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Basic Guide to Airline, Hotel, and Travel Portal Change/Cancelation Policies due to Coronavirus

Disclosure: Basic Travel Couple, LLC has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Basic Travel Couple, LLC and CardRatings and MileValue may receive a commission from card issuers. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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The impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) has torn through the travel industry like a tornado. Airlines have decreased the number of flights departing with some destinations completely canceled. Hotels are seeing a 60-70% reduction in their occupancy. Restaurants are limiting the number of patrons that can be seated. Tour companies are sitting idle. Fortunately, many of these businesses have adjusted their Change and Cancellation Policies due to the Coronavirus. 

I’m not advocating for people to travel or not. Ultimately that is your choice. I know that people are still traveling despite the impact of the Coronavirus. While many people are remaining home and practicing social distancing. If you do choose to travel, I’d recommend weighing the risks of not only catching and spreading the Coronavirus but also consider how quickly things are changing. 

If you are planning on traveling, a few things to think about:

  • There is no guarantee that a return flight will still be operating at the end of your trip. 
  • Border policies have been changing rapidly. You may find yourself denied entry into an international country that was open 24 hours prior. Be sure to individually check with the countries government website on recent travel bans before boarding a plane. 
  • The United States has also restricted travel from countries in Europe and Asia. This is also changing rapidly. It’s important to note that United States Citizens and Legal Residents can still travel back to the United States from those countries but will be mandated to go through additional screening upon arrival. You can find the most up to date information on USA Travel Restrictions by clicking HERE
  • There have been rumors of restricting domestic travel. Hard to say what that would look like but I’m sure it would be stressful trying to fly anywhere. 

If you do choose to Travel, be sure to review these strategies on how to be safe and stay healthy!

Below you’ll find the most up-to-date Change/Cancellation policies for Airlines, Hotels, and Travel Portals. Please let us know if you find one that is no longer accurate due to a change. 

Airlines

Remember that anytime a flight is changed by the airline it doesn’t hurt to reach out and ask for a cash refund. Most airlines are offering relaxed change fees and options to cancel for credit towards future travel. You’ll find our basic list of Airline’s Updated Change/Cancelation Policy due to the Coronavirus below. 

Southwest 

No Cancel/Change Fees. Southwest Airlines never charges Customers a fee to change or cancel their flight. If a Customer’s plans change, or they decide they no longer want to travel, the funds used to pay for their flight can be applied to future travel – as long as they cancel their flight at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. The funds are valid for future travel up to one year from the original purchase date and must be used by the individual named on the ticket. Flights booked with Rapid Rewards Points will be transferred back into the account after a cancelation. 

JetBlue

We are waiving change/cancel fees for customers traveling through May 31, 2020. Customers may rebook their flights for travel through January 4, 2021 prior to the departure time of their originally scheduled flight. Fare difference may apply. For cancellations, funds will be issued as a JetBlue Travel Bank Credit, valid for 24 months from date of issuance. JetBlue Vacations bookings will be issued as JetBlue Vacations Credit, valid for 24 months from date of issuance.


Change/Cancelation Fees Suspended for New Bookings. Due to continued concerns about the coronavirus, JetBlue has suspended change and cancel fees for all new flight bookings made between March 27, 2020 and April 30, 2020 for travel through January 4, 2021. If you need to travel, you can book with confidence on jetblue.com and jetbluevacations.com and know that changes or cancellations will be allowed without penalty should travel plans change.

The change/cancel fees suspension still applies for bookings made between February 27 and March 5, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020, and for bookings made between March 6 and March 26, 2020 for travel through September 8, 2020.

American Airlines

Waived Change Fees for Certain Dates of Travel or Cancel for Credit Towards Future Travel. Customers who bought tickets before March 1, 2020 and are traveling through April 30, 2020, can rebook without change fees. Customers who book March 1 – March 31, 2020, for travel through January 30, 2021, can change their reservation at a later date without change fees. 

