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The safety and wellbeing of our guests is a top priority for Accor and because changes are ongoing and unforeseeable due to COVID-19, we have implemented new cancellation/ modification policies to provide our guests with increased flexibility.
Global Policy for Existing reservations for upcoming travel through April 30, 2020:
• Guests who booked a non-flexible rate with Accor, may modify their reservation for future travel through April 30, 2021 without penalty by contacting the hotel directly. For a list of hotels, please refer here.
Note: changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability and any rate differences.
Air France & KLM COVID-19 Trade Rebook Procedure
Due to our travel restrictions imposed by the authorities during this period of health crisis, we adapt our commercial guidelines by providing more flexibility and simplicity for exchanges and limiting refunds.
Return Home Early Policy
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, we are offering advance packages and flights only for customers who are currently at their destination and wish to return home earlier, with no fees and no price difference, subject to availability on our flights. This applies to all Air Transat ticket holders regardless of their original return date.
For GDS bookings, please use the following waiver code COVIDCHG16MAR
Flexibility For Upcoming Reservations
Customers who have booked a flight with Air Transat for travel by April 30, 2020 can change their booking once at no charge towards travel completed by December 31, 2020*
• Change travel dates or destination—or both—at no charge up to 3 days before departure.
• GDS waiver code: COVID2020
In order to limit the spread of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV), an increasing number of countries and cruise lines are imposing quarantine or denying entry to visitors who have recently been to countries that are more significantly affected by the virus. If this is your case, it is your responsibility to check the entry restrictions of your destination country or your cruise line.
Most Up To Date Information
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have had to make changes to our flight operations and announce that we will gradually suspend our flights until April 30, 2020.
Transat would like to reassure you that we are making every effort in coordinating our repatriation flights. We are striving to ensure that the number of operating flights and available seats is sufficient to bring back all our customers to their country of origin as quickly as possible. All repatriations will be completed by April 1, 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The safety and well-being of our customers and team members remains our highest priority. American is in contact with U.S. and international authorities, as well as public health officials, and we continue to coordinate with them on all required health- and safey-related measures regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). Learn more about American’s response.
American Airlines President Robert Isom provides an update on how American is addressing the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. In this video, Robert touches on how the airline has enhanced its cleaning procedures, adjusted its flight schedule, and is working to give customers more flexibility with their travel.
American Airlines Waiving Change Fees for Customers Purchasing Travel Between March 1 and March 16
American Airlines announced today it will waive change fees up to 14 days prior to travel for customers who purchase travel between March 1 and March 16. This change offers customers the best fares with even more flexibility. The offer is available for any of American’s published fares. Additional updates on existing travel alerts can be found on aa.com/travelalerts.
Special Handling Procedures Due To Outbreak Of New Coronavirus
Please be advised of special handling procedure due to outbreak of New-type Coronavirus.
ANA has adopted a range of precautionary measures in response to the outbreak of the new-type coronavirus (COVID-19) in order to maintain a safe, secure environment for its customers, flight/cabin crew and other employees. ANA's handling in regard to this outbreak can be found via the below hyperlink.
We understand that the current situation will have no doubt impacted many of our customers’ travel plans. We’re working closely with the Government, and the rest of the rail industry, to help those wishing to alter their journey during the coronavirus outbreak. So, there are temporary changes to our policy.
REVISED REFUND AND CHANGE OF JOURNEY POLICY
We want to help those wishing to alter their travel plans during the coronavirus outbreak. So, in line with the rest of the rail industry, there are temporary changes to our policy.
• From Tuesday 17 March 2020, there will be no refund fee applied to Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak or Anytime tickets, and no change of journey fee applied to changes to Advance tickets.
• From Monday 23 March, that will be extended to all Advance tickets, sold by any operator prior to 07:00 on 23 March 2020, for travel after 07:00 on 23 March 2020. Refunds must be applied for before travel on the first booked train.
Dear Stakeholder
Avanti West Coast, along with other UK train operators, is introducing a reduced timetable in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will take effect from this Monday, March 23rd.
