Youth travel
specialist Contiki Vacations has introduced its "Freedom Guarantee"
policy, which allows travelers to change their trip plans with no change fee
and without impacting their deposit.
“We believe that
a more noncommittal approach to trip changes and deposits will resonate
strongly with our travelers and deliver on a millennial expectation for more
flexibility,” said CEO Casper Urhammer.
As part of the
new policy, passengers booked on any Contiki trip can now change their
destination or departure date without change fees. However, normal cancellation
fees still apply on trips canceled or altered within 45 days of departure.
Additionally,
once travelers have paid a deposit on any Contiki trip, they can use that
deposit as a credit towards a future Contiki trip should they choose to change
their plans. They also have the option to gift the deposit to a friend within
five years of the original booking date.
The FlexDeposit,
as Contiki calls it, is available to redeem on any Contiki trip until a
passenger’s 36th birthday. Contiki offers
tours around the world to travelers ages 18 to 35.
For travelers age 36 and above, the credit can be
used with other Travel Corporation brands, including Trafalgar and Insight
Vacations.