Worried about Air Travel & Coronavirus? Check out Alaska Airline’s Peace of Mind Policy
Alaska Airline’s new policy is helping flyers book their travel with confidence.
Many travelers are becoming hesitant to book flights due to the rapidly shifting coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Alaska Airlines is trying to offset some of this uncertainty with its new Peace of Mind Policy, which essentially suspends change and cancellation fees and offers flexible travel options for flights scheduled through the end of February 2021.
“We understand that information about the coronavirus is creating confusion and anxiety for some. Our first goal is to keep our guests safe, and offer peace of mind when it comes to flying with us,” said Andrew Harrison, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “So, through this period, if you need to change your plans after booking a flight, we’ll work with you on new arrangements and you won’t have to worry about any change or cancellation fees.”
Under the new policy, travelers who purchase Saver fares between February 27, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through February 28, 2021 may cancel their trip and deposit the funds into their My Account wallet.
If you purchase a nonrefundable First Class or Main fare between February 27, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through February 28, 2021, you’ll have two options. You can either make a one-time change with no change fee or cancel your trip and deposit the funds into your My Account wallet.
To take advantage of Alaska’s new Peace of Mind Policy, tickets must be changed or canceled prior to the departure of your original flight. If you purchased your ticket directly from Alaska Airlines, you may do so online. If you purchased your ticket through a third party, such as Expedia, Priceline, or another travel agency, you should contact them directly for assistance.
For more information about this policy, please visit Alaska Airline’s Travel Advisories page.
Find out how Collin went from being an over-packer to a carryon lover!
Any suggestions as to what to do to prepare for Coronavirus?
Jess, have you checked out the CDC website? They have great information there
Why aren’t airlines including tickets purchased awhile ago? Well before we even knew about this. It seems like if anything those tickets should be included since we couldn’t foresee this happening.
I booked a flight about a month ago and was due to travel next week to a baby shower on the east coast (from the W coast). Alaska let me cancel my flight and gave me back the majority of the flight fee, minus the taxes, as a credit to use in the next year. They’re not promoting it, but they may help you out.
I booked a trip months ago for Italy and Air France is still allowing changes without any penalties. There are some airline updates on this site that may be helpful to you: https://costco-travel-us-mbr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6397
Thanks Mita and Ceelee!
Because they want to keep the money flowing in with new bookings — these policies help convince people to buy now rather than waiting to see what happens. The airlines have nothing to gain adding flexibility to tickets already booked.
Because they need new Bookings for the Stock Market. If they really cared about the public they’d allow all flights to be canceled during this emergency
Here is a great article sent out by my husbands work… published by the CDC… great read! https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
Thanks for the CDC link!
Have U’all notice the hand sanitizer shortage??
You can’t find it in our city because of people hoarding it all. It’s crazy.😜
Same here… in the last three days Southern Cali has suddenly gone crazy hoarding sanitizer, cleaning products, water, and toilet paper! It’s nuts…
It would be a lot cheaper for people to buy alcohol to wipe hands with instead of the sanitizer which is more expensive. Also a cheap bidet and buying a brita big container with filters. There are so much more cheaper options than buying loads of toilet paper and bottled water. Also it doesn’t make sense that people are freaking out, they will need a lot more items to be cooped up inside for. Like food.
If hip2save could do some postings on how to stock up/matching deals during this coronavirus scare that would be amazing
Thanks! I’ll pass your suggestion on to the team!
I fly regularly for work (anywhere from 4-10 flights per month). To avoid getting sick I have a routine of carrying anti-bac wipes and I wipe down the airplane armrests, tray table top and bottom, air vent and essentially anything I might touch. I try not to eat on the plane, but if I do I wipe my hands with sanitizer or wipes. I also take supplements daily to ensure my immune system is as strong as possible, lots of water, emergen-c, zinc, l-lysine, and vitamin D. I wash my hands like crazy and do my best not to touch my face or eat with my hands.
Those are excellent ideas. I need to start wiping down planes. Traveled abroad in Oct and I got sick afterwards, clearly from the plane as I was in the tropics and it wasn’t cold/flu season there. Everyone on one of the flights was coughing, it was awful. Husband just got back from a trip today and goes again next week. I stocked up on sanitizing wipes. Need to get him more airborne, though.