New FareLock option to make online flight bookings easier, say travel agents in Oman

Muscat: While searching for a flight ticket, you finally find the perfect fare: but you need to check with your office, before you can take off.
Now airlines, such as Jet Airways, Qatar Airways and flydubai are providing a smart travel option involving a unique booking feature called FareLock, which allows guests the flexibility to retain a selected fare for a limited period before confirming the purchase at a later date, travel agents said.
India-based airline, Jet Airways said their FareLock offer is applicable for flights operating from Muscat to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai and New Delhi, and offers guests the opportunity to plan their travel with greater ease and convenience.
“At Jet Airways, it has been our constant endeavour to introduce innovative features and services that ensure guests have an enhanced travel experience. The launch of FareLock demonstrates Jet Airways’ continued commitment to the ‘Guest First’ philosophy. This unique feature allows guests from Muscat greater flexibility in planning their travel, while locking fares in advance for the actual purchase. It will transform the way guests book tickets using our online platforms. With the introduction of FareLock, Jet Airways has yet again raised the industry benchmark for customer experience,” said Mannu Anand, general manager, Oman, Jet Airways.
Once a guest selects the FareLock option, they will need to pay a nominal fee for an international ticket to lock the available fare with Jet Airways.
“Guests can return to any of the Jet Airways online platforms or city offices within the next 72 hours to purchase the tickets and confirm their booking at the pre-selected fare by using the manage booking feature,” he said.
An official from Qatar Airways said there are people, who are not comfortable paying online, even though they book the tickets online. “They normally pick up the tickets from our city office,” the official said.
Travel agents said several other airlines, including Qatar Airways and flydubai, also offer the FareLock facility. “This helps people plan their holidays better,” a travel agent based in Ruwi noted.