I wanted to ensure you were fully informed about these changes and other measures we are taking to keep our customers and our people safe and maintain essential services connecting communities across our route.
With the news dominated by Coronavirus, I wanted to get in touch and let you know that we are vigilantly implementing enhanced protocols to ensure your safety. We are closely monitoring the guidance of the World Health Organization regarding the spread of the virus and our focus is to ensure we meet customer needs whilst doing our part to keep you and our employees safe.
Dear valued Avis customer,
With the news dominated by Coronavirus, I wanted to get in touch and let you know that we are vigilantly implementing enhanced protocols to ensure your safety.
We are closely monitoring the guidance of the World Health Organization regarding the spread of the virus and our focus is to ensure we meet customer needs whilst doing our part to keep you and our employees safe.
We recognise the increased uncertainty that coronavirus (COVID-19) may be causing. This situation will remain under review and we will continue to provide regular updates.
We’ll do everything we can to help customers affected. Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to liaise closely with global health authorities and government agencies on behalf of our customers.
Our call centre in Delhi has been impacted by the Indian government shut down that came into force on Sunday evening (22 March) in relation to the Covid 19 crisis. We are currently working through our contingency plans, however this is having a big impact on call waiting times, for which we’re truly sorry.
London Heathrow - Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 Flight Move
From 29 March, we’re temporarily moving all of our flights from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 at London Heathrow.
Flights have now been updated in the schedule displays and flight numbers remain the same. Most flight times are as scheduled but a small number of flights may have a timing change.
New One Way Fares Terms and Conditions
We have introduced new one-way fares to enable people wanting to cut short their trips or to book travel home.
Dear Valued Customer,
I wanted to write to you to thank you for the trust we know you place in us every time you choose to travel with British Airways.
These are unprecedented times for our industry, our country and the world.
Book With Confidence Policy Update March 2020
Dear Travel Partner
These are exceptional times for our industry and the entire British Airways sales team is here to support you as we continue to adapt to the evolving global situation. We have updated several of our products and policies to help meet your changing travel needs.
Chauffeur Information
Carey acknowledges that we have a duty of care to our employees as well as our passengers, which is why, in light of the current COVID-19 outbreak, we have implemented several hygiene measures and ask that you adhere to the following guidelines to help mitigate the potential spread of the Coronavirus.
Carey is the only global operator to work exclusively with established operators in each location that we serve. We do not work directly with chauffeurs or independent contractors in our international cities. This provides a level of control that is unique to
Carey.
In addition, we have the statement below which sets out our approach.
We know that the COVID-19 Pandemic has temporarily changed the way your clients travel.
With the recent government-enforced travel bans, reduction of commercial flights, and mass cancellations of meetings and events, we understand that there is more than a little anxiety around travel.
However, in the face of such disruption, we understand that some of your clients will still choose to travel and will look to you for solutions. As always, Carey is here to help.
Dear Customer,
With the progression of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Chiltern Railways are doing everything we can to help reduce the spread of the virus. We wanted to update you on the actions we have been taking to support our customers and our people.
What are Chiltern Railways doing?
At Chiltern, the safety of our customers and staff is always our top priority. We are monitoring the situation closely and following the latest advice from the UK Government.
Chiltern Railway services from Monday 23rd March will be moving to a reduced timetable to ensure that vital train services for key workers can keep running throughout the Coronavirus outbreak. This timetable will remain in place until further notice, though service levels will be kept under regular review. People needing to travel on Monday should check train times from midday on Sunday 22nd March.
Please see below the latest information on CrossCountry revised services that will become effective from next week. It would be appreciated if this could be passed to rail booking teams and colleagues within your business as well as to your client partners to better manage travel arrangements and
service enquiries during this challenging time.
Nothing is more important to us than your safety, and we are doing everything we can to ensure the wellbeing of our customers and employees when you fly with us.
We have a strong, ongoing relationship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, the world's foremost experts on communicable diseases, to make sure everything we do meets or exceeds their guidelines.
