Travel agency officials have confirmed that travelers are attracted to the low price when purchasing flight tickets, but they fail to notice that any sudden change in their plans could result in them losing the full value of the ticket or paying high fees that sometimes exceed the difference between the base and higher-priced fare. They point out that the absence of 'change fees' for flexible tickets does not mean the change is completely free, as the traveler is still obligated to pay the fare difference. They reviewed the categories of flight tickets and the differences between them in terms of cost and benefits for 'Emirates Today', stressing that fare categories for travel tickets are more diverse and complex than many travelers realize. They stated that 'fare rules' and change and cancellation conditions have become a critical factor that can double the cost of a flight ticket or save it in case of travel plan changes. They emphasized that understanding fare categories for flight tickets has become essential to avoid unexpected costs, considering the change and refund policy the decisive factor in the final cost of the trip.
In detail, the Managing Director of 'Dubai World Travel Company', Badr Ahli, said: 'Fare categories for travel tickets are more diverse and complex than many travelers think. The visible price at booking is no longer the only indicator of the actual trip cost; instead, 'fare rules' and change and cancellation conditions have become critical factors that can double the cost or save it in case of travel plan changes.' Ahli added that the difference between ticket types is not just about the seat or service, but also the financial flexibility associated with each booking. He noted that the cheapest fare, usually known as the basic or promotional fare, is subject to strict conditions, typically not allowing cancellation or modification, and is non-refundable for many airlines.
Ahli stressed the importance of reading the terms and conditions, pointing out that the benefits of flexible tickets themselves may vary from one airline to another, so checking the benefits before booking is of significant importance. He continued: 'Even when canceling a ticket, it remains valid for a specific period, for example, 12 months, after which the traveler will lose the ticket's value if they do not use it.' Ahli also mentioned that the benefits of flexible flight tickets themselves may differ from one flight to another.
Ahli mentioned that travelers are attracted to the low price, but they do not pay attention to the fact that any sudden change in their plans could make them lose the full value of the ticket or pay high fees that sometimes exceed the difference between the base and higher-priced fare at the initial booking. He explained that on the other hand, some airlines offer what is known as flexible tickets, a higher-priced category that allows its holder to change the travel date or cancel the booking without direct change fees. However, what many travelers do not realize is that the absence of change fees does not mean the change is completely free; the traveler remains obligated to pay the fare difference if the ticket price on the new date is higher than the original price. Ahli revealed that in many cases, airlines have abolished fixed change fees for flexible tickets. He gave an example: 'A traveler bought a flexible ticket for 2,000 dirhams, then decided to change it to a peak period when the price rose to 3,200 dirhams. They will not pay a change fee, but they will pay 1,200 dirhams as the fare difference, which surprises people who thought flexibility meant zero additional cost.'
Ahli explained that the correct decision does not depend solely on the lowest price, but on the stability of the travel plan and the likelihood of it changing. A traveler with a confirmed schedule may benefit from a basic ticket, while for those who might change their dates, it is better to calculate the cost of risk in advance and choose a flexible or refundable ticket. Ahli said: 'In all cases, the 'fare difference' rule remains the decisive factor, and it should be paid close attention to. Flexibility in the aviation industry does not necessarily mean free changes; it often means abolishing a specific fee while remaining obligated to pay the difference according to the prevailing price at the time of modification. This detail may seem minor, but it can make a significant financial difference in the trip budget.'
Ticket Categories
On the other hand, the General Manager of 'Alawi Travel Company', Amin Al-Awaidi, said: 'Flight fare categories vary between (basic or promotional), (flexible), and (most flexible), with the essential differences between them lying in three main elements: flexibility for changes and cancellations, benefits accompanying the seat, and baggage allowance.' He noted that these elements differ between commercial and budget airlines.
Al-Awaidi explained that the 'basic' category is the lowest-priced option, aimed at travelers who focus on minimizing costs to the lowest possible level. It has fewer benefits, but most importantly, this category usually does not allow rebooking or ticket cancellation, meaning any change in plans could lead to losing the ticket's value.
Al-Awaidi pointed out that the 'flexible' category offers additional benefits for a relatively higher price, including a higher weight for registered baggage, but it often keeps seat selection subject to an additional fee. This category allows rebooking or cancellation for a specified fee, providing a degree of flexibility compared to the basic category without reaching the full level of flexibility.
Al-Awaidi clarified that the 'most flexible' category offers a higher level of comfort and a higher baggage weight allowance, and in some cases, seat selection without an additional fee, although this depends on the ticket category. It also allows modifying or canceling the booking for free. However, any modification is still subject to the fare difference if the new flight's price is higher than the original price.
Unexpected Costs
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of 'Sherif House' for Tourism and Travel, Sherif Al-Farm, said: 'Understanding flight fare categories has become essential to avoid unexpected costs that a broad segment of travelers might incur due to not reviewing the terms and conditions before completing the booking.'
He stated that airlines today rely on a 'fare ladder' system within a single cabin class, where benefits and restrictions vary significantly. He explained that lower fare categories are usually restricted and may not allow a full refund of the ticket's value, while the degree of flexibility gradually increases as the price rises.
He continued: 'Many travelers choose the cheapest ticket without reading the fine print, then later get surprised by high fees when attempting to change the flight date or cancel it, or by discovering that registered baggage is not included in the price, in many cases especially for budget airlines.' He pointed out that there are categories that allow one-time free changes or waive change fees, but this does not necessarily mean the change is cost-free. He stressed: 'The most important condition to pay attention to is the change and refund policy, as it is the decisive factor in the final cost of the trip.'
Al-Farm stressed the importance of reading the terms and conditions associated with each fare category before payment, and verifying baggage details, change fees, refund policy, and the validity period of any future credit.
He confirmed that good planning does not mean just searching for the lowest price, but choosing the category that suits the nature of the trip and the likelihood of plan changes, as the small price difference at booking can save larger amounts later. He also noted that there are flexible categories that allow earning miles and upgrades using miles.