You’ll find detailed instructions on how to change and cancel a flight on American Airlines by clicking HERE

United Airlines 

Waived Change Fees for Certain Dates of Travel or Cancel for Credit Towards Future Travel. If you are scheduled to travel between now and April 30 and would like to change your plans, there is no fee to do so. You can cancel your flight for a future travel credit quickly on united.com or through the United mobile app – a phone call is not required. To change or cancel your flight online, view your reservation, enter your trip details and select the appropriate option. 

For step-by-step instructions on how to change or cancel a United Airlines flight Click HERE.

Delta Airlines 

Waived Change Fees for Certain Dates of Travel or Cancel for Credit Towards Future Travel. If you miss your flight, Delta is issuing eCredits for all customers in the reservation. The eCredit can be used towards booking future travel. Delta has waived change fees for travel departing in March or April 2020, as well as all tickets purchased in March 2020. 

If your travel is eligible for a waiver, you can move your travel dates and even select a new destination. Select a flight that begins before December 31, 2020 or your ticket expiration date. Your unused ticket will be applied toward your new flight. If the new fare is lower, you will receive a Delta travel voucher for the difference. If the new fare is higher, the difference will be applied.

Alaska Airlines 

Waived Change Fees for Certain Dates of Travel or Cancel for Credit Towards Future Travel. 

For tickets purchased on/before February 26, 2020

  • If you purchased a Saver fare for travel through April 30, 2020, you may:
  • If you purchased a nonrefundable First Class, main, or award ticket for travel through April 30, 2020, you may:

For tickets purchased between February 27, 2020 to March 31, 2020

  • If you purchase a Saver fare between February 27, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through February 28, 2021, you may:
  • If you purchase a nonrefundable First Class, main, or award ticket between February 27, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through February 28, 2021, you may:

British Airways

Waived Change Fees for Certain Dates of Travel or Cancel for Credit Towards Future Travel. 

For Travel Booked between March 14th and May 31st, you can cancel your booking and receive a voucher for the same value. Your voucher can be used as part payment towards a future booking to any destination. It must be redeemed for travel on flights taken within 12 months of your original date of departure.

There are no Change or Cancelation Fees for Travel Booked between March 3rd to May 31st. Flights can be canceled for a voucher that can be used as part payment towards a future booking to any destination. It must be redeemed for travel on flights taken within 12 months of your original date of departure. You can change your travel dates to the same destination up to 12 months from the original booking date at no cost to you. Fare Differences do apply. 

Singapore Airlines 

Singapore Airlines is waiving all rebooking fees for tickets issued on or before 15 March 2020, for travel up to 31 May 2020, with immediate effect. Customers can cancel their existing flight itineraries, retain the value of their tickets and rebook their travel at a later date, when they are able to firm up their new travel plans. The new flight itinerary should be completed by 31 March 2021.

This new policy will allow customers the flexibility to defer their travel plans and applies to all bookings for travel up to 31 May 2020. All rebooking fees will be waived, although a fare difference may apply for the new itinerary. SIA will continue to review its waiver policy and retains the flexibility to extend the cut-off date of 31 May 2020 as it assesses the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on global air travel in the coming weeks. For all new SIA and SilkAir tickets issued from now to 31 March 2020,

SIA will also waive change fees. Customers may contact us through our online form. Customers who booked their tickets directly through Singapore Airlines may also contact their local Singapore Airlines reservations teams. Customers who booked their tickets through travel agencies are advised to contact their agents for assistance.

Spirit Airlines 

Cancel for Future Credit. Spirit Guests who must alter their travel plans due to COVID-19 are eligible to receive a reservation credit for the full value of their reservation. This reservation credit can be used for up to 6 months to book any flight currently available (including beyond the 6-month timeframe), and it can be used towards flights as well as other options (excluding 3rd party products).

To change your reservation and claim your 6-month Reservation Credit, please fill out the form by clicking HERE.

Frontier Airlines 

Waived Change/Cancel Fees. For tickets issued prior to March 10, 2020 with original travel dates between March 10 and April 30, 2020 customers may make a one-time change to their itinerary without a change/cancel fee.