Information is more important than ever. We pledge to share updates with you as quickly as possible, with full transparency and, as always, with your safety foremost in mind.
UK COVID-19 Response
Dear Colleagues,
I wanted to write to you and thank you for all of your hard work and continued commitment during what I know is a very difficult time.
We are facing an unprecedented challenge and I recognise that as teachers and leaders working to provide education, training, and assessment and to support your learners, you are on the front line of our national effort.
The Apprenticeship Programme Response To COVID-19
Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations and external quality assurance providers.
This document sets out guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations in response to the impact of COVID-19. It outlines the changes that the Education and Skills Funding Agency is making to the apprenticeship programme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Apprenticeship Programme response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
This is a difficult time for apprentices, employers and providers of apprenticeship training, assessment and external assurance. The Government is committed to supporting apprentices and employers continue to build the skills capabilities the country needs now and in the future.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responding by taking steps to ensure that wherever possible apprentices can continue and complete their apprenticeship, despite any break they need to take as a result of COVID-19, and to support providers during this challenging time.
Here To Help
DiamondAir can fast track & assist Clients who are still flying for essential travel & for repatriation customers, thus minimising dwell time & the stress of travelling under current conditions.
On behalf of everyone at easyJet, we hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe at this time and we would like to thank our travel industry partners and customers for your continued support.
In these unprecedented times, it has become increasingly difficult to operate flights whilst guaranteeing the wellbeing of our customers and crew and we have made the decision to ground all easyJet aircraft.
This means that from today, throughout April and possibly beyond, there will be no easyJet flights operating anywhere across our network. This was not an easy decision to make but one which was essential to protect the safety of our customers and our people.
As you may be aware, we have taken the decision to reduce our change fee to £0 until further notice for changes online and to £5 for calls to our contact centre.
However, for partner TMCs who have access to our B2B Contact Centre (with password) the charge will be £0.
For more details see:
COVID-19 Rescue Flights
easyJet is committed to getting you home and the full list of rescue flights are listed below. We are continuing to review the need to put on rescue flights across the network. Information about future flights will appear here.
To book yourself onto one of these flights, please visit Manage Bookings on easyJet.com or via the mobile app.
If you are unable to access Manage Bookings to book your rescue flight then please visit the airport where our Ground Crew will be more than happy to transfer you onto the next available flight.
Elman Wall’s Head of VAT, Laura Chipp, gives her views on the deferral of this quarter’s VAT payments.
You may have seen from last night’s Coronavirus news conference that the government announced that all VAT payments will be deferred until 30 June 2020. We wanted to provide some detail on this to hopefully give further peace of mind over the weekend.
This is a difficult time for apprentices, employers and providers of apprenticeship training, assessment and external assurance. The government is committed to supporting apprentices, and employers continue to build the skills capabilities the country needs now and in the future.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responding by taking steps to ensure that, wherever possible, apprentices can continue and complete their apprenticeship, despite any break they need to take as a result of COVID-19, and to support providers during this challenging time.
Update On Enhanced Financial Assistance to Businesses
Following the announcement of enhanced financial assistance to businesses, the following summarises some of the main schemes now available.
1. VAT Deferral
This applies to all UK businesses. It applies automatically so no HMRC contact is needed to access the deferral.
Normal VAT payments due between now and 30 June 2020 are deferred until 5 April 2021. Two points however.
• Firstly, VAT returns must still be completed and submitted to HMRC within the normal deadlines.
COVID-19 Refund and Change Policy
In response to the latest developments in the COVID-19 outbreak around the world, Emirates is taking extra steps to ensure your well-being and peace of mind.
Hello,
Please be aware that we’ve reduced our timetable in response to increased border controls agreed by the French government and lower demand for travel.
This means that some of our trains will unfortunately be cancelled. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information, we’ll be providing information on which trains are cancelled on our website: eurostar.com.
Details of these cancellations up to and including Tuesday 24 March 2020 are now available on the site.
You'll also find information on changing travel plans on the same site.
Please click on Find Out More to view an update from Luke Evans MP regarding FAQs on Job Retention Scheme.
