Now Malindo offers to waive rebooking fees for GE14 too

GE14 | Malindo Airways has become the second airline to waive rebooking fees for Malaysian customers whose travel plans may be affected by the 14th general election.

“In anticipation of the 14th general election, Malindo Airways has come up with the following waivers to ensure that our valued guests’ travel will not be affected,” the Malaysia-based airline said in a press release dated yesterday.

It said the offer is available to Malaysian citizens who hold a valid Malindo ticket.

It would allow ticket holders one opportunity to change their travel dates for free, provided that this is done within seven days after the date of the election is announced.

This is subject to seat availability, but both the rebooking fee and fare difference will be waived.

For those who want to reroute their flight plans, the rebooking fee will still be waived, but ticketholders would still have to pay for the difference in fare prices.

Refunds will be subject to the ticket’s terms and conditions.

The move follows that of Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific, which made a similar announcement last week.

Cathay Pacific is also allowing Malaysian citizens to change their travel plans for free, provided that the ticket is issued in Malaysia and the change is done within seven days of the announcement of the election.

To be eligible, the election date should also fall within the ticketholder’s inbound or outbound travel dates, and they may delay their travel by up to two months from the original date.

Cathay Pacific’s waiver does not apply to fare or tax differences due to seasonality of the new travel date.

Airlines have offered special promotions in the previous general election as well, but in the form of cheaper fares, rather than offering to waive rebooking fees.

In 2013, Malindo offered special rates for flights to and from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu between April 10 and July 31. The general election fell on May 5 that year.

Meanwhile, AirAsia X offered special rates to registered Malaysian voters for flights between multiple domestic and international destinations from April 22 to May 5, 2013. -Mkini