If you’ve been watching the steady proliferation of economy ticket tiers, you’re already well aware that airfare is changing rapidly.
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Long gone are the days of first class, business class, and economy tickets. Now, each option comes with perks and drawbacks. For example, your economy ticket might come with three different categories that let you do things like check a bag for free, cancel or change your flight, and upgrade to a better seat for a fee. Airlines like Delta have added yet another option: basic fares or tickets that count toward loyalty points programs.
In short, figuring out which type of plane ticket to buy is more complicated than ever before. One of the more difficult elements of finding the right airfare is knowing whether or not you need a flexible ticket that lets you change your flight, cancel it outright, or add a new stop to your route.
There are more factors at play when it comes to air travel than ever before, especially when you factor in potential disruptions like flight delays, missed connections, and lost luggage.
Here’s what you need to know about refundable plane tickets, along with the key signs that you should purchase a flexible ticket.
The basics: how to know if you’re about to buy refundable plane tickets
If you’re buying airfare on an OTA site like Expedia or Kayak, be careful about ticket tiers. Most often, these sites list the cheapest type of airfare that you can buy at the lowest possible price. That means you’re looking at basic economy fares that don’t include perks like checked luggage, the ability to choose seats for free, and the ability to change the flight.
If you want to book refundable plane tickets (which you can also rebook for free or for a small fee based on the price difference), I recommend booking directly on the airline’s website. There, you can find clear information on what your ticket tier includes, from free Wi-Fi to carry-on allowance.
Always check specifically for the option to change or rebook flights. You will pay more for this type of ticket—so don’t go with the most basic fare expecting flexible tickets. If you’re going to book flights on an OTA, wait until you select your flight and are redirected to the final sales page. That’s usually where you’ll see the option to pay more for a refundable plane ticket.
6 signs you need a refundable plane ticket
So, how do you know whether you need a refundable plane ticket? Is it worth it to pay hundreds more for a ticket when you might not need to make any alterations?
The answer depends on a range of factors, from your larger travel plans to your finances. Here’s what to consider before buying flexible tickets.
#1: You have another trip lined up after this one
I was recently stranded in London due to poor weather. I was delayed long enough (see: three nights) that I had to cancel another trip. That cancellation required me to push back my flight by two weeks when I’d be traveling for my next trip. (Welcome to the life of a travel writer.)
If you have multiple trips lined up one after the other, delays will have a more direct impact on your future travel plans. Your biggest concern in these cases should be your flights and accommodations, as these are the priciest parts of travel. A refundable ticket lets you adapt to hiccups as they happen.
You’ll feel a huge sense of relief knowing you can move those flights around without having to pay an arm and a leg. That’s doubly true if delays require you to change multiple flights… or hole up in an airport hotel for multiple days.
#2: You’re visiting a destination prone to bad weather
Speaking of being holed up in an airport hotel, my recent experience was driven by bad weather. Thanks to intense storms, flights in and out of Barcelona were grounded for days, causing a ripple effect of delays. Unfortunately, weather events like these are unpredictable, and airlines aren’t always on the hook for rebooking flights.
For example, US airlines are likely to rebook your flight in the case of delay—but they might push your flight days after it was originally scheduled. If you have a refundable ticket, you can (usually) cash in on that cancelled flight, then rebook another flight that suits your schedule. You might want to switch to another airline or re-route yourself altogether.
In short, refundable tickets give you more flexibility for handling delays and cancellations caused by bad weather. You won’t be stuck with the same airline, or on the same route. If you think you could face inclement weather, go for a refundable ticket. (Or travel insurance, which I’ll cover below.)
#3: You’re flying internationally or long-haul
International and long-haul flights (from San Diego to Boston, for example) are more difficult to reschedule because they’re pricier. You might also have layovers that you need to account for in the event of cancelling or rescheduling. In either case, having a ticket fare that includes free cancellations or rebookings will make your life easier. It’ll also save you a lot of money in case of any last-minute changes.
Let me give an example. When I travel home, I fly from Barcelona to Atlanta, then from Atlanta to Saint Louis. I don’t buy refundable tickets because these visits are low-stress, meaning my travel dates are flexible. I’m going home to visit family for a few weeks.
However, if I’m traveling home for a big event, like Thanksgiving or a wedding, I would buy a refundable or changeable ticket. Maybe I want to bump my flight up to give myself more time to get home. Maybe I want to re-route through another airport if it looks like Atlanta will be having adverse weather to make sure I get home in time.
#4: You don’t like buying travel insurance
A comprehensive travel insurance policy accounts for a lot of the scenarios listed in this article, from adverse weather to plane delays. If you tend to avoid travel insurance, a refundable or flexible ticket is one of the best ways to keep your itinerary dynamic without overpaying.
#5: You’ve been burned before
For me, peace of mind is worth a little extra fee when booking plane tickets. I’ve crisscrossed the globe over the last two decades, and I’ve been burned before—from stormy delays to riot-driven cancellations to lengthy reroutes due to volcanic eruptions. My recent delays in London kicked off a long reel of memories, from being stranded in airports overnight to being stranded in strange cities for entire weekends.
Buying refundable plane tickets gives you the reassurance of knowing you have the flexibility to change the most expensive part of your trip.
#6: You’re a sucker for a side quest
If you’re one of the blessed travelers who has an open-ended journey, and you consider yourself an adventurer who is easily lured away by side quests, go for the refundable or flexible. They’re more expensive, but they give you the freedom to keep staring off at a new horizon without incurring high fees.