Flexible tickets do not mean a free change…and the traveler is obligated to pay the price difference

Travel agency officials confirmed that travelers are attracted to the low price when purchasing airline tickets, but they do not notice that any emergency change in their plans may cause them to lose the entire value of the ticket, or pay high fees that sometimes exceed the difference between the basic category and the highest price category, pointing out that the “no modification fees” for flexible tickets does not mean that the change is completely free, as the traveler remains obligated to pay the price difference.

They reviewed for “Emirates Today” the categories of air tickets and the difference between them, in terms of cost and benefits, stressing that the price categories of air tickets are more diverse and complex than many travelers think. They said that “price rules” and conditions for amendment and cancellation have become a decisive factor that may double the cost of an air ticket or save it in the event of a change in travel plans. They stressed that understanding the air ticket price categories has become a necessity to avoid unexpected costs, considering the change and refund policy the decisive factor in the final cost. For the trip.

Travel tickets

In detail, Badr Ahli, CEO of Dubai World Travel Company, said, “The price categories for travel tickets are more diverse and complex than many travelers think, as the price shown when booking is no longer the only indicator of the actual cost of the trip. Rather, (price rules) and conditions for modification and cancellation have become decisive factors that may double the cost or availability in the event of a change in travel plans.”

Ahly added that the difference between the types of tickets is not related to the seat or service only, but rather to the financial flexibility associated with each reservation, pointing out that the cheapest category, which is often known as the basic ticket or promotional price, is restricted by strict conditions, as it usually does not allow cancellation or modification, and is also non-refundable for many airlines.

Ahly stressed the importance of reading the terms and conditions, noting that some of the benefits of the flexible tickets themselves may change from one airline company to another, and therefore checking the benefits before booking is of prominent importance.

He continued: “Even if the ticket is cancelled, it is valid for a specific period of 12 months, for example, after which the customer will lose the value of the ticket if he does not benefit from it,” pointing out that the benefits of flexible flight tickets themselves may vary from one trip to another.

My family mentioned that travelers are attracted to the low price, but they do not notice that any unforeseen change in their plans may cause them to lose the full value of the ticket or pay high fees that sometimes exceed the difference between the basic class and the highest-priced class upon first booking.

He explained that, on the other hand, there are airline companies offering what are known as flexible tickets, which are a higher price category that allows the holder to modify the travel date or cancel the reservation without direct modification fees. However, what many travelers do not realize is that “no modification fees” does not mean that the change is completely free, as the traveler remains obligated to pay the price difference if the price of the ticket on the new date is higher than the original price. He revealed that airlines have in many cases canceled the fixed modification fees for flexible tickets, and he continued: “For example, a traveler who bought a flexible ticket. For 2000 dirhams, then he decided to change it to a peak period in which the price rose to 3200 dirhams, as he would not pay an adjustment fee, but he would pay 1200 dirhams the price difference, which surprised people who thought that flexibility meant (zero) of the additional cost.

He explained that the correct decision depends not only on the lowest price, but also on the stability of the travel plan and the possibility of it changing. The traveler who has a confirmed schedule may benefit from the basic ticket, but for those who are likely to change his dates, it is better for him to calculate the cost of the risk in advance, and choose a flexible or refundable ticket.

My family said: “In all cases, the rule (price difference) remains the decisive factor, and it should be carefully paid attention to, because flexibility in the aviation industry does not necessarily mean free change, but rather it often means canceling a specific fee, while remaining committed to paying the difference according to the price prevailing at the time of the modification. It is a small detail on its face, but it may constitute a large financial difference in the flight budget.”

Ticket categories

For his part, the General Manager of Al-Awadhi Travel Company, Amin Al-Awadhi, said that “ticket price categories vary between (basic or promotional), as well as (flexible prices) and (the most flexible), while the fundamental differences between them lie in three main elements, which are: flexibility of modification and cancellation, and the benefits accompanying the seat, in addition to baggage,” pointing out that these elements differ between commercial and economic airlines.

He explained that the “basic” category is the lowest-priced option, and is directed to travelers who focus on reducing costs to a minimum, and has fewer advantages, but most importantly, this category, in most cases, does not allow re-booking or canceling the ticket, which means that any change in plans may lead to a loss of the value of the ticket.

Al-Awadhi pointed out that the “flexible” category provides additional benefits for a relatively higher price, as it includes more weight than registered baggage, but it keeps seat selection at an additional fee in many cases. This category allows for the possibility of re-booking or cancellation for a specific fee, which provides a degree of flexibility compared to the basic category, without reaching the level of full flexibility.

He explained that the “most flexible” category offers a higher level of comfort and more weight than registered baggage, and in some cases with seat selection without additional fees, but that depends on the ticket category, in addition to the possibility of modifying or canceling the reservation for free. However, any modification remains subject to the price difference, if the price of the new flight is higher than the original price.

Unexpected costs

In addition, the CEO of Sharif House Tourism and Travel Company, Sharif Al-Farm, said, “Understanding the price categories of airline tickets has become a necessity to avoid unexpected costs that may be borne by a wide segment of travelers as a result of not reviewing the terms and conditions before completing the reservation.”

He stated that airline companies today adopt a system of “price segments” within one class, so that the benefits and restrictions vary greatly, indicating that the lowest price classes are usually restricted, and may not allow the ticket value to be refunded at all, while the degree of flexibility gradually increases as the price increases.

He continued: “Many travelers choose the cheapest ticket without reading the small details, and then they are later surprised by high fees, when trying to change the flight time or cancel it, or by discovering that checked baggage is not included in the price, in many cases, especially for budget airlines.” He pointed out that there are categories that provide a free change for once or cancel modification fees, but that does not necessarily mean that the change is cost-free, noting that “the most important condition that must be paid attention to is the change and refund policy, because it is the factor.” The decisive factor in the final cost of the trip.

He stressed the importance of reading the terms and conditions associated with each price category before paying, and checking the baggage details, amendment fees, refund policy, and the validity period of any future credit.

He stressed that good planning does not only mean searching for the lowest price, but rather choosing the category that suits the nature of the trip and the possibility of changing plans, because the small difference in price when booking may save larger amounts later, pointing out that there are flexible categories that allow for the possibility of earning miles and upgrading using miles.

Badr my family:

• Travelers are attracted to the low price of tickets, but they do not notice that any emergency change in their plan may cause them to lose the full value of the ticket.

Amin Al-Awadi:

• The “Basic” category is the cheapest option for airline tickets, and is directed to travelers who focus on reducing costs to a minimum.

Sharif Al-Farm:

• The most important condition that you must pay attention to is the change and refund policy, because it is the decisive factor in the final cost of the trip.