Middle East Flight Advice: Don't Cancel Tickets, Check Insurance

0:00On this March 17th in Sydney, here's what is making headlines. If you're planning a flight through the Middle East soon, experts advise against canceling your tickets. Airlines from hubs like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are still operating, though at reduced capacity. Some Middle East carriers remain grounded at Australian airports, but transit flights are continuing with adjustments. Travel insurance typically excludes coverage for acts of war or armed conflict due to their unpredictability. Once Australia's Smart Traveller issues a do not travel warning for a country, your policy becomes void for travel there, even if just transiting, through. Industry leaders recommend holding off on changes yourself, as that counts as a change of mind and could forfeit refunds or re-booking rights. Instead, reach out to your booking agent or airline for options. If the airline cancels, you're usually entitled to a full refund for unused portions or alternative flights. Airlines from the region are actively helping passengers by reviewing and extending refund windows daily.

1:03However, these won't cover extra costs to reach your final destination. You can still buy insurance now for things like medical emergencies or lost luggage unrelated to the conflict. Just no claims tied to this widely known situation fall under known event exclusions and won't be covered. Always check the policy's fine print and Smart Traveller updates before traveling. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. A pillow that plays your podcast, music, or white noise privately. No earbuds required. So L.I. Soleypillow.com