Covid flexibility policy.
Jan 31, 2022, 6:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: BMI Diamond club
Posts: 33
Covid flexibility policy.
I have a flight booked to BKK, The Covid arrival policy in Thailand makes it very unappealing to take this holiday. I booked it thinking Finnair had a change/cancellation policy in line with other airlines but apparently not. I am unable to cancel the fare and a date change results in a large fare increase, I don't see what the difference is too before Covid and how they can advertise a book with confidence policy.
My question is can I get around this by changing the date and asking to be upped to a business flex fare (paying the large difference) then use the rules of this fare to cancel for free?
My question is can I get around this by changing the date and asking to be upped to a business flex fare (paying the large difference) then use the rules of this fare to cancel for free?
Jan 31, 2022, 10:09 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,798
The first thing these days is to check the covid change policy before booking on an unfamiliar airline. AY doesnt have one, really, which is why I dont book revenue tickets with them for now. What they market as one is a joke.
Award tickets come with full flexibility so thats my route unless Im flying within Europe and booking close to departure.
You cannot upgrade your ticket to full flex and then receive a full refund. Sorry.
Award tickets come with full flexibility so thats my route unless Im flying within Europe and booking close to departure.
You cannot upgrade your ticket to full flex and then receive a full refund. Sorry.
Jan 31, 2022, 10:36 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: BMI Diamond club
Posts: 33
Thanks
Looks like I will just move it to later in the year, the fare difference is not to bad if Im careful with dates. The agent on the phone said the fare difference was as my booking class was sold out, thats what gave me the idea to move up a couple more classes.
Finnair Covid policy does seem worthless, anyone who gets Covid close to departure or refused entry at destination will have no option but to lose out.
Looks like I will just move it to later in the year, the fare difference is not to bad if Im careful with dates. The agent on the phone said the fare difference was as my booking class was sold out, thats what gave me the idea to move up a couple more classes.
Finnair Covid policy does seem worthless, anyone who gets Covid close to departure or refused entry at destination will have no option but to lose out.
Jan 31, 2022, 11:05 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,538
AY is selling Flex tickets which allow for refunds.
I agree the policy isnt great but one is free to book an airline with a more flexible policy.
Checking the fare rules when booking is essential to avoid disappointments like this.
I agree the policy isnt great but one is free to book an airline with a more flexible policy.
Checking the fare rules when booking is essential to avoid disappointments like this.
Jan 31, 2022, 11:31 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,798
You could also try to find flights that are most likely to be cancelled. Right now, they operate HEL-BKK in the afternoon wave. If you find midnight departures, those are probably more likely to be cancelled in case they decrease the number of flights.
Jan 31, 2022, 5:20 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: BMI Diamond club
Posts: 33
Have left it late already, they changed it by 10 minutes so not enough for a refund.
I will change it to the summer for dates I can use, its another 350pp but still a decent business fare. Hopefully we wont have to jump through hoops to enter Thailand by then.
Although if they change the new flights I will probably cancel and book something with a more accommodating airline.
I will change it to the summer for dates I can use, its another 350pp but still a decent business fare. Hopefully we wont have to jump through hoops to enter Thailand by then.
Although if they change the new flights I will probably cancel and book something with a more accommodating airline.
Feb 1, 2022, 5:16 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: BMI Diamond club
Posts: 33
This has actually worked out OK, I was allowed to change the dates for free even though the new dates are 400pp more than I originally paid. So I now have flights for the summer for a great price, just need Thailand to relax the rules so I actually want to take them.
Feb 1, 2022, 5:43 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
The first thing these days is to check the covid change policy before booking on an unfamiliar airline. AY doesn’t have one, really, which is why I don’t book revenue tickets with them for now. What they market as one is a joke.
Award tickets come with full flexibility so that’s my route unless I’m flying within Europe and booking close to departure.
You cannot upgrade your ticket to full flex and then receive a full refund. Sorry.
Award tickets come with full flexibility so that’s my route unless I’m flying within Europe and booking close to departure.
You cannot upgrade your ticket to full flex and then receive a full refund. Sorry.