policies and fees are.
- Select the right travel insurance
Whether you opt to invest in insurance will likely depend on a wide range of factors, including the length, cost and risk associated with your trip. But if you want to minimise your chances of paying more should you be affected by unforeseen circumstances, make sure you’re covered by choosing the right travel insurance company.
- Know your rights in an emergency situation
Valid emergencies such as a serious illness or other situation might qualify you for a waiver. However, know that there are no guarantees, and these scenarios qualify you on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes the airlines will extend a waiver if you can provide documentation for the cancellation.
- Know when it is cheaper to travel
Sometimes, it is cheaper to not book the flight than to deal with change or cancellation fees. If changing your flight will cost you N20,000, and your flight was initially priced at N20,000, you will end up paying N40,000. If you can look again and find the flight for less than N20,000, you’re losing less money by skipping the initial flight.
- Contributed by Adeniyi Ogunfowoke, PR Associate, Jumia Travel & Food
