Coronavirus - Travel impacts II

[sengsational]

If this thread represents how the general public is feeling about travel, I would say the airline, hotel, restaurant, etc., industries are in big trouble.

I think it's fear of the unknown that's putting a damper on travel. As in the stock market, unknowns seem to have more impact than a bad thing that is predictable. I can sort of see how in a few months, when we've seen how this rolls-out, people at lesser risk of high complications will get back to SOP.

 

[Chuckanut]

FYI, Rick Steves has extended his time period for canceled Italy trips to March 21.

 

[MichaelB]

I think it's fear of the unknown that's putting a damper on travel. As in the stock market, unknowns seem to have more impact than a bad thing that is predictable. I can sort of see how in a few months, when we've seen how this rolls-out, people at lesser risk of high complications will get back to SOP.

Yes, fear of the unknown, but airlines and cruise ships have imposed severe restrictions on reservations and tickets over the years. Even now, instead of offering full refundability, AA only offers “no change fee” for a limited time and only new purchases, with purchase price not refunded, only credited to future travel. Most people can’t afford to pay and not travel

 

[Sunset]

Yes, fear of the unknown, but airlines and cruise ships have imposed severe restrictions on reservations and tickets over the years. Even now, instead of offering full refundability, AA only offers “no change fee” for a limited time and only new purchases, with purchase price not refunded, only credited to future travel. Most people can’t afford to pay and not travel

Before this event, I have gotten emails for various cruise trips of a week or two and it included a link to get a loan for the travel cost

Since the Fed dropped interest rates today, I guess those loans will be more affordable

 

[sengsational]

Even now, instead of offering full refundability, AA only offers “no change fee” for a limited time and only new purchases, with purchase price not refunded, only credited to future travel.

Absolutely. AA's policy seems self-serving (to remedy lagging sales). Contrast that with a company like Viking (leveraging only what I have heard on this thread) with a policy that seems to actually respect customers. Not all companies can afford to give back your money, but it would seem a customer satisfaction no-brainer to allow people to rebook for free if they were heading into a hot-spot, and/or were at higher risk. It's also a smart move...do you really want to be the tour company where your groups dwindle, leaving participatants to convalesce along the way...not an image a travel company needs.

 

[audreyh1]

Well, made it through ATL, still got to get through IAH.

 

[nwsteve]

impact on trip insurance from Coronavirus

Here is a helpful discussion of current treatment of trip insurance and its coverage of coronavirus from insurance broker Squaremouth.com
https://www.squaremouth.com/press-room/travelers-guide-travel-insurance-for-coronavirus/
Short answer, unless you have cancel for any reason (CFAR), your recovery for cancellation is not likely. Even some medical coverage by some carriers may be negatively impacted. New policies all treat the coronavirus as a foreseen event and not covered UNLESS specifically stated.

 

[nwsteve]

Viking trip new cancellation

We have 3 trips planned with Viking right now including starting next week from Puerto Rico. We received emails last night advising of a very liberal cancellation policy for all booked trips and any new trips until end of April. You have until 24 hours before departure to cancel and get a two year voucher for full value of funds paid to Viking. Agent also mentioned that when her clients were rebooking their trips, the new trip was usually more than the one being cancelled even if identical.
Spoke with our travel agent today and she shared that in her visit with a large global tour organizer, he comment how strange the American response to the current "crisis" is compared to elsewhere in the developed world. For example, UK travelers would comment how terrible the situation is but then would immediately see how they can get a better deal. Let's face it, relative to Europeans, many/most Americans are largely amateurs at international travel.

 

[Global Wizzo]

Travel in April

We have tickets for mid April to Milan with trains to Florence. Only reason I’d cancel would be airline cancellation of the flights CC might cover the train refund. I don’t book tours or packages, so, if I had to cancel everything, I’m still out less than 2K for a two week trip.

Waiting on good deals back to Asia. Was in China in Jan. At least I didn’t have to deal with flights cancelling.

 

[explanade]

I think cruise companies are going to have to win customers back after all this.

Even if a lot of people weren't following the stories about those cruise ships, some being refused docking into ports, you have people repeating "floating petri dishes" over and over again.

Fact that they can give 50 or 100% credit towards future cruises suggests they have huge margins to play with.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Last Fall, DW and I booked a one week tour of the Tuscany area of Italy for mid-May. Total cost about $4,500 (not including airfare), deposit $400. Full payment due two weeks from today.
Since I'm retired from United, we ride space available passes and can't make any flight reservations.

Looking at the recent news, we had visions of sitting at a scenic café, wearing our biohazard suits and sipping wine through our n95 masks. Not appealing.
There is also the potential that United might suspend service to Italy, leaving us unable to get to the trip we had paid for; or worse yet, unable to get home. Or quarantined upon return.
And of course, all the interesting sites might be closed.

We have never purchased trip insurance, just build in extra time coming and going to allow for problems. We've had plenty of problems on trips but nothing that the insurance would have paid off on.

Today we contacted the tour company, they offered us a no-fee reschedule for the same trip in September at the same price. Our final payment is now pushed back until mid-July. We'll review the situation in July and either continue with the plan, or reschedule again, or forget it and get whatever refund (probably none) is available.

Travel is interesting...

 

[eleighj416]

We were were in China and Tibet last September. I have been following them since the things started to heat up. Here is their post on the subject (FYI, I have deleted their name) :

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, _____ Travel has been inundated with inquiries from concerned customers scheduled to tour China with us in the near future. With reported cases of infection on the rise in South Korea and Japan, the situation has become more challenging for us as these two countries are our key destinations as well.

