Few things have felt certain in 2020, and one of the least of all is travel. And with travel restrictions always changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finding flexible flights has become essential. It’s also more important than ever to make sure that your hotel bookings and car rentals allow for last-minute changes and even cancellations when possible.
The good news: with flexible flight tickets, travellers who are interested in booking future travel can do so with confidence. We’ll go into detail below about how you can easily book a ticket that allows fee-free changes or refunds a few clicks.
What is a flexible flight ticket?
Generally speaking, a flexible flight ticket is one that allows for changes or cancellations without a fee, with a smaller-than-usual fee, or another condition that makes it easier for the traveller to change their plans. Many airlines agreed to eliminate change fees altogether in response to the uncertainty the pandemic has created.
While Skyscanner will always do its best to show you the most up-to-date prices and policies, it’s important to check the terms and conditions of your specific ticket at the time of booking to ensure you’re fully briefed on the details of its change policy.
Which airlines are offering flexible flight tickets?
There are several airlines offering flexible flights. Here are five airlines that have expanded their change fees and cancellation policies.
It’s important to not that with travel returning in 2022, and the road ahead looking much easier, most airlines will scale back their policies. You may still be able to book a flexible ticket for an extra cost, but if you’d like to take advantage of free flexibility, we recommend you book soon.
| Airline | Flexible Policy |
| Air Canada | Tickets booked with Air Canada are allowed a one-time change for free. Book by: December 31, 2020. |
| Air Transat | Air Transat is waiving all change fees on flights. The changes are a one-time policy. Book by: December 31, 2020. |
| WestJet | According to WestJet’s website, travellers who book a flight before December 31, 2020 will be able to change or cancel (one-time policy) without a fee. Changes must be made 24 hours before departure. |
| Delta Air Lines | Delta Air Lines allows its customers to change, and, if necessary, refund all trips booked through the end of 2020. Additionally, Delta has extended the validity of all tickets until the end of 2022. |
| United Airlines | On their website, United states that the carrier will permanently eliminate change fees, presumably even after the pandemic is over. Note that you will need to pay any fare difference. |
How to find hotels with free cancellation on Skyscanner
If you’re booking flexible flights, you’re also going to want to have the option to change or cancel your accommodation booking as well. That way, you can book flexible travel for your whole trip now, and decide if it’s still OK to go later.
Using Skyscanner to find flexible hotel stays is slightly different than doing so for flexible flights. Specifically, once you have completed your hotel search, navigate down the sidebar (or, in the app, tap “Sort & Filters” at the bottom of the results) and tick or toggle the “Free cancellation” option.
Booking cars with free cancellation on Skyscanner
Similar to flights and hotels, Skyscanner also makes it easy to find flexible car rentals that you can cancel for free or for a small fee, up to 48 hours in advance.
On the website, complete your search as usual and then tick the “Free cancellation” box in the left-hand sidebar, underneath the “Cancellation policy” heading.
In the app, simply tap the “Filter” button before completing your search, and tick the “Free Cancellation” box to make sure your results are flexible from the get-go.
FAQs about flexible travel
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most Canadian airlines (including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat) offer partially or fully flexible travel booking options, either for free or for an extra fee.
In simple terms, a flexible airline ticket is one that allows you to make changes without incurring a fee. Note that you will still need to pay for any fare differences; tickets that are free to change may not be free to refund outright.
You need to set a date when you book most flights. However, if you buy a flexible ticket, you can move the flight date and time until the ticket’s validity period (which is usually, but not always, one year from the date of purchase) ends.
Want to read more?
Whether or not you feel comfortable travelling right now, it’s a great time to get — and stay — inspired. Here are some inspiring Skyscanner articles to keep your wanderlust alive:
- Get the latest coronavirus travel advice and information for Canadians
- Let’s shift our focus: here are the travel trends for 2021 and beyond
- Take a staycation! Here are the best places to visit in Canada this winter.
