Rebooking

Rebooking is the process of changing an existing reservation to a different date, time, or event while preserving the original booking in some form. It is commonly used in travel, hospitality, and events, and contrasts with canceling and issuing a refund. Rebooking may involve moving to a different day, new schedule, or different seat or room, and often requires payment of fare differences or change fees, unless policies provide a waiver.

In travel, airlines, trains, hotels, and car rental agencies typically set rebooking rules based on fare types or rate plans. Flexible or premium fares usually allow free or low-cost changes; restricted fares may incur higher fees or no changes. Customers may also owe a fare difference if the new travel date or class costs more. In events or attractions, tickets may be non-transferable or subject to venue policies; if an event is postponed or rescheduled, providers may offer rebooking with the same ticket. In cruises and tours, rebooking follows provider-specific terms and may involve penalties or credits.

The process generally involves requesting a change via a booking platform or agent, availability checking, calculating any differences, and issuing a new ticket or voucher. Timescales and deadlines, blackout dates, and expiration of credits vary by policy. Tips include reviewing the terms before making changes, asking about waivers during disruptions, considering travel insurance, and preserving documentation of all communications.