Flexible flights can be really helpful when your plans are not final and you think you might have to change your flight dates or timing at the last minute. That’s when these flights can prove to be a boon for all the travelers. What’s important is that you should have that much needed knowledge about these flights and how you can utilize this flight option to your advantage. Well, we are going to tell you everything related to these flights and why you should consider booking these when your travel plans seem volatile.
Changing your flight dates or canceling your flights at the last moment is always bothersome. But now you don’t need to worry any longer as we will share all the information and details about the airlines that provide an option to book these flights for their passengers. We will also discuss all the pros and cons associated with flexible flights. This will also help you save your money and more importantly circumvent the hassles related to last minute cancellations.
Flexible Flights: What Type Of Flights Are These!!
Flexible flights lend that elusive privilege to its buyers which allow them to make changes in their travel dates and even choose a flight timing that suits them according to their plans. These flights are also generally known as “open tickets or flexi flights”. If you think that you might have to change your travel schedule or dates, booking these flights will help you save a lot of money. Moreover, it will also save you from the hassle associated with canceling and booking flights at the last moment. If by chance you have to travel in advance or postpone your trip for a few days flexi flights are the best option for you to go for.
Which Are The Major Airlines That Provide Flexi Flight Options?
We would like you to know that there are some major airlines which allow their passengers to make changes in their travel plans. Mostly passengers have to adhere to some general rules and guidelines and pay some kind of additional fees to avail this facility. Over the years these fees too have really seen a significant spike and that is something most of the passengers find displeasing. On the other hand there is also a possibility that the airlines will charge you extra for buying new tickets and canceling the ones you have already bought, it might include a penalty as well.
So booking a full-fare ticket is a better option to consider as it will include more options and would attract a lesser fee when it’s about making changes in your travel plans. Take an example as if you were booking flights from USA to India for yourself and you were to make changes at the last moment! It would really cost you a lot doing that. Let’s talk about some of the particular policies, fees structure and offers by a few well known airlines.
Delta Airlines
After the covid-19 pandemic Delta airlines continuously updated its rules and regulations related to cancellation of flights. The airline’s basic economy fares were not eligible for changes until now. Delta airlines have though provided an exception and have provided changeability waiver on their new basic economy tickets. That means the passengers who have bought these tickets for themselves are eligible to make changes in the travel dates and timing. Moreover, from July 2021 the airlines have also eliminated any kind of cabin change fares on the flights operating from the USA. All customers have to do is just pay the difference amount in the fares.
Finding Flexible dates on Delta Airlines
Go to the “Book a Flight” page of Delta Airlines and click on “my dates are flexible” checkbox. The Delta airlines flex search tool offers a unique feature to its customers that allow them to filter out the basic economy fares as well. Delta airlines also operates flights to India, so if you are looking for cheap flight tickets to India you can always consider and check if they have any good deals for you.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is one of the major airlines which have absolutely the lowest change ticket fees on most of its ticketing options. If the fares are more than the previous ones you booked for yourself, you just only have to pay the difference. If the fares are reduced or lesser, then you also get back the refund of the difference both the fares have between them. Doesn’t that sound amazing! What more does a traveler want? The passengers can make changes and cancel up to 10 minutes before the departure time.
Finding flexible dates on Southwest Airlines
You can go to the official website of the airlines and search for the flexible fares on the low fare calendar. You will easily get all the options and may choose the one that suits you the best.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines in between the year 2020 and 2021 introduced its new waiver policy which allowed the passengers to change or cancel their tickets free of cost on their business and first class flights. After May 2021 the airlines permanently changed their policy and eliminated any kind of change fees for their passengers. The new rules also apply to the flights which are bought through the saver fares and can be changed or canceled within 24 hours of purchasing.
Finding Flexible dates on Alaska Airlines
Just go to the homepage of their official website and click on the “all search options” box. After that you have to click on the “Flexible Dates” checkbox to begin your search with the calendar view. You’ll find the deals you want to book for yourself.
United Airlines
After the covid-19 pandemic United Airlines has also completely eliminated most of its change fees. It also applies to the economy and all the premium flight tickets for traveling in the United States, between the USA and Mexico or the Caribbean. Likewise, passengers who are traveling or flying internationally from the USA do not require paying any kind of change fees or penalties. These airlines offer a great opportunity for the passengers to book flexible flights from the USA to India as it carries major operations between the two destinations.
Finding flexible dates on united Airlines
Go to the official website and click on the ‘Calendar Shop” checkbox on the homepage. After that you will get an option to choose the month and you will get to the flexible date calendar of the airlines. There is also another option from the “Book a Flight” page of the airlines and you can choose the ‘my dates are flexible option’ and do the needful.
JetBlue Airlines
JetBlue is another airline that charges no extra fees from its passengers who wish to change or alter their travel plans. The passengers just have to pay the fare difference while doing so. The fares of the JetBlue flights are subject to change depending on the route. Another thing to mention is that they have kind of hidden their flexible flight search tool.
Finding flexible dates on JetBlue airlines
Go to the official website and click on the Book Header and select “Best Fare finder’ after that. It will show you the current month option along with other options as well if you scroll. Some of the other airlines that offer flexible flights are:
- British Airways
- Emirates
- KLM Royal Dutch
- Spirit Airlines
- Allegiant Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
Specifying Flexible Flights
There are some very basic specifications and rules that every passenger must be aware of while booking the flexible flight tickets. We will lend you an important piece of advice that might be useful to you when you consider changing your travel dates.
