Price Drop Protection: The Ultimate Travel Companion

what travel service refunds you if prices go down

The pricing model in the travel industry is based on supply and demand, which means that rates and fares fluctuate. This means that there is a good chance that the price of your hotel room, rental car, or airline ticket will drop between the time you book and the time you travel. While it can be frustrating to find out that you've paid more for your ticket than someone else, there are now tools and guarantees available from online travel agencies and websites to take the risk out of booking. For example, some airlines offer credits or vouchers if the price of airfare drops after you've booked, and there are websites that will track prices and rebook your hotel room or rental car automatically at a lower rate.

Characteristics Values
Type of service Airfare, hotel, car rental
Price tracking Yapta, Autoslash, Tingo, TripIt, Google Flights, Orbitz, Travelocity, PriceGuardian
Refund type Voucher, travel credit, cash
Rebooking Automatic, manual
Price alerts Yapta, Google Flights, Thrifty Traveler Premium

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Websites that track travel purchases

There are several websites that track travel purchases and help you get a refund if prices drop after booking. Here are some of the notable ones:

  • Tingo: Tingo tracks hotel prices and automatically rebooks your room at a lower rate if the price drops. It works with thousands of independent properties and hotel groups. The only limitation is that it doesn't support non-refundable rates.
  • Autoslash: Autoslash is like Tingo, but for rental cars. It tracks your car rental and notifies you if the price drops. It also applies eligible discount coupons to further lower your cost.
  • Yapta: Yapta tracks airfare prices and alerts you if the price drops. However, it doesn't automatically rebook your ticket. You have to initiate the refund process yourself. Yapta works with all major US airlines except Southwest Airlines and several foreign carriers.
  • Google Flights: Google Flights allows you to set price alerts for specific flights. It will notify you of significant price changes, helping you take advantage of lower prices.
  • TripIt: TripIt is a free travel organizer that pairs well with Yapta. You can forward your confirmation emails to TripIt, and it will keep track of your itineraries and maps.

In addition to these websites, some airlines, such as Southwest, have their own policies that allow for easy rebooking or refunds if prices drop. It's always a good idea to check the policies of the specific airline you're booking with, as well as consider using these helpful websites to ensure you're getting the best deal.

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Airline refund policies

Within 24 Hours of Booking:

The US Department of Transportation mandates a "24-hour rule" for flights into or out of the United States. Airlines must allow passengers to cancel or change tickets within 24 hours of purchase without incurring fees. Alternatively, they can opt to lock in the price for 24 hours at no extra cost. This rule is applicable to flights booked at least a week in advance and purchased directly from the airline. If you find a lower fare within this timeframe, you can book the new flight and then cancel the original ticket.

Beyond 24 Hours of Booking:

The refund policy beyond 24 hours depends on the specific airline and the type of fare purchased. Basic economy fares, for instance, typically do not allow for changes or refunds. For higher-tier fares, you may be able to cancel and receive a refund in the form of a travel credit, but this will be subject to change or cancellation fees.

Specific Airline Policies:

  • Alaska Airlines: Offers a limited price guarantee for online bookings. If you find a lower price on another website within 24 hours of booking, you can request a refund for the difference if it's more than $10. Outside the 24-hour window, their refund policy is stricter, with Saver fares generally being non-refundable.
  • American Airlines: For refundable tickets, you can obtain a refund to your original form of payment. Non-refundable tickets (including basic economy) have limited refund options, with exceptions for circumstances like the death of a passenger or a travelling companion, changes in military orders, or significant itinerary changes by the airline.
  • Delta Airlines: Charges a cancellation fee of $200 for non-refundable tickets, with the remaining amount issued as an airline credit valid for a year. Basic economy tickets cannot be cancelled or changed.
  • Frontier Airlines: Does not offer a no-fee cancellation option. Their cancellation fee is $99 for each direction of travel. If the price drops, you can cancel and rebook to receive the fare difference as a flight credit, valid for 90 days.
  • JetBlue: Offers a Best Fare Guarantee, providing a refund of the fare difference and an additional $50 credit for future travel if you find a better deal on the same day of booking. Beyond this, a change fee applies, and you may receive the difference as a travel credit.
  • Southwest Airlines: Does not charge a fee to change a reservation, even outside the 24-hour window. Depending on the fare class, you may receive a refund of the difference or a travel credit.
  • United Airlines: Has an "unofficial" refund policy for fare drops, but you would need to contact their reservations desk, and a change fee may still apply. Basic economy tickets are not eligible for changes or cancellations.

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Travel package refunds

When booking a travel package, it's always a possibility that the price will drop after you've made your purchase. This can be frustrating, especially if you've been monitoring prices for a while before booking. However, there are ways to ensure you're getting the best deal, even after you've booked. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get a refund or price match if the price of your travel package drops:

Understanding Pricing Models

It's important to understand that pricing in the travel industry is based on a surge pricing model, also known as supply and demand. This means that rates and fares fluctuate frequently. In fact, it's not uncommon for the price of your hotel room, rental car, or airline ticket to drop between the time you book and the time you take your trip.

Using Price-Tracking Tools

To make sure you're getting the best deal, consider using price-tracking tools or websites. For example, websites like Tingo, Autoslash, and Yapta will track your travel purchases and automatically rebook you at a lower rate or send you an alert if you're entitled to a price-drop voucher. These sites cover hotels, rental cars, and airfare, respectively, and they're all free to use. Additionally, Google Flights offers a price alert feature that will notify you of significant price changes for the flights you're tracking.