  • For tickets issued March 10 through March 31, 2020, customers may make a one-time change to their itinerary without a change/cancel fee.
  • To change your reservation under this special fee waiver, please contact Frontier at 801-401-9000. 
    • Change to new flight at a higher price the customer pays fare difference.
    • Change to a new flight at a lower price, the customer does not receive any reimbursement.
  • To cancel your reservation and retain the value of your ticket to be applied towards the purchase of a future ticket within 90 days of cancellation (for any available travel date through November 2020), please complete the form here. Select the “COVID-19 Cancel” option from the drop-down.

Hotels 

Hotels have been relaxing their change and cancellation policies due to the Coronavirus. They have also been providing its elite members with extended status and even extending the expiration dates of free night certificates. You’ll find our basic list of Hotel’s Updated Change/Cancelation Policy due to the Coronavirus below. 

Marriott 

Allowing full changes or cancellation, including reservations with pre-paid rates, without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival* for guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, and made by April 30, 2020. Changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability and any rate differences. New reservations including pre-paid rates, between today and April 30, 2020, will also be allowed to be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival date*

Guests who booked via online travel agents or other third-party travel professionals are advised to contact their booking provider for information on their policies.

*Important Information:

  • Some exclusions may apply. May exclude periods with special event restrictions or peak demand weeks. Please refer to individual property rate rules for details.
  • Marriott Vacations Worldwide is included in this policy. Design Hotels are excluded from this policy.
  • For individual reservations booked into a pre-existing group block, please refer to cancellation terms quoted at the time of reservation. For more information, please contact the group organizer or the hotel.
  • For group organizer questions on terms and conditions of group contracts, please contact the hotel.

No updates for reward night certificates or points and statues have been noted. You can also find more information on their website here

Hilton 

No Change/Cancellation fees- ALL current reservations, or future reservations booked between today and April 30, 2020 even ones that are described as “Non-cancellable” (Advanced Purchase) that are scheduled to arrive before April 30, 2020 can be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before scheduled arrival. 

If you need to adjust reservations made via the Hilton website, app or call center, contact the Hilton Guest Assistance team. If they were made through another travel site, you must contact the other travel site.

Free Weekend Night Rewards- They are extending the expiration of ALL unexpired rewards as of March 11th, 2020 to August 31, 2021, as well as all weekend night rewards issued before August 30, 2020 to extend to expire August 31, 2021

Points and Status- they are pausing expiration of ALL points scheduled to expire between now and May 31, 2020. They will be making updates to requirements for earning tier status for 2021. They have not yet announced what, but you can follow along here.

Modification and cancellation waivers in place for specific regions can be found here as well.

Hyatt

Waiving Change and Cancellation Fees- All existing reservations made before March 13, 2020 that are for arrivals between March 14 and April 30, 2020, or new reservations made between March 13, 2020 and April 30, 2020 for any future date can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate Reservations. 

Existing Advance Purchase Rate non-refundable reservations for travel through June 2020: Special exceptions are in place for all Advance Purchase Rate non-refundable reservations made directly with Hyatt on or before March 8, 2020 for arrivals before June 30, 2020. Guests holding these fully prepaid reservations who have decided not to travel may still opt, at least 24 hours before their stay, to receive 10,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points compensation in lieu of both their stay and the offer above (if eligible). World of Hyatt points may be used toward future travel at any of our 900+ hotels across 17 brands globally. 

For full details and to make arrangements, please call one of our Global Contact Centers or email us at [email protected]. Guests who booked via online travel agents or other third parties are advised to contact their booking provider for information on their policies and for assistance.

More information can be found on their website here.

World of Hyatt Member Update

Suspending Points Forfeiture: points do not expire but if a members account is inactive for 24 consecutive months, they will be forfeited. This will be suspended through May 31, 2020. 

Postponing Award Chart Changes: We are postponing the introduction of Off-peak and Peak point redemption (originally planned for March 22, 2020) until 2021. This means that free-night redemptions will continue to be at standard rates for the rest of this year. Before we launch Off-peak and Peak point redemptions for stay dates in 2021 and beyond, we’ll provide advance notice as we always do.

