Sometimes we have to change our travel plans. In fact, over the years we have had to do it on a number of occasions due to a number of reasons. From family member illnesses, Foreign Office warnings and even because of our recent adoption journey. It can be thoroughly upsetting, especially if you have spent a lot of money on the trip and (you think) there is simply no way of recouping it. However, there are a number of ways you can change your travel plans to ensure you can still take a trip. Even if it’s not the same destination, time or duration or the trip you originally booked. Here are a few examples of how.
Check Out Empty Leg Flights
So you’ve had to change the plans for your original trip for whatever reason. But then things get back to normal and you want to hop on the first plane available, right? You may not even mind where your destination is – you just simply need a break. Well, have you ever thought of checking out empty leg flights? They offer the flexibility of rocking up to your flight up to 15 minutes before take-off. Which is fantastic for a last-minute change of plan or getaway.
What are empty leg flights? When a private jet has taken its passengers to their destination and then needs to get back to base, instead of flying back empty, the jet companies offer seats on the journey at a reduced rate. Therefore allowing you to fly on a private jet at a fraction of the price you would pay if you had chartered it. Just imagine living your best life and channelling your inner rock star without the hefty price tag attached.
Obviously, you may need to be flexible when it comes to your destination if you want to take advantage of an empty leg flight. But if you are anything like us, providing you get a good deal, you are happy to explore anywhere. If you have had to cancel your trip what better way to make up for it than boarding a private jet, sipping a cold glass of fizz and flying to your destination in style. Some private jet companies offering flights weeks in advance. Therefore you may want to take advantage of a great deal regardless of your situation. Most operators have websites and some even have apps. This means the process of booking an empty leg flight couple not be simpler. Maybe you could even book your seat whilst you are on the way to the airport? Get private jets and their costs here.
Contact The Airline
in 2017 we were supposed to head to St Petersburg in Russia for Vicky’s birthday. Unfortunately, a couple of days before we were due to start our journey a bomb was detonated on the Metro. A Foreign Office warning was issued advising against all non-essential travel to the area. Having been to a number of places that have been the focus of terrorist activity over the years we’re sure we’ll get to visit St Peterburg at some point. However, a couple of days after an attack and with a Foreign Office warning in place didn’t feel like the most appropriate time. Therefore, Mr ESLT who had booked and paid for the flights contacted both our travel insurance company and the airline.
Our insurance company wouldn’t do anything. This is because it was our choice not to go. We were both convinced that the airline wouldn’t be interested either. Therefore we prepared ourselves to take the loss of cash Mr ESLT had spent on the flights on the chin and simply put it down as ‘one of those things’. However, the airline (not a budget airline may we add) could not have been more accommodating and understanding. The refunded the full amount (barring a small admin fee). We then used that money to enjoy a fabulous long weekend in Strasbourg. Therefore still ensuring we took a trip, just not to the originally planned destination.
We have also been in the position a couple of times where we have had to cancel flights with a well-known budget airline. The first time we did not seek any sort of refund. The second time however we did and guess what – we got one. We simply filled in an online form explaining that we never took the flight. They checked against their records to ensure we didn’t and we received a large proportion of what we had originally paid back. We then used that money to rebook the same flight but on another date.
Call Your Tour Operator
If you have booked your trip through a tour operator they should always be your first port of call. You may be amazed at what they can do when it comes to changing your travel plans. We have used one of the biggest tour operators in the UK on a number of occasions. We will continue to do so in the future, primarily because of their great customer service. Twice we have had to change/move/amend holidays we have had booked with them.
The first time back in 2014. We had a two week getaway to Crete booked but then decided we would rather go travelling instead. The second time was at the begging of this year. We had a two week Central America cruise booked. However, as we were going through the adoption assessment and our social worker, needed to see us every week, taking the trip was just not possible. So if you do have to change your travel plans, it is possible.
On both occasions, they’ve simply moved the deposit we had already paid (plus a small admin fee) over to a new holiday of our choice. Instead of going to Crete in the summer of 2014, we moved our deposit to a trip to Sorrento in Italy in April 2015. And instead of taking the Central American cruise, we had booked in January, we simply swapped it for a long weekend in New York. Obviously, timing is key. Therefore the sooner you can change your travel plans, the more likely it is your tour operator can do something for you.
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