While the urge to travel is, no doubt, consuming all of us, the question remains on whether it is safe to book tickets now for future travel plans. If you have been having trouble deciding whether to cancel, postpone or book your travel tickets, read on to know what you should do. By Amitha Ameen
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Things have certainly got confusing ever since the COVID-19 unleashed itself on the world. It is safe to say that a lot of us are indecisive when it comes to our future travel plans, and the plethora of chatter and opinionated discussions on the internet certainly don’t help.
So what do you do? Here are a few things to keep in mind that’ll help you make an informed decision about your future travel.
You cannot be travelling anywhere during the lockdown period, depending on each country’s quarantine rules. Recent trends show that a lot of people are looking to travel from July onwards, as that is when the situation is likely to be under control. So although you can look at booking and planning for July from now, you need to keep in mind factors like flexibility, the risk factor, and your health conditions before you take the plunge.
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The next issue to keep in mind is the flight policies and fine print on their website. Although most flight deals are ridiculously low priced, it is important to keep in mind their respective cancellation and rebooking policies. While many airlines like GoAir and Indigo are offering cheap base rates, airlines like Spicejet have announced that they will be maintaining a credit shell for any bookings made for travel until May 3. The same can be used to make a fresh booking for travel until February 28, 2021.
The third thing to keep in mind is where travellers will be heading when the time comes. People will look at opportunities that will help them clear their mind, rejuvenate and de-stress them. Wellness vacations, beach resorts, nature parks, etc. will be the popular choices for post-COVID-19 travel.
Hotels like Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport and Roseate Hotels and Resorts have special limiter period offers on select rooms. Other Indian hotels including the Oberoi Group and Hyatt Hotels have special exceptions and free of cost cancellations and rescheduling amongst other offers.
So you will either want to book ahead or maybe choose a different kind of holiday for yourself. Perhaps a staycation at a private bed and breakfast with minimal or no crowds?
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Lastly, before making any decision keep your eyes and ears glued to your local news channels. Travel bans and regulations are constantly being updated, so you must be aware of this and be wary of your options in the event of refunds, cancellations, and bookings.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Travel Advisories Around Coronavirus