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Be sure before cancelling
RAA Travel General Manager Gina Norman said concern among those with planned holidays was entirely understandable, but reminded travellers that cancelling flights pre-emptively was likely to incur fees.
“If the airline hasn’t changed or cancelled your flight because it’s still days or weeks away, those cancellation fees still stand,” Ms Norman said.
“Unless you’re willing to bear those costs, it’s worth waiting to see what your airline announces in the days leading up to your departure before making any decisions.
“Speaking with your travel agent is always a good first step, so you know your options and the costs associated with them.”
Pay in full to avoid price hikes
With the Iran war affecting oil prices globally, airlines are likely to pass rising fuel costs on to passengers through higher fares in the coming months.
Ms Norman said anyone with an upcoming trip should pay in full now before any potential price jumps take effect.
“When global fuel prices increase significantly, airlines can introduce fuel surcharges on new bookings to offset rising operating costs,” Ms Norman said.
“Even flights that have been booked with a deposit, but not yet paid in full, could be subject to price increases.
“If you’ve already got a trip booked or are considering a booking, the best thing you can do right now is pay it in full.
“That locks in the price you agreed to and protects you from any price hikes down the track.”
Europe still on the table via alternative routes
Travellers with Europe in mind don’t necessarily need to shelve their plans. Airlines will be routing flights via alternative hubs, meaning future itineraries can still be built around European destinations.
But for travellers seeking added certainty, RAA Travel is also anticipating strong interest in destinations closer to home.
“European holidays are worth billions to airlines and global economy. The airlines will do everything they can to find a safe path there from Australia through hubs like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, USA and even Africa.
“For those looking closer to home, New Zealand, Fiji, Asia and other parts of Australia are already massive drawcards for South Aussies and we expect them to grow even more in light of recent events.”
How travel agents can help
Ms Norman said booking through a travel agent means there’s someone to manage changes on your behalf, rather than you needing to spend hours on hold waiting to speak with a provider.
She said RAA Travel had been fielding hundreds of calls from travellers looking to amend current bookings, but the organisation was only able to assist those who had initially made their booking through RAA Travel, or were looking to make a new booking.
“When something goes wrong, the last thing you want is to spend hours on hold trying to get through to an airline,” Ms Norman said.
“Having an agent means you’ve got someone who knows your booking, knows the options available, and can make changes directly rather than waiting for hours to get through.
“That can make an enormous difference when things are changing quickly.”
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