Knowing Your Rights

If your travel package includes a flight into or out of the United States, you're protected by the "24-hour rule" mandated by the US Department of Transportation. This rule allows you to cancel or change your ticket within 24 hours of purchase without any fees. Alternatively, airlines can allow you to lock in the price for 24 hours at no charge, but most opt for the 24-hour cancellation option. This rule applies to flights originating or landing in the US, booked directly with the airline, and reserved at least a week in advance.

Understanding Refund Policies

Each travel company and airline has its own refund policy for price drops, so it's important to understand their specific guidelines. For example, some airlines may offer a limited price guarantee, where they will refund the difference if you find a lower price within a certain timeframe (usually 24 hours). However, outside of this window, their refund policies may be more strict, and you may only be eligible for a travel credit instead of a full refund.

Comparing Prices

When it comes to travel packages, it's always a good idea to compare prices across different websites or providers. Vacation package providers like Travelocity often offer refund policies or price guarantees if you find the same package for a cheaper price elsewhere. Similarly, some airlines, such as British Airways and Singapore Airlines, offer best price guarantee policies if you book directly through their website and find a competing flight price on the same day.

Acting Quickly

If you notice a price drop for your travel package, it's important to act quickly. Cancel your existing booking and rebook at the lower rate, making sure to read the fine print to understand any associated fees. Additionally, keep in mind that prices can fluctuate, so don't wait too long to make changes, as the price may increase again.

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Hotel refund policies

A typical hotel cancellation policy will have a set deadline by which you must cancel your reservation to avoid any fees. This deadline can vary from 24 hours to several weeks before your scheduled arrival date. If you cancel after the deadline, you may be charged a cancellation fee, ranging from one night's stay to the full amount of your reservation.

Some large hotel chains offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in. This policy helps to reduce the number of no-shows and ensures the hotel doesn't lose too much revenue from avoidable vacancies. It also makes guests more committed to their travel plans, as they are less likely to make multiple reservations and cancel them at the last minute.

If you need to cancel a reservation, it's best to do so before the deadline to avoid any fees. If you have to cancel after the deadline, try reaching out to the hotel directly to see if they can waive or reduce the fee. Some hotels may be willing to offer a refund or credit for a future stay if you explain your situation clearly.

You can also consider shifting your reservation dates instead of cancelling. Some hotels allow changes without a fee, although you'll usually need to pay any difference in the rate for the new dates.

It's worth noting that some hotels offer non-refundable rates that do not allow for cancellations or changes. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before booking a non-refundable rate to avoid unexpected charges.

Additionally, there are websites like Tingo that will track hotel prices and automatically rebook your room at a lower rate if the price drops. Tingo works with most hotel groups and keeps checking for price drops until the day of your arrival or until the rate becomes non-refundable.

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Online tools and guarantees

There are several online tools and services that can help you get a refund if travel prices go down after you've booked. These tools typically work by tracking prices and notifying you if there is a price drop, and some may even automatically rebook your travel at a lower rate. Here are some of the most popular options:

  • Tingo: Tingo is a website that tracks hotel prices and automatically rebooks your room at a lower rate if the price drops. It works with most hotel groups and thousands of independent properties. The only limitation is that Tingo cannot help with non-refundable rates.
  • Autoslash: Autoslash is similar to Tingo but for rental cars. It tracks car rental prices and notifies you if the price drops, offering to rebook you at the lower rate. Autoslash also applies eligible discount coupon codes to further lower your cost.
  • Yapta: Yapta is a price-tracking website that alerts you if the price of your airfare drops. However, it does not automatically rebook your ticket, so you will need to do the legwork to get your refund. Nonetheless, Yapta has helped save fliers millions of dollars over the years.
  • Google Flights: Google Flights is a search engine that helps you find the best deals on flights. It includes a price alert feature that notifies you of significant price changes on the flights you're tracking. This can be useful for monitoring price drops after you've booked your flight.
  • Online Travel Agencies (OTAs): Some online travel agencies, such as Travelocity and Orbitz, offer refund policies or price-matching guarantees if you find a lower price on a similar package elsewhere. For example, Travelocity offers a refund for the difference in price if you book a flights-plus-hotels package and later spot it for a cheaper price online before your departure.

It's important to note that refund policies and price-matching guarantees vary across different travel service providers and websites. Be sure to read the fine print and understand the specific terms and conditions before booking your travel. Additionally, keep in mind that some airlines and hotels may charge re-booking or cancellation fees, which could negate any potential savings from a lower price.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there are several websites and online travel agencies that offer tools and guarantees to take the risk out of clicking "Buy". For example, Yapta and TripIt are free services that alert you if you're eligible for a refund or credit based on the airline's policies.

Major U.S. airlines like Delta, American Airlines, and JetBlue offer refunds or travel credits if the price of your ticket drops.

Orbitz offers a money-back guarantee. If someone else finds a better rate at Orbitz for the same hotel you've booked, the company will automatically reimburse you for the difference and send you a $50 code for future bookings. Tingo is another website that tracks hotel prices and automatically rebooks your room at a lower rate.

Travelocity offers a refund policy for most of its flight and hotel packages. If you book a package and then find it cheaper elsewhere online before your day of departure, you can get a refund for the difference in price.

Yes, you can use online services that track price changes and alert you if the price of your ticket drops. For example, Google Flights allows you to set up price alerts for specific flights. Alternatively, you can book through a program that guarantees a refund if the price drops, such as Google Flights or the Capital One travel booking site.

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