preloaddefault-post-thumbnail

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves around the world, we’ll continue to provide information to help you confidently make decisions regarding your travel plans.

If you already have travel booked or are starting to consider future travel plans, it’s important to stay up-to-date on travel restrictions and travel providers’ change and cancellation policies. We’re rolling out new filters and alerts on our site and providing a list of partners below that are currently offering flexible policies so you can make informed travel decisions for your family and yourself.

(Note: As the situation changes, so will policies. We will do our best to update this list as soon as possible, but suggest to always check with the provider directly for the most current information.)

 

General health and safety

If you’re considering upcoming travel

If you’re considering canceling a booked trip

Additional resources


General health and safety reminder

We urge travelers to take protective measures against COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus). Take care of your health and protect others by frequently washing your hands, staying home if you feel unwell and covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze. Learn more.

Find the most up-to-date information on how the virus could impact your travel plans from the CDC, the US State Department and the World Health Organization.

If you are planning a trip:

Airlines with flexible change policies

Air Canada

When you purchase a ticket between March 4 and March 31, 2020, Air Canada will allow you to make a one-time change to your flight without incurring a change fee up to 14 days before travel.

Alaska Airlines

For Saver Fares booked between February 27 and March 31, 2020 for travel through February 28, 2021, you can cancel your trip and deposit funds into your account.

For nonrefundable First Class or Main Fares booked between February 27 and March 31, 2020 for travel through February 28, 2021, you may make a one time change with no fee or cancel your trip and deposit funds into your account.

American Airlines

When you buy a new Non-Refundable Fare ticket by March 31, 2020, for travel through January 30, 2021, they’ll waive the change fee if your future travel plans change. You can make a one-time change before your original departure date.

British Airways

No change fee applies to new bookings on any route made from Tuesday, March 3 to Monday, March 31, 2020.

Delta Airlines

No change fees for all tickets purchased between March 1-31, 2020 for travel through February 25, 2021.

Hawaiian Airlines

Guests who book any flights between March 1-16, 2020 may change their travel to a future date without incurring change fees.

Hilton
New reservations:

  • Any reservation you make – even those described as “non-cancellable” (“Advanced Purchase”) – that are booked between today and April 30, 2020 for any future arrival date, can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.

Existing reservations: 

  • For guests traveling to, through or from China with stays from January 23–March 31, 2020.
  • For guests traveling to, through or from Italy with stays from February 24–April 30, 2020.
  • For guests traveling to, through or from South Korea with stays from February 24–March 31, 2020.
  • For guests traveling to, through or from Saudi Arabia with stays from February 27–March 31, 2020.
  • For guests traveling to, through or from Israel with stays from March 10–March 31, 2020.

jetBlue

No change or cancellation fees for all new flight bookings made between February 27, 2020, and March 31, 2020, for travel through September 8, 2020.

Lufthansa

Guests who book any flights before March 31, 2020 may rebook to a future travel date until December 31, 2020 without rebooking fees.

Southwest Airlines

Never charges for changes or cancellations to a flight. Funds can be applied to future travel, as long as they cancel at least 10 minutes prior to flight departure.

United

When you book a flight between March 3 and March 31, 2020, you can change it for free over the next 12 months.

WestJet

All new flight bookings made between March 5, 2020 and March 31, 2020 will be allowed a one-time change fee waiver for any itinerary change made more than 14 days from departure.

Hotels with flexible change policies

Hyatt

Waiving cancellation fees for travel through March 31, 2020, for guests residing in Greater China, South Korea, Japan and Italy with reservations at Hyatt hotels globally.

Waiving cancellation fees for travel through March 31, 2020, for guests with reservations at Hyatt hotels in Greater China, South Korea, Japan and Italy.

Any reservation you make between March 13, 2020 and April 30, 2020 – for any future arrival date – can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations.

Intercontinental Hotels

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

Marriott

Waiving cancellation fees for hotel stays through March 31, 2020, for guests traveling to or from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, French Polynesia and Italy.

For guests making new reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with pre-paid rates, between today and April 30, 2020, reservations may be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival date.

Radisson

    • Extending their cancellation policy for the following reservations booked with a check-in date until 30 April 2020:
      • Guests who have made room reservations in any of Radisson Hotel Group’s hotels in China, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Northern Italy and/or
      • Guests originating from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Northern Italy to any of Radisson Hotel Group’s hotel globally

Wyndham

Waiving change/cancellation for guests traveling to or from China, South Korea, or Italy with direct bookings for stays in any of their hotels through March 31.

If you have a trip booked and are considering your options for canceling your plans preemptively…

Airlines and travel providers are continually updating their policies and will be a go-to resource for up-to-date information regarding changing upcoming travel plans. Please contact them directly for the latest information. Many are waiving cancellations fees. You can find the most up-to-date information on travel and individual airline policies below.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is generally a good idea with international travel (be sure to also check coverage offered by your credit cards). However, if you’re purchasing it due to concerns related to COVID-19, be sure to read the policy carefully as rules may differ by company. It also may not widely cover cancellation or offer the travel flexibility you’re seeking. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to determine whether you are covered.

Travel advisories and policies by airline

Aeroméxico
Alitalia
Aer Lingus
Air Canada
Air France
Air New Zealand
Air Tahiti Nui
Air Transat
Alaska Airlines
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
ANA
Avianca
Austrian Airlines
British Airways
Brussels Airlines
Caribbean Airlines
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
Delta Air Lines
easyJet
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Fiji Airways
Finnair
Frontier Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Iberia
Icelandair
Interjet
Japan Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Kenya Airways
KLM
Korean Air
LATAM Airlines
Lufthansa
Malaysia Airlines
Norwegian
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Royal Jordanian
SAS
Singapore Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
SriLankan Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
Sunwing Airlines
SWISS Airlines
TAP Air Portugal
United Airlines
Vietnam Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Australia
WestJet
Wizz Air

If your airline isn’t listed above, find contact information here. If you booked with a provider other than an airline, please reach out to them directly for your options.

Resources:

CDC
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
US State Department
World Health Organization

About the author

Cheapflights MediaWhether you already know where and when you want to travel, or can be a bit flexible and are seeking some inspiration, Cheapflights is the perfect place to search for and plan the best trip. The Cheapflights Newsletter is also a great way to keep up with handpicked deals and vacation packages, delivered right to your inbox.

Explore more articles