Is it better to use a credit card to book flights during this pandemic?

Lord_Frugal12

Hello! 
I have to be in Canada this autumn for personal reasons. I want to  book the flight tickets now.  But I am afraid of losing money or finding it difficult to get a refund if the pandemic worsens later this year.  So, would it be better to use a credit card, instead of a debit card, to book the tickets?  Would it  be easier to get my money back with a credit card?

 I don't like using credit cards.  So, would it be better to use a debit card and  buy travel insurance that might give me some protection in case I'm unable to travel?      

Thrugelmir

Refundable/transferable ticket perhaps if a refund is key. . 

Arnisdale

Lord_Frugal12 said:

Hello! 
I have to be in Canada this autumn for personal reasons. I want to  book the flight tickets now.  But I am afraid of losing money or finding it difficult to get a refund if the pandemic worsens later this year.  So, would it be better to use a credit card, instead of a debit card, to book the tickets?  Would it  be easier to get my money back with a credit card?

 I don't like using credit cards.  So, would it be better to use a debit card and  buy travel insurance that might give me some protection in case I'm unable to travel?      

Why do you absolutely need to be in Canada 6 months in the future?

CKhalvashi

A CC may help you in the event of the flight being cancelled, but won't help if you're unable to enter the country as there will not be a breach of contract in this case.

Airlines and banks don't set entry requirements and it's your responsibility to ensure that you can enter any country you may wish to visit.

bagand96

A credit card will only help you if the supplier is in breach of contract. (i.e. the airline cancels the flight and then refused to refund you.)  If you book a flight which departs but you’re not on it due to government travel restrictions then the airline wouldn’t be in breach of contract so the credit card wouldn’t help either. 

Fully flexible/refundable flights are expensive. Many times more than the normal economy fares. Currently though many airlines are offering more flexibility than normal, allowing free date changes or the chance to cancel for a voucher. Have a look on the airline’s websites 

It might be better to just wait and book nearer the time when the situation is clearer. You might end up paying more for your flights that way but there’s less risk. 

You will need travel insurance anyway, I’m not sure what the current situation is with policies but it might be hard to buy one now that includes full Covid cover.

And when the time comes book direct with the airline and not some dodgy online travel agent!

Westin

All very good advice so far.  I would just add my recommendation that you either book direct with the airline or use a reputable seller (Trailfinders, Expedia, Netflights) rather than buy on pure price from some overseas shonky online ticket seller.

eskbanker

Westin said:

use a reputable seller (Trailfinders, Expedia, Netflights)

Expedia may be considered a reputable seller in normal times, in terms of their scale and profile, but any time I've seen them mentioned on this board it's been all about how resistant they are to refunding.  I agree with the thrust of what you're saying but would add that researching agents on here and elsewhere would be advisable (although there will be negative stories somewhere about every company), and also using one that has a registered office in the UK in the event that small claims action is ultimately necessary....

joncombe

Personally I wouldn't consider booking flights by any other means than credit card.
It doesn't offer complete protection, for example if the flight operates but Government restrictions (at either end) prevent you travelling the card won't cover you. However if the airline goes bust, refuses to refund etc then it's invaluable.

I personally found it extremely useful to get refunds from Easyjet when they refused (which the credit card company upheld when Easyjet raised an objection) and also getting a refund from SAS who had been stalling for months (they kept offering a voucher instantly, worth a greater than 100% of the cost of the ticket but saying a cash refund would take months). That and good travel insurance.

blindman

Lord_Frugal12 said:

Hello! 
I have to be in Canada this autumn for personal reasons. I want to  book the flight tickets now.  But I am afraid of losing money or finding it difficult to get a refund if the pandemic worsens later this year.  So, would it be better to use a credit card, instead of a debit card, to book the tickets?  Would it  be easier to get my money back with a credit card?

 I don't like using credit cards.  So, would it be better to use a debit card and  buy travel insurance that might give me some protection in case I'm unable to travel?      

What's the rush to buy the tickets now?
Why don't you like using credit cards?
Whatever you do BOOK DIRECT with the Airline.
Look at suppliers Coronavirus conditions viz WestJet or Airtransat and any reviews.
This pandemic has shown what a load of scumbags OTA are.

The only OTA that has any credence iMHO is TRailfinders.

richardw

blindman said:

Lord_Frugal12 said:

Hello! 
I have to be in Canada this autumn for personal reasons. I want to  book the flight tickets now.  But I am afraid of losing money or finding it difficult to get a refund if the pandemic worsens later this year.  So, would it be better to use a credit card, instead of a debit card, to book the tickets?  Would it  be easier to get my money back with a credit card?

 I don't like using credit cards.  So, would it be better to use a debit card and  buy travel insurance that might give me some protection in case I'm unable to travel?      

What's the rush to buy the tickets now?
Why don't you like using credit cards?
Whatever you do BOOK DIRECT with the Airline.
Look at suppliers Coronavirus conditions viz WestJet or Airtransat and any reviews.
This pandemic has shown what a load of scumbags OTA are.

The only OTA that has any credence iMHO is TRailfinders.

Trailfinders aren’t an OTA, they’re just a TA.

blindman

richardw said:

blindman said:

Lord_Frugal12 said:

Hello! 
I have to be in Canada this autumn for personal reasons. I want to  book the flight tickets now.  But I am afraid of losing money or finding it difficult to get a refund if the pandemic worsens later this year.  So, would it be better to use a credit card, instead of a debit card, to book the tickets?  Would it  be easier to get my money back with a credit card?

 I don't like using credit cards.  So, would it be better to use a debit card and  buy travel insurance that might give me some protection in case I'm unable to travel?      

What's the rush to buy the tickets now?
Why don't you like using credit cards?
Whatever you do BOOK DIRECT with the Airline.
Look at suppliers Coronavirus conditions viz WestJet or Airtransat and any reviews.
This pandemic has shown what a load of scumbags OTA are.

The only OTA that has any credence iMHO is TRailfinders.

Trailfinders aren’t an OTA, they’re just a TA.

Correct.

My TYPO