Air France-KLM announced on Monday this week that, due to the current uncertainty of travel, they are offering fully refundable vouchers to customers who need to change their plans for whatever reason.
Also, Air France is offering its passengers insurance that covers COVID-19-related risks.
In separate announcements, Air France and KLM have revealed that passengers can request a fully refundable voucher if their travel plans change. The scheme, which comes into immediate effect, applies to all flights booked until March 31, 2021, and enables customers to book flights with confidence.
The Air France statement says, “In the context of the current health crisis and given the very gradual lifting of travel restrictions worldwide, Air France is introducing exceptional measures to assist and reassure its customers. If customers wish to cancel their trip, their ticket can now be changed at no extra cost and without proof, on the date and to the destination of their choice. If they prefer, they can request a refundable credit voucher.”
The airline also said that members of its Flying Blue loyalty scheme would have their miles and experience points doubled until the end of the year.
KLM also said that the refundable voucher is offered to travelers free of charge, and for any reason. They have the choice of using the voucher to buy a new ticket or to request a refund. KLM’s executive vice president of customer experience, Boet Kreiken, said,
“We’ve noticed that a lot of people want to travel, but are hesitant to book because of uncertainty and constantly changing travel warnings. We understand their predicament and are therefore offering customers this flexible measure, which is also valid for all customers who already have a KLM ticket or travel voucher. We expect that greater certainty and flexibility will reassure customers, prompting them to book and fly with KLM once more.”
To boost customer confidence even further, Air France, in partnership with Allianz Travel, has extended its travel insurance to cover coronavirus. Travelers will now be covered if they fall ill or need to quarantine because of COVID-19. The insurance provides medical assistance and the refund of medical expenses and costs incurred from quarantine measures, such as accommodation costs.
The cover is in addition to the existing travel insurance for cancellation, missed flight, multi-risk, and assistance cover. Travelers can buy the insurance at the time of their ticket purchase. It’s currently available to customers living in France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK, but will soon be extended to other countries.
The future of Air France-KLM cannot be guaranteed despite the billions of euros in bailouts injected into the group by the French and Dutch governments. The Finance Minister of the Netherlands made a gloomy statement on Sunday, saying that the airline group would need to cut costs. The cuts will need to be even deeper if the situation goes on to the end of next year.
Air France is slightly more optimistic, saying that it is currently operating flights to almost 170 destinations, including its entire network in France and its territories.
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