The novel coronavirus pandemic has canceled millions of trips—vacations, business trips, and visits to family. What to do if you are in such a situation?
One option is to issue an involuntary refund of the air ticket. All Russian airlines do this without penalties. Of course, if the reason is the coronavirus (flight cancelled, border closed, etc.).
The second option is to exchange air tickets for a plane; due to coronavirus, you can change it either for other dates (for example, for summer or the velvet season), or for a different route.
How can I find out if it is possible to exchange an air ticket?
In order to find out whether it is possible to exchange an electronic ticket, you should definitely visit the website of the required airline. There you can familiarize yourself with the rules of air transportation. You can also find out about the possibility of exchange at the travel agency or ticket office where the ticket was purchased. In some cases, it is possible to reissue a ticket online or by phone. Moreover, sometimes no additional payment is required for such a service. But most often, when returning or exchanging tickets, airlines charge a fine from the passenger. Therefore, it is better to familiarize yourself with the exchange conditions before purchasing a ticket.
Step-by-step instructions for exchanging tickets
1. Make sure that your flight is subject to special conditions for return and exchange of tickets due to the coronavirus pandemic.
2. Find out the exchange and return rules
3. Decide what you need and what is more profitable , based on these rules: a ticket refund (you want to get money, Russian airlines allow this) or an exchange (you are sure that you are ready to fly - for example, in the fall or on New Year).
4. If you choose an exchange, decide in advance on new dates , as well as how much you are ready to move them (if suddenly there are no flights on the selected ones - not all are daily; or, if there are only tickets left at more expensive fares, it may be better to choose another day than to pay extra).
5. If you bought a ticket on the airline’s website, you can usually do the exchange yourself : go to your reservation or personal account. Call centers are overloaded right now, so this is the fastest option. If you purchased a ticket through another booking site, at a ticket agency, or at a travel agency, please contact them there for an exchange.
If you bought a ticket on the airline's website, you can exchange it there. Photo: Vladimir VELENGURIN
What types of air ticket exchanges can be made?
Today, there are two main types of air ticket exchanges. So, there is a free and paid exchange. In the first case, a flexible rate is used, which allows you to make changes to your reservation without additional charge. Thus, only the difference in tariff is paid. Paid exchange involves not only paying the difference between tariffs, but also paying an additional commission (fine).
The exchange of air tickets is also classified according to the possibility of changing not only the date and time of departure, but also other data. There are types such as Routing (with the ability to change the route), NameChange (with the ability to change the passenger's name) and ReroutingisnotPermitted (non-refundable ticket).
Correct mistakes
In addition to mixed up letters in the first and last name, you can make mistakes in your passport data, date of birth, and sometimes gender. For carriers, all of the listed errors are the same: to be sure that you will be allowed on the flight, they need to be corrected.
Terms of change
Airlines make changes to a ticket under different conditions: some do it for free, others charge a service fee. In each specific case, you need to go to the carrier’s official website in the ticket exchange section and read the rules. Often the possibility (or impossibility) of changes depends on the tariff. Typically, the cheaper your plan, the fewer benefits you have.
The airline may refuse such a service without giving reasons. If the company’s website does not have a special section with information, please contact the company via the feedback form.
As a rule, you can pay the service fee in three ways: online, at the airline ticket office (you can Google the addresses) or at the check-in counter at the airport, but no later than 40-60 minutes before departure. If you change your data by phone in a call center, you will have to pay a service fee through a transformer robot.
Airlines and regulations
The Russian low-cost carrier Pobeda allows you to make changes to your reservation no later than 4 hours before departure through the website or call center, and 40 minutes before departure through the ticket office. The service is paid. Details here.
To correct a ticket, you need to contact the company via the feedback form and pay a service fee. On the Aeroflot website you can change the gender on your ticket, the number and validity of your passport for free. This is done in the “manage booking” section. Date of birth and full name can only be changed through the call center.
Utair requires that in order to change your data, you personally come to the ticket office, taking your passport, itinerary receipt and cash. Details here.
Ural Airlines corrects errors through the passenger support service - you need to call it toll-free at 8-800-7700-262. The service costs 500 rubles. If you don’t want to hang on the line, contact the online chat on the official website. The operator will help you make changes to your ticket, and then you will be sent an email link where you can pay the service fee within 30 minutes. Details here.
But S7 is ready to correct typos for free through a call center operator. The main thing is to contact the airline ahead of time. You can see what else the company has to offer in the help center.
The Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air allows you to change data online no later than three hours before departure. If you correct one or two letters, this can be done free of charge in the booking application. When there are more than three corrections, you need to pay a service fee of 45 euros per flight. Those who have their first and last names mixed up should contact the Wizz Air information center - this service is free. Details here.
The Latvian low-cost airline airBaltic is ready to replace up to three letters in a first or last name for 50 euros. To make changes, you need to contact support by phone or through a company representative. You can completely change your name for free only in the “Business” tariff. For Premium the service costs 70 euros, for the Basic tariff it is not allowed at all. Details here.
