KHALEEJ TIMES, Sunday, Dec 05, 2021 | Rabi Al-Aakhir 30, 1443
Emirates issues guidelines for ticket cancellation, route suspensions
Emirates:
Just as many countries worldwide were beginning to loosen their border
restrictions and opening up air travel, reports of the Omicron Cvoid-19 variant
in South Africa sent many of those doors slamming shut again.
Different countries and territories have taken different approaches toward
preventing the spread of this new variant. This has also left travellers during
the holiday season in a quandary.
Dubai's Emirates airline has issued guidelines to follow in case a flight gets
cancelled or impacted by route suspensions due to Covid‑19 restrictions.
The most up-to-date information is below:
If your travel plans have been affected by Covid‑19, you can change your booking
through 'Manage A Booking' or you can contact your travel agent. You can also
request a refund.
Are there any change fees?
There are no change fees when you rebook within the validity of the ticket so
you have more flexibility to plan ahead. However, there may be a difference in
the fare or tax if you choose to change the date or the destination.
Keep your ticket for the future
— For tickets issued on or after October 12, 2021 with a travel date on or
before May 31, 2022
You can keep the ticket and use it later. Emirates have extended the ticket
validity for 24 months from the date of original booking. The ticket will be
accepted for any flight to the same destination in the same booking class within
the same cabin with no extra fees during this period.
— For tickets issued between April 1, 2021 and October 11, 2021 with a travel
date on or before May 31, 2022
Emirates extended its validity for 24 months from the date of your original
booking. Your ticket will be accepted for any flight to the same destination or
within the same region* (check below) in the same travel class within the same
cabin with no extra fees during this period.
— For tickets issued between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 with a travel
date on or before May 31, 2022
Emirates extended its validity for 36 months from the date of your original
booking. Your ticket will be accepted for any flight to the same destination or
within the same region* in the same travel class with no extra fees during this
period.
— For tickets issued on or before September 30, 2020, with a travel date on or
before May 31, 2022
You can keep the ticket you’ve already booked and use it later. We’ve extended
its validity for 36 months from the date of your original booking. Your ticket
will be accepted for any flight to the same destination or within the same
region* in the same travel class, with no extra fees during this period.
How to change booking
If you have booked your flights directly from Emirates, the validity of your
ticket will be extended automatically. Just call the airline with your dates
when you’re ready to fly.
Contact the travel agent if the ticket has been booked through them before
ticket expires to extend validity from 24 months to 36 months.
Can I change my destination?
Yes in some cases you can change your destination to another one within the same
region*. However, it depends when you booked your ticket.
If you booked your ticket on or after October 12, 2021, with a travel date on or
before May 31, 2022
You can change it for the same destination, within the same fare season and in
the same travel class for no extra charge. Please ensure to cancel your
reservation if you are unable to travel to avoid charges.
If you booked your ticket between April 1, 2021 and October 11, 2021, with a
travel date on or before May 31, 2022
You can change your ticket for another destination in the same region* and in
the same travel class for no extra charge. If the itinerary on your original
booking did not include Dubai, then you are only able to change your flight for
a similar itinerary that does not include Dubai.
For tickets issued on or before September 30, 2020, with a travel date on or
before May 31, 2022
Your ticket will be accepted for any flight to the same destination or within
the same region* in any travel class. If the itinerary on your original booking
did not include Dubai, then you are only able to change your flight for a
similar itinerary that does not include Dubai.
*The Emirates regions are:
Africa
Australasia
Europe
the Far East
China
the Gulf, Middle East and Iran
Indian Ocean Islands
North America
South America
West Asia
Refund in case of no cancellation
Yes, even if your flight hasn’t been cancelled you can still request a refund.
There’s no cancellation fee and Emirates will refund the flight fare. However,
the service fees and taxes will not be refunded.