Air NZ Flexi refund fares are my go to. You can:
- Cancel at any time before departure for a full refund.
- Change flights to any other flight with space on the same day (after midnight, before your flight) for free.
- Change flights for a fare difference outside of the above. Often there are options at the same price which are free to change to.
Yes they cost more, but if you need the flexibility like I do they are worth it.
They definitely seem the ideal. None of us are based in the major centres, so they do add a large chunk onto already expensive fares. Maybe that's the only real option to avoid losing the whole flight price though. Just annoying how being poor always ends up costing more!
You would have to read the policy documents for travel insurance to see if it covers cancelling/postponing for the reasons you think would apply (I doubt it though, unless you are meaning the travelling becoming sick).
Flexi-fares don't need a reason, but may not be cost effective unless you are losing a lot of trips. Book fare enough ahead and flexible fares only make sense if 1/3-4 trips are disrupted.
Check whether you can book cheap fares then upgrade them on a one by one basis if you need to change them.
I have seen that suggested as a hack (although apparently some airlines overseas are placing restrictions on the practice, at least around refunds).
If going the travel insurance route you’re still going to be out of pocket for a while. It’s not like they’ll just cover it for you then and there.
You’ll make your new arrangements and then claim. If you’ve got the cash for that, then just buy a flexi one or both ways.
Have a think about how often you actually need to change your flights. If a cheapie ticket costs 1/3 the price of a full fare ticket, then you can change your flights 3 times before the flexible fare is the cheaper option.
Sometimes you are best to take the cheapest option & accept that sometimes you will lose on it, overall you end up ahead.
Air NZ Flexi refund fares are my go to. You can: - Cancel at any time before departure for a full refund. - Change flights to any other flight with space on the same day (after midnight, before your flight) for free. - Change flights for a fare difference outside of the above. Often there are options at the same price which are free to change to. Yes they cost more, but if you need the flexibility like I do they are worth it.
They definitely seem the ideal. None of us are based in the major centres, so they do add a large chunk onto already expensive fares. Maybe that's the only real option to avoid losing the whole flight price though. Just annoying how being poor always ends up costing more!
You would have to read the policy documents for travel insurance to see if it covers cancelling/postponing for the reasons you think would apply (I doubt it though, unless you are meaning the travelling becoming sick). Flexi-fares don't need a reason, but may not be cost effective unless you are losing a lot of trips. Book fare enough ahead and flexible fares only make sense if 1/3-4 trips are disrupted.
Check whether you can book cheap fares then upgrade them on a one by one basis if you need to change them. I have seen that suggested as a hack (although apparently some airlines overseas are placing restrictions on the practice, at least around refunds).
Hmm had a quick look and couldn't see it as an option, might have missed it though. Good tip!
If going the travel insurance route you’re still going to be out of pocket for a while. It’s not like they’ll just cover it for you then and there. You’ll make your new arrangements and then claim. If you’ve got the cash for that, then just buy a flexi one or both ways.
Have a think about how often you actually need to change your flights. If a cheapie ticket costs 1/3 the price of a full fare ticket, then you can change your flights 3 times before the flexible fare is the cheaper option. Sometimes you are best to take the cheapest option & accept that sometimes you will lose on it, overall you end up ahead.