Evaluating Elite Tier Qualification & Benefit Extension:

In February, World of Hyatt extended elite tier status and award expiration dates for qualifying members residing in Asia Pacific. Visit the World of Hyatt COVID-19 FAQs for details.

Given the quickly evolving nature of the situation, it is simply too early to suggest revised elite tier qualifications and award expiration beyond members in Asia Pacific. However, we know that adjustments will need to be made, and we are committed to communicating these as soon as we can. 

IHG

Waiving cancellation fees– All existing and new bookings at IHG Hotels globally for stays between March 9, 2020 and April 30, 2020.

For bookings made through a travel agent or online booking platform (e.g. Booking.com, Expedia) please contact them directly – we have advised these companies of our cancellation policy and you should refer to their terms and conditions.

For bookings beyond April 30, 2020, we want to remind you of the flexibility already built into our rates and packages that allow our guests to amend travel plans as necessary. Our Best Flexible Rate allows our guests to change or cancel their reservations one to two days prior to arrival. Changing the date on any reservations through our Best Flexible Rate may result in different pricing, but there is no fee for making changes.

To inquire about any booking contact the hotel or our reservations team.

IHG Rewards Club Elite Status: They are reducing the Elite membership criteria required (nights or points) this year by 25% or more:

Wyndham 

Wyndham already has the most flexible in the hotel industry, with thousands of their hotels honoring no-fee cancellations up to 6 p.m. on the day of arrival. It seems like their policies haven’t been updated as of recently for the U.S., but we will check back and update once we hear anything else.

We have enhanced our cancellation policies as follows:

  • Guests traveling to or from Greater China, South Korea or Italy with direct bookings for stays in any of our hotels through March 31, 2020 will have their cancellation or change penalties waived.
  • Guests who are prohibited from traveling to their booked hotel under applicable law will have their cancellation or change penalties waived on direct bookings.
  • Globally, for existing direct bookings, all of our properties are required to accommodate non-cancellable rate reservation changes if the request is received at least 48 hours prior to arrival and the same number of room nights or more are booked for a future stay.
  • We are also extending current Wyndham Rewards member status for all Gold, Platinum and Diamond members from our Greater China and Southeast Asia Pacific Rim regions through the end of 2021.

More information for Wyndham can be found here.

Travel Portals & Online Travel Agencies 

The Travel Portals can be tricky. Most of them need to reach out to the specific airline or hotel to check on the current policy. This can complicate things and ultimately leave you in the middle. Double-check with the specific airline or hotel first before moving onto the Bank Portal or Online Travel Agency. 

Chase Travel Portal

If you are traveling within the next 7 days

If your travel is within the next 7 days and the airline or property you booked has issued a flexible change policy, Sign in to My Trips and click Change.

If your dates are not eligible, call or send Chase a chat message. Important: Flights booked with a low-cost carrier must be changed, canceled or refunded with the carrier directly. 

If your dates are eligible and you want to submit a refund request in line with a flexible policy, please submit this form: cancellation form. By submitting the form, you’re giving Chase the right to cancel your purchase. All cancellations are final and cannot be reversed.

If your flight has already been canceled 

We are currently working through all refunds for customers that have been affected by a route cancellation. You do not need to call us, we will email you to let you know your refund has been processed. If you need to rebook, please visit our website.

If you are traveling in more than 7 days from now

If your trip is not due to start for 7 days, please check the airline’s website to review the most up-to-date flexibility policy. Airlines are continually updating their options and eligible travel dates and destinations are changing frequently. 

For Hotels, Car Rentals, and Tours Booked through the Portal

You may already be eligible for free cancellation. To cancel eligible bookings:

  1. Sign in to My Trips and check if a penalty applies.
  2. If there is no penalty and you want to change or cancel, follow the guidance in My Trips.
  3. If there is a penalty, please check back. Eligibility guidelines are constantly changing and updates are posted closer to scheduled dates.

To speak to a Chase Travel Specialist, please call 1-888-511-5323. Advisors specializing in flights, hotels, car rentals and activities are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Advisors specializing in cruises are available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

American Express Travel 

If you need to change/cancel an existing American Express Travel reservation

If you booked your travel with American Express Travel and you need to change/cancel a booking, we’ll be honoring our airline, hotel, cruise, and car partners’ travel policies. As an additional measure, we’ll waive the American Express Travel fee on flight modifications made now through April 30, 2020. 

