Indian Airlines offering free reschedules on domestic flights due to Omicron induced travel plan changes

by Ajay 4 Comments

As I wrote about it a couple of days ago, Indian carriers have started to see massive demand destruction because of the new Covid19 variant at bay, Omicron. Over two weeks between the end of December 2021 and now, airlines have seen up to a 38% drop in the number of domestic passengers. Some of this is on the back of new rules being created by states such as West Bengal, but mostly because passengers find themselves positive on the day of travel, and perhaps, sometimes don’t want to travel to be on the side of caution.

Many airlines are now offering a free change policy owing to Omicron, and I thought I’d put it all together in one place for everyone’s benefit. This update is as of January 11, 2022.

IndiGo

On IndiGo, you will be able to get unlimited free reschedules on all new and existing bookings made till January 31 for travel till March 31, 2022. However, a fare difference will be applicable if the fare of your flight has moved up in the meantime. The free change is applicable only for changes made three days before the date of departure. A penalty will be applied for changes made within three days of the date of departure as per the booking product class. IndiGo’s policy is applicable for Domestic as well as international flights.

SpiceJet

On SpiceJet, you will be able to get a one-time free reschedule on all new bookings made between January 8-31 for travel till March 31, 2022. However, a fare difference will be applicable if the fare of your flight has moved up in the meantime. The free change is applicable only for changes made 48 hours before departure and only on direct domestic flights. SpiceJet’s policy is applicable for Domestic direct flights. SpiceJet has also offered other free-rescheduling offers that ended on January 5, 2022, and those flights will also count.

Go First

On Go First, you will be able to get a one-time free reschedule on all new bookings made between January 8-31 for travel till March 31, 2022. However, a fare difference will be applicable if the fare of your flight has moved up in the meantime. The free change is applicable only for changes made three days before departure. Go First’s policy is applicable for Domestic flights. Go First has also offered other free-rescheduling offers that ended on January 5, 2022, and those flights will also count.

AirAsia India

On AirAsia India, you will be able to get unlimited free reschedule on all existing and new bookings made between January 7-31 for travel till March 31, 2022. However, a fare difference will be applicable if the fare of your flight has moved up in the meantime. The free change is applicable only for changes made 72 hours before departure. AirAsia India’s policy is applicable for Domestic flights.

Air India

On Air India, you will be able to get one free change of date or flight number or sector for all domestic tickets (098) with confirmed travel on/before March 31, 2022. As per Air India,

  • Applicable to all 098 documents on Air India operated flights issued with PURE Domestic itinerary. Not applicable on Alliance Air flights.
  • Applicable to all tickets issued with current Travel Date on/before 31st March 2022, and passengers can rebook for new dates as per the validity of their existing tickets.
  • A free change option is offered irrespective of the date of purchase of the ticket.
  • Passengers availing the free change option must necessarily follow respective timelines for change as per fare rules. Failure may result in a no-show.
  • If passengers decide to change sector ONLY re-issuance charges will be waived once, other charges will apply.
  • Applicable for all classes and all types of concessionary tickets and FFP redemption tickets.
  • In case of change, the option exercised, and the passenger cannot get the same booking class for the new date, an applicable difference of fare will be charged.
  • In case the same booking class is available, but the fare is higher, the passenger will be given the benefit of not paying the additional charges.
  • In case, same booking class is available, but tax differential is applicable, the other difference will be collected from the passenger.
  • Passengers who have already availed of a Free change under any earlier waiver can use this option to additionally avail a change.
  • After availing of this one-time free change, any subsequent change will be governed by respective fare rules.

Star Air

On Star Air, you will be able to get one free reschedule on Star Flexi-fare bookings made by January 11, 2022, for travel between January 10 and April 15, 2022. However, a fare difference will be applicable if the fare of your flight has moved up in the meantime. The free change is applicable only for changes made 72 hours before departure. AirAsia India’s policy is applicable for Domestic flights.

Vistara

Vistara is not talking much about it, but as per trade partners, you will be able to get one free date change on bookings made on Vistara for all tickets issued for travel till March 31, 2022. However, a fare difference will be applicable if the fare of your flight has moved up in the meantime.

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About Ajay

Ajay Awtaney is the Founder and Editor of Live From A Lounge (LFAL), a pioneering digital platform renowned for publishing news and views about aviation, hotels, passenger experience, loyalty programs, travel trends and frequent travel tips for the Global Indian. He is considered the Indian authority on business travel, luxury travel, frequent flyer miles, loyalty credit cards and travel for Indians around the globe. Ajay is a frequent contributor and commentator on the media as well, including ET Now, BBC, CNBC TV18, NDTV, Conde Nast Traveller and many other outlets.

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Comments

  1. For indigo, do they mean that flight can be changed only 3 days prior to departure (i.e. only on 27th if departure is on 30th), and not anytime earlier than 3 days before departure?

    Reply

  2. Contacted AirIndia customer care regarding date change and they rejected the free date change ( was charging 2500) for flight on 21st Jan 2022 ( ticket bought on 21st Dec )
    Is there a way we can get the free date change as the TnC mentions date change should be free while they were asking for Rescheduling Fee + Fare difference
    Is there a way we can do it on our own or get it done at all ?

    Reply

  3. Couple of days ago Vistara extended my dad’s ticket to 30 Jun 2022 with only a fare difference applicable while rebooking. We had called them within 24 hours of departure with the change in his travel plan. My dad is CV PLT so dunno if that was a consideration too.

    Reply

  4. I have a vistara ticket which I tried rescheduling yesterday, but it’s asking for a change fee. I tried calling them but the number is “busy”.

    Sadly when I made plans tickets were 1700 odd rupees and now because of weekend lockdown in Tamil Nadu everything has moved one day prior and tickets now cost 5500 rupees.

    Reply

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