Skytrans Airlines :  Cancellation & Refund Policy

As with any airline, there are sometimes circumstances that require passengers to change or cancel their Skytrans flights. Skytrans aims to make the cancellation and changes process as smooth as possible for customers. This article will provide an overview of Skytrans Airlines' cancellation policy, including:

• Fare rules for changes and cancellations

• Refund eligibility 

• Rebooking fees

• Notifying Skytrans of cancellations/changes

• Involuntary cancellations and compensation

• Exceptions to cancellation fees

Understanding Skytrans' policies can help travelers avoid surprise charges if they need to alter their flights.

Skytrans offers several types of fares, each with their own rules and conditions regarding changes and cancellations. The main fare categories are:

Regular Fares - These are the standard, flexible fares with no restrictions. Regular fares can be refunded or changed for a fee.

Discount Fares - Discounted fares that come with some restrictions. These fares incur cancellation and change fees, and sometimes have a non-refundable ticket component.

Sale Fares - Special promotional fares that come with the most restrictions. Sale fares are generally non-refundable and non-changeable.

When booking a flight on Skytrans, travelers should carefully review the fare rules to understand the airline's policies for ticket changes and cancellations. This will help avoid surprise charges down the line if a flight needs to be altered. The specific rules and fees for each fare type are outlined later in this guide.

For Regular and Discount fares, Skytrans does allow refunds on canceled tickets, minus any applicable cancellation fees.

However, every airline ticket also contains a non-refundable tax component levied by the government, which will not be refunded under any circumstances. This can represent anywhere from 10% to over 50% of the total fare cost. 

Sale fares on Skytrans are completely non-refundable, meaning the entire ticket cost will be forfeited if a Sale fare ticket is canceled. The only way to potentially recoup some value is if the ticket is reusable by another traveler.

So while Regular and Discount fares can be partly refunded, a portion of the ticket cost will always be non-refundable due to government taxes. And Sale fares cannot be refunded at all if the ticket is canceled.

In addition to any refundable or non-refundable fare amounts, Skytrans also charges a rebooking fee when a ticket is changed or canceled. The rebooking fee amount depends on the fare type:Regular fares: $50 rebooking fee 

Discount fares: $75 rebooking fee

Sale fares: Not rebookable 

These fees apply per passenger, per flight segment that is changed or canceled. So changing a roundtrip booking would incur double the rebooking fee. Any difference in airfare for the new flight must also be paid by the passenger.

For Discount fares, the $75 rebooking fee is charged on top of any non-refundable portion of the original airfare. So while some of the fare amount may be refunded if the ticket is reusable, the rebooking fee will still apply.

The best way to avoid all change/cancellation fees is to book a fully-flexible Regular fare that can be refunded or rebooked free of charge prior to travel. But these generally come at a premium cost.

To cancel or make changes to a Skytrans Airlines booking, customers must contact the Skytrans reservations team directly, either by phone or email. 

By Phone: Call +61(1800) 407 707  (within Australia) 

By Email: reservations@skytrans.com.au

It's important to cancel directly through the airline and not just the online booking platform used to purchase the tickets. Skytrans will not register the cancellation and process any potential refunds unless officially notified.

The airline recommends contacting them at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure to cancel a flight. This helps free up seats for other passengers. But in reality, customers can receive partial refunds even if they no-show for a flight, minus applicable fees based on fare rules.

Skytrans will immediately initiate any eligible refunds back to the original form of payment once cancellation is processed. Refund timeframes vary based on payment method:

• Credit card purchases - 5-10 business days

• Cash/debit card purchases - 20 business days

• Purchases through travel agent - 30 business days

It's advisable to cancel as early as possible to maximize the refundable amount. The airline will not refund taxes and fees for bookings canceled within 24 hours of departure.

Sometimes, flights are canceled or significantly delayed due to unforeseen circumstances outside the passenger's control. These involuntary cancellations qualify for various compensation and assistance from the airline.

If Skytrans cancels a flight for any reason, affected customers have two options:

1. Rebook on the next available Skytrans flight to the destination at no additional charge. 

2. Obtain a full refund of the ticket cost including all taxes and fees. 

Sale fares are also fully refundable in this situation.Additionally, Skytrans will provide reasonable compensation for the inconvenience caused by involuntary flight cancellations and significant delays. This may include:

• Meal vouchers 

• Accommodation for overnight delays

• Land transfers to the final destination

• Phone cards, internet access etc. to stay connected

The exact compensation offered will depend on the circumstances and duration of the travel disruption. Passengers have the right to submit claims for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred.

Skytrans may also provide cash compensation in the form of flight credits or gift cards for major service disruptions. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

While Skytrans' policies are generally strict regarding change/cancellation fees, the airline does make a few exceptions in special circumstances. Customers may have rebooking fees waived if:

• There is a death or serious illness in the immediate family

• There is a medical emergency affecting the passenger 

• Government regulations, like travel restrictions, prevent travel

• The flight schedule undergoes a significant change by Skytrans

In such cases, the passenger will need to provide documentation supporting the exception reason, such as a doctor's note. Skytrans will review each case individually to determine if fee waivers are applicable. This should be discussed directly with their reservations team.

Additionally, for involuntary cancellations outside the passenger's control, rebooking fees are always waived along with refunds/compensation.

• Ticket flexibility depends on the fare rules - Regular fares are rebookable, Sale fares are 100% non-refundable.

• Taxes/government fees on tickets are always non-refundable, around 10-50% of fare.

• Rebooking fees apply to all voluntary changes and cancellations - $50 for Regular, $75 for Discounts.

• Involuntary cancellations qualify for full refunds OR free rebooking on next available flight.

• Compensation for involuntary cancellations may include vouchers, accommodation, etc. 

• Special cases like emergencies may warrant waivers of change fees.

• Always contact Skytrans by phone or email at least 2 hours before departure to cancel.

Understanding Skytrans' cancellation and change policies is key to avoiding being stung by fees if travel plans go awry. While their rules are strict in some regards, involuntary cancellations are covered reasonably well in line with regulations. Booking refundable fares when possible, and acting quickly if plans require changing, are travelers' best ways to minimize financial losses..