Errors in passport data, date of birth or gender can be corrected using the same rules that apply to corrections in a first or last name.
When can I change my air ticket?
The possibility of replacing a ticket depends on the fare rules. But Aeroflot and other airlines have a strict condition - making any changes to the ticket is possible only before departure. However, some airlines allow the possibility of returning or exchanging a ticket even after the plane has taken off. Such a ticket can only be returned with a significant fine. In this case, the ticket is marked with the inscription No-Show (failure to show up for the flight). It should be noted that air carriers interpret the concept of no-show differently. Some airlines make such a note in case of no-show at check-in. However, most companies issue a No-Show in case of no-show for boarding.
Conditions for exchanging tickets with Russian airlines
This all applies to:
- exchanging tickets for flights that did not take place precisely due to the coronavirus (they were cancelled, countries closed entry, banned entry for foreigners, and so on);
- those passengers who have not yet used their tickets. For those who have already flown abroad, but due to the cancellation of the return flight do not know how to return home, there are other options: these are mainly so-called export flights, they are now operated from many countries, even despite the official closure of air traffic, as well as the few remaining scheduled flights between Russia and other countries.
A forced exchange of air tickets can usually be done free of charge.
Photo: Andrey ABRAMOV Aeroflot
The national carrier is ready to exchange a ticket with a departure before May 31 for any other date until December 31 without penalty. Or on any other route - from those that are on Aeroflot’s schedule.
You can change your ticket only once for free. And you may have to pay the difference in tariffs. For example, you bought a cheap ticket to Rome on a promotion, you change it to Phuket, where the flight takes longer and is more expensive - this is where you will need to pay extra.
S7
S7 Airlines has special exchange conditions for all tickets purchased before March 4, 2020 at the Economy Basic and Business Basic fares. They also apply to flights that are not affected by the pandemic. Passengers have the right to exchange a ticket for any other flight that is currently on sale for a fee of 1,000 rubles. And, perhaps, with an additional payment to the new tariff (according to the same principle as Aeroflot). There is a nuance: a ticket abroad can be exchanged for a domestic flight, but vice versa - not.
Utair
Ticket exchanges are allowed for any dates after flights resume until the end of 2021. But on the same route.
Pobeda and Ural Airlines
We are ready to fully refund money for tickets for canceled flights, but they do not promise any special exchange conditions.
How to reissue an air ticket?
You can change and reissue an air ticket only through the agent who sold it. This could be the airline operating the flight or a travel agency. Air carrier representatives can be contacted by email or telephone. At the same time, airline representatives will definitely notify the passenger about the rules that provide for penalties for returning an air ticket. But at the same time, some categories of tickets allow you to change not only the departure date, but also the name of the passenger.
What to do if you need to send another person in your place?
As stated above, it will not be possible to re-issue a purchased ticket to another person, but this is legal. In fact, there are loopholes that you can take advantage of while losing a small amount.
The only possible way to send another person on the same route in your place is to buy a new ticket and return the old one; unfortunately, Russian Railways does not yet provide other methods.
Important! If you need to return your ticket, be prepared to lose some money, and the amount will depend on how late you decide to do it.
After you have returned your ticket, you can register another person for this vacated seat; the main thing is to have time to purchase this ticket before it is outbid. Then this improvised method of reissuing a train ticket will be impossible. And the trip will most likely be cancelled, since tickets are sold out very quickly and there may simply not be any empty seats.
Of course, this process is very inconvenient for passengers, but Russian Railways does not yet provide a re-registration option. It would be much easier for both the carrier and passengers if a small commission were introduced for re-issuing a ticket from one person to another. Then it would be possible to avoid all these manipulations with returning the ticket and buying a new one, and also significantly save money on commissions.
Try to be a savvy passenger so as not to find yourself in unclear situations, and also study your rights in order to avoid unpleasant “surprises” before and during your trip by rail.
How to restore an air ticket?
Restoring an air ticket is a rather labor-intensive and complex process. This fact is due to the fact that there is a set of rules that are used by all global air carriers. This set of rules states that an air ticket is valid only if it is presented. If the ticket is not lost, but stolen, the passenger must provide a special one. certificate It will notify the air carrier that an investigation into the theft of property is underway. Such a certificate can be obtained from the police department that is responsible for solving the theft. If a passenger is prone to absent-mindedness, he should think about issuing an electronic ticket. It is impossible to lose such an air ticket.
Conditions facilitating the re-issuance of a train ticket
To reissue a ticket, be sure to first contact the ticket office. Here they will be able to tell you all the information you are interested in and tell you how to act in a given situation. But it’s still better to prepare and find out what passengers can do and what they shouldn’t do, and what they have the right to. This is necessary in order to avoid getting into unexpected unpleasant situations.