- Passengers are allowed to change their travel dates to any specific time only within the validity of their flight tickets. This can vary between months to a year.
- While making changes in the domestic flight tickets or travel plans, this must be done within 24 hours before the departure or on an inbound flight.
- At times when there are no seats available with the same fare on a particular cabin class or there is an increase in the taxes, the passengers have to pay the difference between the fare classes or the difference in taxes.
- Making changes in the travelers name or destination airports are not allowed by the airlines.
- Changing the dates for your flights is done only during the business hours by the airlines.
- When you put up a request for changing the date, the new departure time has to be around 24 hours after requesting.
- On changing the airlines there is no such facility to avail the benefits of flexi flights.
- If you wish to stay longer or travel earlier, these flight options are the best choice to make.
Benefits
1. Save Big
When we talk about the benefits flexi flights can provide the passengers with, the first important one to mention is you will be able to save big on your flight tickets. As the prices keep changing it is always not a smart choice to make the last minute booking for you. You will be able to choose a more suitable date for your travel if you have to make those last minute changes in your itinerary. It also saves you from the hassle of paying expensive penalties for canceling your flight.
2. Adjust As Per Your Situation
You will also get the advantage of adjusting your travel dates according to your situation. There might be instances where you have to change your plan; you are not well to travel or any other similar situation. Choosing these flights will always be rewarding for you.
3. Explore More
It also gives you an opportunity to explore new places and destinations. You can return to your origin destination whenever you wish. That gives you a chance to stay longer and explore more new places. If you are a whimsical person while traveling, booking these flights will prove to be an advantage to feed your wanderlust.
4. Be Spontaneous
Be spontaneous when you travel. With flexi flights you won’t be restricted to fixed travel plans. You can choose to leave the place early or stay there for a bit more time and enjoy the place. You can always make that call when you have booked these flights.
5. Less Crowded Airports And Flights
You’ll see that you won’t have to fuss about the crowded and all the clatter at the airport. If you love peaceful fights and prefer less crowded airports, this is the best option for you to choose. You get an opportunity to modify your flight timings and even can choose to travel on an early morning or a red eye flight to India or any other destination. It will lend you a seamless flight experience and will make your journey a pleasant affair. Saving your money on your flights which offer peace and comfort isn’t a bad thing at all!
6. Extending Your Trip
When you are left with no option but to cancel your flights it is certain that you will attract some penalties on that decision of yours. The airlines will have to make up for their loss and they will levy the extra charges when you cancel your booking. Flexi flights offer you the opportunity to extend your stay or your journey and within the stipulated time frame depending on your ticketing options.
Cons Associated With Flexi Flights
- These flights do not cover the stop-overs, re-routes and extended validity of the tickets.
- It will require an additional and an advanced search to avail the advantages of flexi flights.
- It’s also a possibility that the flights you change for yourself might not be convenient as per your travel plans.
- The fare differences, tax differences and the exchange rates will only be collected from the passengers.
- Converting a reservation to an open ticket must always be canceled before the date of the flight.
Tips For Flexible Flights
The pros though always outweigh the cons when it’s about flexi flights. We will mention some of the important tips that can help you save a lot of your money on flight booking or cancellations.
- Try to book your flight tickets on Tuesdays or opt for booking in advance.
- Set up the alerts that will notify you about the best deals.
- See if opting for a layover will help if there is a lot of difference between the flight prices at the time of a rush.
- Make sure your schedule is flexible and opt to travel early in the morning or on red eye flights. This can help you save big on tickets.
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest to fly.
- Go incognito while searching for flight tickets online. It will help you get the best deals for your flights.
Grab The Best Deals With Us
If you are a kind of traveler who is very whimsical about the travel dates and plans you can always go for flexible flights. It will save you from the frustration when your plans change at the spur of the moment. You won’t have to worry about paying any extra charges or penalties for altering your travel dates. You can also book flights to India choosing the same option whenever you find yourself somewhat unstable with your travel plans. FlightsToIndia provides all the best deals on various ticketing options for USA to India flights.
We have always served so many passengers and helped them save a lot of their money on their flight tickets. Our extensive experience in the aviation and ticketing sector helps us deliver the best services to all our customers across the world. It is also one reason why we have so many happy customers across the USA, India and Canada. We also provide fabulous deals on flight tickets that make booking flights from Canada to India absolutely easy and budget friendly. If you have any queries or concerns regarding international air travel and booking cheap flight tickets then we are a one stop destination for all your travel concerns.
FAQs
Q1. Is it possible to change the destination and origin destination with flexi flights?
Ans: No, it’s not allowed to make any changes in the travel destination and origin destination with flexi flights. You can only make changes to travel dates or flight timings.
Q2. Will I have to pay extra charges or fees to make changes with my flight schedule on flexi flights?
Ans: No, you do not need to pay any extra fees or charges to make these changes. All you need to do is pay the difference in the prices.
Q3. How do these changes affect and how do flexi flights work?
Ans: Well, they allow you to change the flight date absolutely free of charge. You will see these are much more convenient than the regular or any other flight tickets when your travel plan is not certain.
Q4. How to search flights with flexible dates?
Ans: You can simply search these flights by using the “flexible dates flight search tool” on the official websites of the airlines or our ticket booking platform and it will definitely help you get the best deals for you.
We hope that this little piece of information will surely be of great help to you when it’s about booking flights for you or your family. So the next time you find yourself in a similar situation or you are perplexed about which flight tickets you should choose for yourself while traveling by air, just get in touch with us. We will help you find the best solution to all your concerns regarding the tickets and flight bookings. Bon voyage!