ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AIR TICKETS- EPISODE 4

 

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AIR TICKETS- EPISODE 4

 

In as much we wish to travel as per our travel plans, it is not always in our power to determine whether we will actually travel or not and these are due to unforeseen circumstances. Even with foreseen circumstances, we are only able to do little or nothing about it.

 

From not showing up at the airport, changing your travel dates, providing inaccurate information to actually cancelling your flight, the airline penalizes the traveler. The question the travelers always ask is “why will I be charged a penalty, when I already have a ticket?” Well, the information below should answer your question.

NO SHOW

A “no-show” is when a passenger does not show up to check-in and travel as per the flight schedule. One key thing to note is the perishable nature of an airlines operation. When a traveler does not show up on the said travel date, the flight takes off with that seat empty. The seat is lost forever.

The airline charges a penalty as certain costs are incurred even if the traveler does not travel. Sometimes informing the airline or your travel agent prior to departure flight saves you from paying any associated penalties on no show.

CHANGING DATE

Changing your date simply means rescheduling your date to travel at a later or earlier date other than your original travel date. The twist with changing your date is that, you are requesting for another seat that could be sold at the original price. It is only fair that they charge a penalty for confirming a new seat on the date you are requesting otherwise they will lose out on the original seat you purchased earlier.

PROVIDING INACCURATE INFORMATION

On the day of departure, at least one passenger on a flight may have provided an information that is inaccurate. This normally happens when a ticket is purchased on behalf of someone. It could be incorrect spelling of name, incorrect passenger type (child, infant, etc.), or an information that can lead to the passenger being denied boarding. Such errors can be time wasting, and the extra cost for the airlines as they will be charged by the GDS providers. It only makes sense for them to transfer such costs to the traveler as it is no fault of the airline.

 CANCELLATION

Cancelling a ticket means two things – either you will no longer travel or you will travel at a later date. Whatever be the reason, the seat becomes vacant and it is highly possibly to fly empty. This is a huge loss for the airlines. To compensate for the loss, the airlines will charge a penalty to at least break even on that vacant seat. Sometimes you may end up losing all the money as the ticket may not be refundable.  However, if you should do this in advance as per the airlines’ policy, the penalties will not be that great.

So when next you think of any voluntary changes, no show, cancellation or inaccurate information, know that the airlines suffers and its only appropriate to transfer such costs to the traveler as it is no fault of the airline.