How do you cancel airline tickets issued by a travel agency?
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, many passengers are understandably looking to cancel or postpone their upcoming flights. Airlines have relaxed waivers for changes and some are even issuing promotional travel credit if you decide to cancel your trip entirely. Plus, many airlines are making sweeping changes to their schedule, which means that your flight may end up beiing canceled anyway.
As such, many passengers are faced with the question of how to actually modify their plans. This can get confusing if you've booked through an online travel agency.
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How to change or cancel tickets issued by a travel agent?
Travel agents act as a third party in completing transactions. They aren't actually providing any transportation, but rather just a comparison site to shop across airlines. If you end up booking through the travel agent, you'll end up with what's referred to as an "external" or "third-party" ticket. Not only will it be governed by an airline's terms, but it'll also be subject to the conditions of the agency.
Each airline handles external tickets differently. If you end up needing to make a change or cancellation, it pays to do so directly with your travel agent. That should definitely be your first point of contact. All existing airline-issued waivers and exceptions will be still be applied to your ticket.
If you don't get the result you're looking for, you can try contacting your airline directly. Note that the carriers will recognize your travel agency issued ticket as "external" and may refer you back to your travel agency. If you end up making voluntary changes directly with many airlines, including the big 3 — American, Delta and United — you'll be charged a $50 external reservation fee, in addition to any other additional collections or fees due.
For that reason alone, I try to make all my reservations directly with the airlines. But sometimes, you don't have a choice, so read on for the general cancellation policies of the three largest online travel agencies.
Expedia
Expedia lets you cancel flights according to the airline's terms and conditions on your ticket. You're eligible for a free cancellation if you booked your flight in the last 24 hours. Otherwise, you're governed by the ticket terms.
Unless your flight was canceled by the airline, you'll end up with a travel credit to use on future trips with your carrier. If the flight was canceled or changed significantly, you're entitled to a refund.
You can reach Expedia at 1-877-227-7481 (or by online chat bot). Note that all tickets on low-cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit must be changed or canceled directly with the airline.
Orbitz
Orbitz's policy is quite similar to Expedia's. You're governed by whatever terms and conditions are included in your airline ticket. Typically, non-refundable airfare can be canceled or changed for a $200 change fee, but Orbitz also levies a $30 change fee on top of that.
You can reach Orbitz at 1-844-803-5576.
Priceline
Like Expedia and Orbitz, Priceline allows ticket changes and cancellations in line with your airline policies. Note that Priceline charges a $30 exchange fee for changes made voluntarily, in addition to any fees levied by the airline.
You can reach Priceline at 1-877-477-5807.
Amex and Chase Travel
If you've booked a ticket through the Amex or Chase Travel portal, we have a full guide to how to handle modifications with those travel providers.
How the coronavirus impacts these policies?
As you can see, online travel agencies basically mimic the policies of the airlines. So, now that the airlines have announced flexible travel waivers, they apply to all tickets — regardless of where you've purchased your ticket.
So, if you have a ticket issued from a travel agent, you're covered by the relevant coronavirus waivers. Similarly, if your flight is canceled, you're technically eligible for a full refund.
The only real complication is who's going to help you. First, you should try making your changes online — either on the travel agency website or directly with the airline. If that's unsuccessful, then I'd recommend calling the travel agency first, and only then calling the airline.
Bottom line
In general, I always try booking my flights directly with the airlines in order to avoid adding a middleman — the online travel agency. Sometimes, that's not possible.
When you book with an online travel agency, you're agreeing to both the airline's and travel agency's terms. In some cases, that means paying extra for changes or having a harder time getting in touch with a representative.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.