This update was sent to us from our Partners at Focus Travel Partnership.
Dear Valued Partner,
I trust you are keeping healthy in these unprecedented times and fast-changing circumstances.
No one could have predicted that such times, dramatically changing the landscape of the travel industry, will come, but we are facing them today.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Information and Advice
Information for the public on the outbreak of coronavirus, including the current situation in the UK and information about the virus and its symptoms.
Travel Advice: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, and in other countries worldwide.
Dear travel industry partner,
I write to you in order to provide a short update on how we are dealing with the impact of the current COVID-19 emergency on the Grand Central business. As you will be aware the current restrictions on travel are having a major impact on business and the national economy.
With only essential travel permitted, last week Grand Central, Hull Trains and LNER, spent time developing a coordinated joint timetable of Intercity services for the East Coast Mainline. The aim of this was to ensure a sustainable delivery of essential connectivity across all East Coast Mainline routes during the current emergency.
Travelling with Grand Central Grand Central is committed to maintaining a robust and reliable train service while adapting to the impacts of the evolving advice from the Government, on minimising the impact of Coronavirus. Like many industries across the UK, Grand Central is looking at ways to offer the best service to customers, taking into account that some of the staff and suppliers’ staff may not be available for work.
As a valued passenger at Heathrow, I'm writing to reassure you of our commitment to your safety and that of our colleagues in light of the current global Coronavirus (COVID??'19) outbreak.
The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and colleagues is always our number one priority which is why, since January, we’ve implemented a number of measures at the airport to keep you safe through this difficult time.
Government Measures Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
This page provides access to measures taken by governments as reported to IATA. As much as possible, we provide a link to the resource on the respective website. Although we do our best to keep the information updated as it is reported to IATA, we cannot guarantee that the information is the latest. Please check with your country's authorities for a complete and most up to date information.
Travel News Powered By IATA Timatic
In connection with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the following changes have been published in Timatic:
ANGOLA - published 11.03.2020
1. Passengers and airline crew who arrive from or have been in Algeria, China (People's Rep.), Egypt, Iran, Italy, Korea (Rep.) or Nigeria are not allowed to enter Angola.
Following restrictions on travel in certain impacted regions and to support the health and wellbeing of our guests and colleagues, some IHG hotels are temporarily suspending operations.
The closure period for each hotel will differ by location and is determined by the requirements of each market. Travelers with reservations at any of these hotels during the closure window will be contacted directly. Organizations with confirmed group bookings will be contacted directly as well, and alternate arrangements will be determined. We are managing this on an ongoing basis, and I will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves.
Dear Travel Partner,
As a valued business partner of IHG® Hotels & Resorts, we appreciate the trust you place in us. Recognizing the ongoing and increased uncertainty that coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing around the world, our highest
priority is the health and well-being of our guests and employees. With that in mind we wanted to update you on the actions we have taken in response to the outbreak.
Given continued consideration of the coronavirus outbreak, and in order to facilitate our hotel guests to change or cancel their reservations, IHG has updated our cancellation policy with immediate effect. Our highest priority is the health and wellbeing of our guests and employees.
What started as a new virus many thousands of miles away in the heart of China has become a global outbreak, affecting people all around the world. The travel and tourism industry is particularly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 pandemic and I would like to re-assure ITT Members that we are here for you and are working hard to ensure that your voice is heard at this difficult time.
As reported through international media channels, a novel coronavirus has been detected in the city of Wuhan (People`s Republic of China) and the number of infected individuals has increased significantly over the past few weeks. The Company has released the following information which can be found via the below link.
Lufthansa Group will continue to cancel flights to mainland China until April 24, 2020. This affects flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao. For affected passengers to these destinations Lufthansa Group offers free rebooking or refund. Flights to Hong Kong will be reduced in March and April.
Coronavirus: Capacity Reduction Planned
As a result of the current situation caused by the accelerated spread of the coronavirus, the Lufthansa Group has decided on taking further measures to counteract the economic consequences.