- For those traveling on a long-distance train, they have every right to travel on the train that leaves earlier, subject to availability of seats. But re-issuance must be done at least 24 hours in advance at the same station where the purchased ticket was supposed to board.
- To issue a new ticket for a carriage of a different category, you must contact the ticket office one day before departure and pay the difference.
- If the train is replaced with one that follows a shorter route, the passenger must be refunded the difference in the cost of the ticket.
- Do not forget to always take your passport with you if you plan to make any replacements or re-issuances regarding travel passes and tickets.
- You cannot reissue your pre-purchased ticket to another person, even if he is your close relative.
Under what conditions can you exchange an air ticket?
One of the important conditions for exchanging air tickets is the reason for initiating this process. An involuntary refusal can be issued in the event of a flight delay or cancellation, as well as a change in route. The reason for filing such an application may be various mistakes made by airline representatives. A passenger who submits such an application receives a full refund of the money spent if there is factual evidence confirming the absence of his guilt. A voluntary exchange is made in cases where the passenger has personal reasons for changing the date.
When applying to exchange a travel document, you should take into account the features of the selected tariff plan.
The flagship of domestic aviation adheres to the following rule: the more expensive the tickets, the easier it is to exchange them . The cheapest tickets imply a ban on their return or change of departure date. To avoid difficulties with processing returns and exchanges, you need to study the following rules:
- The exchange is made in the same way as when purchasing the air ticket. When purchasing a travel document through the carrier's cash desk, you must contact the same company office.
- Tickets purchased at a discount are quite difficult to return. Travelers will need to pay a high fee for this service.
- Most tickets can only be exchanged if an additional payment is made. The amount of the surcharge is directly related to the selected tariff plan.
What difficulties might you encounter?
Changing the departure date of an Aeroflot e-ticket is quite simple. However, this process is characterized by bureaucratic and technical difficulties. Inexperienced computer users may make various mistakes when filling out the form on the carrier’s website. Before starting this process, it is recommended to obtain advice from a company representative using the hotline.
If submitting an application through the carrier's cash desk, you must have an original copy of your ID with you. An external passport is used to issue tickets for foreign flights. This is the document you will need to make adjustments to your travel departure date.
Aeroflot has a rule: the higher the initial price of a travel document, the cheaper it will cost you to replace it for another date, and vice versa
Tariffs and their features
The right to reissue or return an Aeroflot plane ticket, like most other airlines, is directly related to the fare and category of the previously purchased travel document. In three classes of tickets - Business, Comfort and Economy - there are four tariffs - "Premium", "Optimum", "Budget", "Promo".
Business Class
All Business Class tickets are charged according to the terms of the Premium and Optimum packages, and their return and exchange are allowed in both cases. If, if necessary, a passenger can reissue award tickets free of charge , then for changing or returning a ticket purchased at the “Optimum” fare, certain costs will have to be paid.
Comfort class
Premium and Optimum fares also apply to Comfort Class tickets. If expensive tickets at the “Premium” fare, just like in Business class, can be returned or exchanged without additional payment, then re-issuance of a document purchased at the “Optimum” fare is allowed for money and only until the end of the passenger check-in time for the flight.
Economy class
An Economy Class ticket from Aeroflot can be purchased at Premium, Optimum, Budget and Promo rates.
In this segment, only “Premium” tickets can be returned or reissued without deduction of additional payments. Optimum tickets can be exchanged or returned before the end of registration with a fee charged.
The most affordable air tickets purchased at the "Budget" and "Promo" fares are non-refundable (with the exception of travel documents in the direction of South Korea).
At the same time, such tickets can be exchanged for alternative ones with a fixed surcharge.
About the possibility of re-registration
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that today not all airlines are ready to provide the service of reissuing a ticket for another person. This is largely due to the fact that citizens who have bought a ticket for themselves are essentially signing an agreement to organize transportation.
The official document confirming this transaction is considered to be a ticket. In addition, it contains the full initials of the passenger on a particular flight.
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Based on this fact, we can talk about a rather difficult process of re-issuing a purchased ticket. For this reason, the most common option to solve the problem that has arisen is considered to be a full refund, and after that a purchase, only for another person.
Important! The best solution would be to personally contact the company from which you previously purchased the ticket. Each airport has a representative office.
If you wish, you can contact the ticket office directly. However, in any case, you must have a document identifying the person with you.
The procedure for rebooking or canceling a reservation is quite quick and rarely takes more than 5 minutes. However, the return of funds, in case of surrender, entails the need to wait a long time for the return of money. On average, this will take up to 3 weeks.
After completing the cancellation procedure, the person for whom it was planned to re-register can simply buy it.
At the same time, do not forget that low-cost airlines have slightly different rules and procedures.
In this case, the best solution would be to study an example.
Let’s say that it provides services for reissuing tickets for other people, but the cost is 5 thousand rubles. If necessary, reschedule boarding to another date – 3 thousand rubles.
