News: Airlines keep quiet about free booking amendments

Flights > News > # 2256 (17/09/2009)

Travellers have been kept in the dark about a new policy being adopted by some airlines allowing passengers to amend details for up to 24-hours after their booking was made.
Airlines have been notorious in recent years for imposing extortionate charges on passengers who wish to alter any part of their booking, with no-frills giant Ryanair stinging customers up to £150 to simply make a name change.
The "24-hour rule" has now been adopted by Flybe, according to the Air Transport Users' Council (AUC), in response to the AUC's campaign for a change in airline ticketing. The AUC launched its campaign beceause more and more people are being penalised for making innocent mistakes when booking tickets online.
Virgin and bmi adopted the rule earlier this year, British Airways has not changed the terms and conditions on its site, but is believed to be taking a more lenient approach to ticket changes, while easyJet and Jet2 already allow customers free ticket amendment within 24 hours of booking.
Passengers are advised to double check booking details and check the airline’s terms and conditions to see whether they have adopted the “24-hour rule” before authorising payment.