Most airlines have waived change fees and offer flexible dates, meaning travellers don’t have to worry about additional costs for cancelled flights or disruption to travel plans caused by future twists in the Covid-19 tale.

Emirates, for example, allows passengers to change destinations at no additional cost; its tickets are valid for up to 36 months; and all flights come with insurance that covers cancellations and Covid-19 treatment abroad. Cathay Pacific is offering similar peace of mind, with unlimited, free changes allowed to tickets bought up until June 30.

Nevertheless, Griff says, it’s prudent to book using a credit card that comes with a robust purchase protection programme; one that guarantees reimbursement in the event of cancellations or airlines going bankrupt. “Be sure to read the fine print,” he says

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Now is also the time for frequent fliers to make their points work for them. Griff says: “Due to the pandemic, airlines have made frequent flier points even more flexible. That means you can lock in an award flight without worrying about it being non-refundable or non-changeable. With this added flexibility, it makes sense to redeem points instead of paying cash nowadays.” 

Hotels hit hard by the pandemic are also tempting potential travellers with deals. “Hotels are really pushing right now and there are a lot of competitive rates around,” says Paul Nguyen, owner of Smiling Tours in Vietnam. “Hoteliers understand the need to be flexible and many international chains are offering pay now, book later deals.”

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts – which owns the Ramada brand, among others – boasts a portfolio of more than 9,000 hotels spread across the world, including in the Philippines, China and Thailand. It is offering up to 25 per cent off bookings of three nights or more made by August 31. Additionally, it offers flexible conditions to protect against changes to plans.

As part of IHG Hotel and Resort’s ‘Book Now, Pay Later’ programme, visitors receive 15 per cent off the best rates, as well as the benefits of not having to stump up an upfront deposit and being able to cancel up to three days ahead of a stay at no cost.

The IHG umbrella encompasses a range of well-known brand names, from InterContinental to Regent and Crowne Plaza, but not included in the programme is perhaps the pick of the bunch, the Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

Digital start-up Hotel Credits is another great place to bag a bargain. The brainchild of popular luxury travel app Porter & Sale, it sells discounted “credits” that can be cashed in at participating properties across the globe at a later date. Currently, for example, US$100 is worth US$150 and US$3,000 buys customers US$4,000 to spend. 

Nick Ray, product director at Hanuman Travel, which curates tours across Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, says online tour operators abound with bargains. But although he has seen flight and hotel packages with up to 70 per cent slashed off the price, he advises caution.

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“At the start of Covid-19, we learned our lesson to be careful with online as there’s no human face to it,” Cambodia-based Ray says. “Dealing with a tour operator or travel agent gives some more protection.”

He recalls the chaos that descended in March 2020, as international borders quickly closed. “We were able to get everyone out [of Southeast Asia] while a lot of independent travellers ended up stranded. People are starting to realise the value of paying professionals to do a professional job.”

The key to being able to book a holiday right now, adds Ray, is flexibility on both sides. “There may be a fourth, fifth or sixth wave, or a new strain that causes governments to close borders down. If you’re willing to know the money spent on your trip maybe tied up for another six months or so, then booking now can well be a gamble worth taking.”