Our Top Priority
For more than 90 years, Marriott has lived by a core value established by our founder, JW Marriott, Sr., to "take care of our guests and associates." This enduring value guides us as we face the difficult challenge of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday.
FLEXIBLE MEETINGS
At Meliá Hotels International we won’t charge cancellation fees in case that there is a sanitary alert in a destination where the event is due to take place.*
Visit meliapro.com/meetings or contact our sales teams
To our valued guests and Natives,
We’ve been watching and assessing the development of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic over the last several weeks with concern and we offer our thoughts for all those that have been affected.
We understand that the current situation may leave you feeling worried. Rest assured, we continue to closely follow the latest advice of the UK Chief Medical Officer, NHS and UK Government to minimise the risk as much as possible.
Travel requirements for different countries may change rapidly and we advise you to stay up-to-date with the latest changes for your destination. Immigration authorities for your destination can provide you with more information and can advise what measures apply to your specific situation.
Our Commitment To You
Dear Members,
Thank you for your continued loyalty and trust in Radisson Hotels in these uncertain times. Our commitment and responsibility towards you have never been stronger as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continuously monitoring the ever-changing circumstances surrounding the coronavirus and are going above and beyond to keep you, our guests, employees, hotels and offices safe.
The announcement by the Department for Transport on Friday regarding changes to the timetable, will mean a large number of train service amendments from today, Monday 23 March. Approximately 50% of services will be cut back across the network, with close to normal levels of service during parts of the morning and evening Peaks. This is to assist essential workers such as medical professionals and emergency services staff, travelling to and from places of employment. The reduced timetable will be in journey planners by Sunday 22 March
REVISED REFUND POLICY
From Tuesday 17 March 2020, it was agreed there will be no refund fee applied to Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak or Anytime tickets, and no change of journey fee applied to changes to Advance tickets.
From Monday 23 March, Advance ticket have been made refundable, with no refund fee applied due to the introduction of the reduced timetable.
In light of the outbreak in the United Kingdom of Coronavirus (COVID-19), a number of events have been cancelled or postponed. Considering this, there may be customers who have rail tickets that can no longer
be used.
Where customers require a refund on tickets they no longer require, or to change them to travel on another day, details of changes to current policy are in this brief.
Update on ticket policy and reservations during Coronavirus
We would like to make you aware of the following changes that TransPennine Express has made to its ticket policy.
These changes are effective from Monday 23rd March and will apply until further notice.
Firstly, may I thank our customers who have continued travelling with us during this difficult time. The impact of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) is being felt far and wide throughout the United Kingdom and the rail industry is no different.
As a company, we are following the advice given to us by the Rail Delivery Group, NHS and Public Health England. As long as the advice that traveling on trains is safe, we will continue running services and getting our customers to where they need to be.
On Friday 20th March 2020, the UK Government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Under the new Scheme, all UK employers will be able to access additional financial support from the Government in order to continue paying part of their employees’ salaries. In particular, the salaries of those employees that will otherwise be laid off (or, ‘made redundant’) in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.
A New Staffing Era
The Covid-19 outbreak provides significant challenges for staffing.
Here, Ami Naru - Partner and Head of Employment at Travlaw, provides some guidance.
There is no doubt that the Travel Industry has been hit hard by the outbreak of Covid-19. Clearly, keeping staff safe and staff welfare are a top priority for all of us.
The travel industry has been particularly hard hit as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. At Travelport, we want to ensure we’re doing all we can to help the industry through this unprecedented situation.
Click on the below link to access an ongoing update of each new policy by airline, covering information related to cancellations, change fees, and refunds. We’ll update this regularly to save you having to find information from a number of different sources.
The health and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our highest priority. We are closely monitoring the situation and we’ll keep you updated. Please make sure we have your correct contact details in My booking.
The safety of our guests, owners, team members and partners around the world is a top priority. We are recommending that our hotels around the world follow the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and their local health departments and to report any suspected cases to the proper authorities as soon as possible. We have sent supplies to our hotels in China for distribution to workers, guests, and members of the community.
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