Travel Waivers: How Do They Work And Why?

Travel waivers are a way for airlines to provide flexibility to travellers when disruptions occur, such as bad weather or unforeseen events. They typically involve waiving change fees, which can be costly, and may also include refunding fare differences for changes made within a specific time frame. This allows travellers to avoid penalties for altering their plans due to circumstances beyond their control. The process of obtaining a travel waiver can vary, but it often involves contacting the airline directly or staying informed through their social media channels and email updates.

How do travel waivers work?

Bad weather waivers

Bad weather can cause flight delays or cancellations, so airlines often issue 'weather waivers' to give customers flexibility in changing their plans without incurring extra costs. Weather waivers are usually offered when severe weather is forecast in a particular city or group of cities that is likely to impact flights. This means that if you have travel planned to, from, or through these affected areas, you can make a one-time change to your itinerary without paying a change fee.

For example, if a hurricane is forecast to hit Hawaii, airlines may offer a waiver to allow passengers to change their travel dates without charging a fee. This waiver may also include a fare difference waiver, meaning you won't have to pay the higher last-minute fare. However, these waivers are usually only valid within a specific time frame, and you may still have to pay the fare difference if you change your plans outside of this period.

Airlines typically notify customers of weather waivers via SMS or on their websites. Customers can then follow the instructions provided to change their flight details. It's important to note that a weather waiver doesn't mean there has been a change to your specific flight; it just indicates the potential for disruption due to challenging weather conditions. To check the status of your flight, you should refer to the airline's website or mobile app.

To summarise, bad weather waivers provide travellers with the flexibility to adjust their travel plans without incurring additional fees. They are a way for airlines to help customers avoid the inconvenience of potential delays or cancellations caused by severe weather conditions.

Change fees waived

Change fees are costs incurred when a traveller wants to make changes to their booking. These fees can vary depending on the airline and the type of ticket purchased, with some airlines charging fees of up to $500 for changes to international flights. Basic economy tickets are often non-refundable and cannot be changed, while flexible or fully-refundable tickets usually allow changes to be made for free.

Some airlines have permanently eliminated change fees, including:

• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines (for flights within the Americas)
• Delta Air Lines (for flights within the US and Caribbean, and international flights originating from North America)
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines (for flights within the Americas and international flights originating from the US)

Other airlines, such as Aeromexico, Air New Zealand, British Airways, and China Southern Airlines, charge fees for changes or cancellations made within a certain time frame before departure. These fees can range from as little as $25 to more than $100.

In some cases, airlines may waive change fees due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather or illness. This allows travellers to change their plans without incurring additional costs.

Fare differences waived

When it comes to travel waivers, fare differences are a significant component. Typically, if you need to book a new flight at the last minute, you will be faced with a much higher fare than if you had purchased the same flight in advance. This can result in travellers paying a substantial amount more for their new ticket.

However, in certain situations, such as when there is a hurricane or other unforeseen events, airlines may waive these fare differences. This means that travellers who need to change their plans and book a new flight at the last minute will not be charged the higher last-minute fare. Instead, they will only have to pay the same amount as they originally paid for their ticket.

For example, if you had a flight booked to Hawaii and a hurricane was predicted to hit the islands during your travel dates, the airline may offer a waiver for that period. This waiver would allow you to change your flight without incurring the typically high last-minute fare costs.

It is important to note that these waivers are usually only valid for a specific time frame. In the case of the Hawaii hurricane, the waiver may be valid for a week or two before and after the predicted storm dates. If you need to change your flight outside of this time frame, you may still be charged the fare difference.

Refunds

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, you may be entitled to a refund. This depends on the reason for the cancellation or delay, and the airline's policy. You may also be entitled to a refund if you decide not to travel, again depending on the reason for the cancellation or delay.

Automated waiver services

There are many online waiver services available that allow businesses to automate the waiver process. These services provide businesses with the tools to create digital waiver forms that can be accessed and signed by clients online via most devices, including computers, tablets, and mobile devices. The data is then stored in a secure online database for easy access and retrieval.

One such service is Smartwaiver, which offers a basic plan starting at $19 per month for up to 100 signed waivers. The plan includes features such as waiver templates, an editor to customize waivers, and an Auto Photo Capture feature for added security.

Another popular option is WaiverElectronic, which offers flexible subscription plans based on the number of waivers required monthly. The platform provides a template tool with dozens of premade options and allows for customization with logos, custom backgrounds, embedded videos, and unique splash pages.

Jotform is another online waiver software that enables businesses to create custom waivers through form templates. Jotform Sign allows users to create, share, and e-sign documents in minutes on any device, and offers a free plan with additional features available in the Starter plan.

These automated waiver services provide businesses with efficient and secure ways to manage liability waivers, ensuring a smooth and convenient process for both the business and its clients.

Frequently asked questions