Air Travel: 

If you have a flight booked with American Airlines, you can cancel your flight directly on the aa.com website.

All Other Airlines:

  1. Review your airline’s change/cancellation policy to see if they are waiving change and/or cancellation fees due to this event.
  1. Prepare potential dates for rebooking your travel according to the airline’s policy coverage. Policies may change or be added at any time, so check for updates before rebooking. If your airline has not issued a policy, we can still assist you, but you will be subject to the airline’s standard rules and restrictions, including any fees and difference in airfare that may apply. When you are ready to rebook, call us at 1-800-297-2977.

Hotel Reservations

Review your hotel booking confirmation email to verify the standard change/cancellation policy for your reservation.

  • If you’re making a change to your existing reservation, please call American Express Travel at 1-800-297-2977.
  • If you’re making a cancellation that is covered by the hotel’s standard cancellation period, you can make the change online via My Trips
  • If you’re making a cancellation that is not covered by the hotel’s standard cancellation policy, you must check with the hotel to see if a change/cancellation waiver is available. To do this, please check with the hotel for their most up-to-date policy. 
  • Prepare potential dates for rebooking your travel according to the hotel’s policy. Policies may change or be added at any time, so check for updates before rebooking. If your hotel has not issued a policy, we can still assist you, but you will be subject to normal hotel policy rules and restrictions, including any fees and difference in room rates that may apply. When you are ready to rebook, call us at 1-800-297-2977.
  • Hotel waiver policies are only applicable to hotels booked via our Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) or The Hotel Collection (THC) programs and do not apply for hotels booked via our Lowest Hotel Rate Guaranteed program. Please contact us at  1-800-297-2977 for the current policy on Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee bookings.

CitiBank Travel

If you are due to travel soon and need to call us, please have your Trip ID number ready. This can be found by selecting your itinerary from My Trips. 

The ThankYou Service Center Phone Number: 1-800-THANKYOU (842-6596)

To cancel your flight

  • If your reservation does not have a current waiver or your travel is outside of the next 3 to 5 days, please wait to contact us regarding your plans so we can help those with more imminent travel.
  • If your airline has not issued a policy yet, and you still wish to cancel, please note normal airline penalties and restrictions will apply.
  • If your booking consists of 2 one-way fares, then ensure you check the policy of both airlines. If one of your flights is covered by a policy, it will not automatically cover the other flight.

To change your flight

  • Consider preferred new travel dates prior to contacting us. Please note the airline’s policy when selecting these dates. Policies may change or be added at any time, so check for updates before rebooking.
  • If your airline has not issued a policy and you still wish to change your flight please call us at 1-800-THANKYOU (842-6596) for assistance. We are currently experiencing high call volumes and recommend you wait to call us until closer to your travel dates.

To change or cancel a hotel stay

Most of the hotel and car bookings on our website are refundable until 72 hours prior to check-in or pick-up. Please check the My Trips section after you have logged in to make changes online. If your hotel charges a fee and your travel is within the next 3-5 days, please contact us at 1-800-THANKYOU (842-6596) to see if the penalty can be waived.

Capital One Travel 

In doing this research I noticed that Citibank and Capital One must use the same Travel Portal Partner since the steps for changes and cancellations are exactly the same. I copied the information from above and switched out the phone number with Capital One’s Travel Customer Service – 1-844-527-6779.

If you are due to travel soon and need to call us, please have your Trip ID number ready. This can be found by selecting your itinerary from My Trips. 

The Capital One Travel Service Center Phone Number: 1-844-527-6779.

To cancel your flight

  • If your reservation does not have a current waiver or your travel is outside of the next 3 to 5 days, please wait to contact us regarding your plans so we can help those with more imminent travel.
  • If your airline has not issued a policy yet, and you still wish to cancel, please note normal airline penalties and restrictions will apply.
  • If your booking consists of 2 one-way fares, then ensure you check the policy of both airlines. If one of your flights is covered by a policy, it will not automatically cover the other flight.

