The entire travel industry is devastated by the pandemic. It will likely be a few years before there is a full recovery, and even then there will be a new landscape for airlines, hotels, cruises, theme parks, and car rentals. With corporate meetings being conducted via Zoom, Skype, etc…business travel may never return to the level before the pandemic. The economic impact on many families will mean a lot less disposable income for extras such as vacations. Even if families travel it is likely that they will scale back on upgrades such as premium cabins or high-end hotel accommodations.
The year 2020 did bring about a few positives for travelers. Almost all major airlines, both domestic and international, now offer extremely flexible ticketing. You can book a flight with the peace of mind that your flight can be changed–for free. Ticket changes traditionally ranged from $75 to $500 (for international premium cabin seats). These new policies are fantastic, and I hope they stick around for awhile. Like every other business, policies and prices are set by supply and demand, so take advantage of this flexibility while you can. Just keep in mind that, unless your flight is cancelled or the itinerary significantly changed, you cannot get a refund–only a ticket change.
Hotels booked directly on their website have traditionally allowed for flexible cancelation unless you booked a special rate precluding cancelation. The pandemic hasn’t changed that policy. Those special rates can generally save you up to 10%, but there is an inherit risk for that discount. However, there is nothing preventing you from calling customer service and asking for some flexibility with dates. They want your business–especially now. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I think it’ll be some time before the average person feels comfortable being amongst the crowds typically associated with cruises and theme parks. Their travel industries may be the last to recover from the pandemic. They will be desperate to get business and will likely offer enticing discounts or packages to bring back business.
One thing for sure is that travel will pick up later this year. Keep an eye out for deals and vacation packages. A little effort can save you a great deal of money.
What is the first place you will visit in 2021?
Recent Comments