As a customer, you should rest assured that _____ Travel always does the right thing in moments of crisis like this. We would never do anything to harm your health and investment for our own financial gains.

As stated earlier, we have cancelled all of our China tours for February, March and April without causing the affected customers financial hardship. We are working to cancel the rest of our Asia tours for the month of April with full intention to make the affected customers whole.

In the case of departures for May and beyond, we are prepared to cancel or postpone them all if necessitated by the pandemic. Please be patient with our decision making due to the nature of the pandemic.​

My wife and I leave for Romania etc for a tour up the Danube in April and an African Safari in August. We have no intention of cancelling anything in our future travel plans.

Ed

 

[GLM]

We leave for Jamacia Thursday

We leave for Jamaica Thursday .Today is Tuesday. Airport is a bigger concern than Jamaica. I will bring wipes like I did on our last trip to wipe down thungs that go in the TSA bin, our trays and screen . I wear my glasses vs contacts so I am less likely to touch my eyes. More vitamin C as usual for travel. Flu type precautions.

We were on a cruise ship two years ago with norovirus. Went low carb and no alcohol for a few days . We were fine. ( Celebrity did an AWESOME job of keeping us and the crew safe) Hope I don't feel the need to at our all inclusive Sandals resort . (alcohol and sugar really impairs your immune system )

Trip to Spain and Morocco for October, hopefully less of an issue then .

 

[Bongleur]

If your bags are opened, is there a notice given? Don't want a sickie handling your toiletries testing for drugs in your aspirin bottle.

 

[jayanu]

Just a prediction: Just about every carrier will eventually allow cancellations for a bunch of places around the world (e.g. Italy, Japan, South Korea), and will add to the list as the outbreak grows.

So if I had a reservation for an upcoming trip, I would wait it out (assuming it currently didn't allow cancellations).

Our Cruise on Cunard to Tokyo on April 11 was canceled by Cunard with a full refund and 25% extra if we book another cruise with Cunard by May 31, 2020,

We have decided no out of the country till December. Plenty to in the USA - take a motorhome to National parks.!

 

[samcat]

We're supposed to go to Vegas on 3/22. I doubt we will go but are waiting til the 15th or so to make the decision.

 

[tenant13]

I wonder what would happen if within a week or two - after US runs more tests - we end up being way more infected that anyone thought possible. It's hard to tell right now given how few people were actually tested in US.

So while I'm reconsidering my upcoming trip to SE Asia, the decision to cancel might actually be made by other countries not allowing US travelers in. It happened to China, it can easily happen to US.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I am guessing those of you still traveling are young and healthy.

 

[Sunset]

We have tickets for mid April to Milan with trains to Florence. Only reason I’d cancel would be airline cancellation of the flights CC might cover the train refund. I don’t book tours or packages, so, if I had to cancel everything, I’m still out less than 2K for a two week trip.

Waiting on good deals back to Asia. Was in China in Jan. At least I didn’t have to deal with flights cancelling.

You might want to check your airline as a number of airlines have cancelled flights to there:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-airlines-cancel-milan-flights-152303700.html

 

[Ronstar]

I am guessing those of you still traveling are young and healthy.

DW and I are 65/64, reasonably healthy, and leave in 5 days on a 21 day road trip. The only place that I'm a little worried about in Las Vegas. I don't sense any danger visiting national parks.

 

[Dtail]

Well, DGF and I are 58/60 respectively. We are in good shape, except for her back.
Nevertheless, we have canceled our Dominican Republic and Caribbean cruise trips for April and June.
Just not comfortable of getting stuck in a DR hospital or quarantined on a ship.

 

[Tiger8693]

I wonder what would happen if within a week or two - after US runs more tests - we end up being way more infected that anyone thought possible..

I am one that actually thinks that is the case, and that this is much more like the flu from a mortality rate than the "scary" 2%-3% that some people are freaked out about. If we have 10, 100, 1000 times more people infected but just can't tell it because acurate testing is not there, then we actually have much less to "worry" about and can all get out there, travel, and go about our lives.

 

[tenant13]

I am one that actually thinks that is the case, and that this is much more like the flu from a mortality rate than the "scary" 2%-3% that some people are freaked out about. If we have 10, 100, 1000 times more people infected but just can't tell it because acurate testing is not there, then we actually have much less to "worry" about and can all get out there, travel, and go about our lives.

I believe that as well. Even 2% is really not that scary when you think rationally and behave sensibly. Getting infected was always less on my radar than everything else that's going around it: panic plus overall gloom and doom affecting everything, including travel. So... if I manage to overcome my internal fears and do go to SE Asia as planned I might have much better and safer time than expected with less tourists around. I don't see why chilling on the beach in Malaysia or Bali is more dangerous than taking a subway in NY.

 

[MichaelB]

If your bags are opened, is there a notice given? Don't want a sickie handling your toiletries testing for drugs in your aspirin bottle.

TSA usually leaves a notice that a bag was inspected. If you find one, what do you intend to do, throw away everything in the suitcases? How does this help?

If you are this consumed with fear perhaps self-isolation is your safest course of action.

 

[EastWest Gal]

TSA usually leaves a notice that a bag was inspected. If you find one, what do you intend to do, throw away everything in the suitcases? How does this help?

If you are this consumed with fear perhaps self-isolation is your safest course of action.

TSA agents should be wearing nitrile gloves if they inspect your suitcase. It's to protect them from your stuff. They wear gloves when inspecting your carryon luggage for sure. And they change gloves with each inspection. I wouldn't worry about it.