To change your flight

  • Consider preferred new travel dates prior to contacting us. Please note the airline’s policy when selecting these dates. Policies may change or be added at any time, so check for updates before rebooking.
  • If your airline has not issued a policy and you still wish to change your flight please call us at 1-844-527-6779 for assistance. We are currently experiencing high call volumes and recommend you wait to call us until closer to your travel dates.

To change or cancel a hotel stay

Most of the hotel and car bookings on our website are refundable until 72 hours prior to check-in or pick-up. Please check the My Trips section after you have logged in to make changes online. If your hotel charges a fee and your travel is within the next 3-5 days, please contact us at 1-844-527-6779 to see if the penalty can be waived.

Hotels.com

Hotels.com does not charge fees for changing or canceling a reservation. You can check with the property for their current policy. By logging into your account and clicking on your reservation the most up-to-date change and cancelation options should appear with your booking. 

To change or cancel your hotel booking

  1. Sign in to your Hotels.com account.
  2. Go to Manage your bookings.
  3. Choose the booking you wish to change or cancel.
  4. Select Cancel Room or Change booking.

To change or cancel your flight or package booking

  • To change, cancel, or rebook your flight, contact us at 1-800 807-6641.
  • Rebooked flights must be for the same traveler and on the same airline as the original booking.
  • If you purchased the Flight Cancellation Plan, you have coverage for certain types of changes and cancellations. Check your plan for details.

If you booked without a Hotels.com account

  1. Fill out the Find your bookings form and submit.
  2. Select Cancel Room or Change booking for the booking you wish to cancel.

Expecting money back from changing or canceling your hotel or vacation rental booking? 

When you paid with a credit or debit card

  • Hotels.com will process your refund and credit the card you used for your booking within 24 hours. Once that has happened, your bank will take care of the rest. Just know that it may take them up to 7 days to post the credit to your account, and up to 2 billing cycles to show on your statement.
  • More than 7 days and still no refund on your account? Get in touch with your bank or card company to check on the status.

Expedia

If you are traveling within the next 7 days

You can change or cancel many reservations from within your account without any additional fees. For hotels, flights, car rentals, and activities:

  1. Use your account or itinerary number to locate your trip.
  2. Use the Change or Cancel buttons in your itinerary for details about changing or canceling each reservation. You can also click the blue Chat button to connect with a virtual agent for assistance.

Important: If you purchased a vacation package or 2 one-way flights, each flight and each hotel reservation must be changed or canceled separately.

If you are unable to change or cancel your trip, or if there is a fee to change or cancel your reservation, please review the following based on your reservation type.

Flights

If you cannot change or cancel your flight from your account, check their cancellation policy on their website. 

Airline List One: Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, Alitalia, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, jetBlue, KLMLAN, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SwissTAP Portugal, Thai Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia , WestJet

If your airline is in the first list and their policy allows you to change or cancel your flight without a fee, please submit this form to receive credit for a future flight. We will contact you with any additional information. If you have already submitted a request, you do not need to call us for a status update.

If your airline is in the first list and they have a no-cancellation policy or they charge a fee: As always, we follow the policies of our travel partners. Any policies are at the discretion of the travel partner. We cannot change or waive their policies or their fees. Please be aware that you must request any change before your departure date.

If your airline is in the list below, we cannot change or cancel reservations for these airlines. Please follow the guidance on the airline’s website and work with them to make any changes to your flight.

Airline List Two: Aer Lingus, Air Arabia, Air Italy, AirAsia, AirAsia Zest, Air Busan, Alaska Seaplanes, Alltours, Avianca Brasil, Azul, Blu Express, Blue Air, Blue Islands, Bucher, Calafia Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Condor, Corendon Airlines, DATE, astar JetEasy, JetEdelweiss AirEurowingsEvolable Asia, Fiji Airways, firefly, Flair Air, FlyDubai, FlyErnest, Flynas, Frontier, Frosch Touristik,  Charter, Funjet, Germania, GermanwingsGo, AirGol, Grant Aviation, Hainan Airlines, HK Express, Indigo, Involatus, Jeju Air, Jet2, Jetstar, Jin, Airlove, holidays, MAYAir, Neckermann, Neos, Nok Air, NokScoot, Norwegian, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Nouvel Air, Öger, Olympic Air, Peach, Pegasus, Pobeda, Primera Air, Ryanair, Schauinsland , Reisen, Scoot, SkyExpress, SkyWork, SpiceJet, SpiritSpring,  JapanSun, Country Airlines, SunExpress, SunExpress Germany, SunwingSwoop, Thomas Cook, Tigerair, AustraliaTigerAir, TaiwanTransavia, TUI Airlines, BelgiumTUI, FlyTUI, NetherlandsT’Way, AirVanilla, AirVFly, Virgin Australia, Viva AirViva, Air Peru, Viva Aerobús, Volaris, Volotea, Vueling, Wizz Air.

Hotels

Due to COVID-19, we are waiving change fees for many hotels based on where you are traveling to or from. If you booked hotels for these destinations and are NOT a resident of these countries, you are eligible for a full refund:

  • China, Hong Kong, Macau
    • Hotels booked before Jan 30, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before March 31, 2020
  • South Korea
    • Hotels booked before Feb 25, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before March 31, 2020
  • Israel
    • Hotels booked before March 13, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before March 31, 2020
  • Marshall Islands
    • Hotels booked before March 13, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before March 27, 2020
  • El Salvador
    • Hotels booked before March 13, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before April 3, 2020
  • Denmark and Slovakia
    • Hotels booked before March 13, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before April 13, 2020
  • Czech Republic, Oman and India
    • Hotels booked before March 13, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before April 15, 2020
  • Poland
    • Hotels booked before March 15, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before March 25, 2020
  • Cyprus
    • Hotels booked before March 15, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before March 31, 2020
  • Ukraine
    • Hotels booked before March 16, 2020 with stay dates starting on or before March 30, 2020

If your reservation is eligible based on the conditions listed above, please submit this form.

If your reservation is not listed above: As always, we follow the policies of our travel partners. Any policies are at the discretion of the travel partner. We cannot change or waive their policies or their fees.

Airbnb

Reservations made on or before March 14, 2020

Reservations for stays and Airbnb Experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in date between March 14, 2020 and May 31, 2020, may be canceled before check-in. This means that guests who cancel will receive, at their option, travel credit or a full cash refund, hosts can cancel without charge or impact to their Superhost status, and Airbnb will either refund, or issue travel credit in an amount that includes, all service fees.

Reservations for stays and Airbnb Experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in date after May 31, 2020, are not currently covered for COVID-19 related extenuating circumstances. The host’s cancellation policy will apply as usual.

If a reservation has already begun (the check-in has passed) this extenuating circumstance does not apply.

Reservations made after March 14, 2020

Reservations for stays and Airbnb Experiences made after March 14, 2020 will not be covered under our extenuating circumstances policy, except where the guest or host is currently sick with COVID-19. COVID-19 related circumstances not covered include: transportation disruptions and cancellations; travel advisories and restrictions; health advisories and quarantines; changes to applicable law; and other government mandates—like evacuation orders, border closures, prohibitions on short-term rentals, and shelter-in-place requirements. The host’s cancellation policy will apply as usual.

Our extenuating circumstances policy is intended to protect guests and hosts from unforeseen circumstances that arise after booking. After the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, the extenuating circumstances policy no longer applies because COVID-19 and its consequences are no longer unforeseen or unexpected. Please remember to carefully review the host’s cancellation policy when booking and consider choosing an option that provides flexibility.

Basic Breakdown

I hope that this Master Guide was helpful to you during these uncertain times. No one can predict the future but it is important to protect yourself financially and seek reimbursement from these companies for any travel that will not be taking place. If we missed any companies or the policies have changed, please let us know in the comments below or post the update in the 3,500+ Member Basic Travel Facebook Group!

Stay safe!

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

Disclosure: Basic Travel Couple, LLC has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Basic Travel Couple, LLC and CardRatings and MileValue may receive a commission from card issuers. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The comments section below responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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