SHOULD I POSTPONE MY VACATION?
With spring break and summer vacation around the corner, travelers are starting to feel concerned about booking their next vacation.
Every day new developments related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are emerging causing uncertainty among travelers. People are starting to evaluate their travel plans around the big question “Will I be safe?”
Travel agents have become the new spokespersons of this new disease by educating clients about the coronavirus and the relatively small risk of traveling abroad where there are no travel restrictions.
“Travelers are concern about going through mayor airports or just the fact of being in a plane surrounded with hundreds of people. Our job as travel agents is to keep our clients inform and use trustworthy resources in order for us to stay up to date with the developing news of this new virus”, said Arthur Salus, CEO of Costa Rica Dream Adventures and Duluth Travel that primarily books government, corporate and leisure travel.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on airplanes. “Before making the decision of canceling an upcoming vacation, we recommend travelers to wait to see how things will turn out”, Mr. Salus said.
Salus is encouraging those who are booking travel now to consider purchasing travel insurance. “The cancel-for-any-reason insurance policy could help travelers manage the uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak”, he said.
RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL
CDC has advised travelers to avoid all nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and most of Europe. These travel notices are based on assessment of the potential health risks involved with traveling to a certain area.
A list of destinations with travel notices is available HERE
Widespread sustained (ongoing) spread and restrictions on entry to the United States: CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the following destinations. Entry of foreign nationals from these destinations has been suspended: China, Iran and most of Europe (Level 3 Travel Health Notice).
Widespread sustained (ongoing) spread: CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the following destinations: South Korea (Level 3 Travel Health Notice).
Sustained (ongoing) community spread: CDC recommends that older adults or those who have chronic medical conditions consider postponing travel to the following destinations: Global Outbreak Notice (Level 2 Travel Health Notice).
For more information: Exposure Risk During Travel
DO I GET A REFUND IF I CANCEL MY TRIP?
Each company establishes its own refund policies. Some companies may base their policies on CDC’s travel health notices.
Many airlines are offering waivers that allow people to change their flight without having to pay the usual penalty.
If you are traveling to a destination where there are no travel restrictions, be aware that tour operators may not be accepting cancelations and instead are waiving their change fees for future travel plans.
In this case, each situation is analyzed case by case depending on the travel dates. Most tour operators are offering a credit to book your vacation within 6 to 12 months. If there is an increase in pricing, you may have to pay the difference.
Costa Rica Dream Adventures is changing its policies and offering a flexible travel plan for new reservations. The ‘Book Now, Travel Later’ program offers NO penalties on NEW vacation packages reservations made before April 30th, 2020.
The Director of Sales of Costa Rica Dream Adventures, D’jibia Joseph, is recommending future travelers to keep in mind of the peak season. “Customers want to keep their travel plans and still visit Costa Rica later in the year. We highly recommend being aware of the peak season like the holidays. Prices will be higher, and we may face availability issues”, said Ms. Joseph.
Hoping the situation gets better within two or three months, she is suggesting travelers of taking advantage of today’s travel deals and flexible policies to secure their space ahead of time.
AIRLINES WAIVING FEES
The following U.S. airlines have waived their cancellation fees.
–United Airlines all change fees waived for tickets issued on or before March 2, 2020. New tickets must be reissued on/before December 31, 2020 or 12 months from original ticket date, whichever is earlier. Rebooked travel must commence within 12 months from the original ticket issue date. For tickets issued March 3 through March 31, 2020, customers will be permitted to change free of charge to a flight of equal or lesser value up to 12 months from the original ticket issue date. See terms and conditions
–American Airlines No change fee if you bought your ticket before March 1, 2020. Are scheduled to travel March 1 – May 31, 2020. Can travel March 1 – December 31, 2020 or within 1 year of date the ticket was issued, whichever is earlier. Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip. other terms apply
–Alaska Airlines no change or cancellation fees for tickets purchased before February 26, 2020. New tickets purchased between February 27 and March 31, 2020. Read more
–JetBlue customers with existing bookings now have additional flexibility. Due to continued concerns about the coronavirus, all change/cancel fees will be waive for customers traveling March 10, 2020 through April 30, 2020.Customers may rebook their flights for travel through October 24, 2020. Original travel must have been booked on or before March 10, 2020. Fare difference may apply. For cancellations, funds will be issued as a JetBlue Travel Bank Credit, valid for one year from date of issuance. JetBlue temporary policy
–Delta Air Lines waiving all change fees for travel impacted by coronavirus. This applies to all U.S. domestic and international travel departing in March or April 2020, international flights departing in May 2020, as well as all tickets purchased in March 2020. You can move your travel dates and even select a new destination. You can cancel and/or change travel by December 31, 2020, or your ticket expiration date. Your unused ticket will be applied toward your new flight, and in some instances, a fare difference will apply. If the new fare is lower, you will receive an eCredit for the difference. If the new fare is higher, the difference will be collected. Even if you’re not able to reach Delta before your departure and don’t take your flight, all changes will be processed, and your ticket number automatically becomes an unused eCredit within 24 hours. Read details
WHAT TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERS FOR CORONAVIRUS?
Travelers who are still planning or recently booked their future vacation should consider getting the Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance benefit. This benefit gives the traveler freedom to cancel a trip any reason whatsoever (generally 2 days or more before the scheduled departure date) and is reimbursed for a 75% percent of their nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs.
Cancel For Any Reason is time-sensitive and must be purchased within 15 days of the date of the initial deposit for the trip. Though it’s more expensive, this option could help travelers protect their financial investment in a trip due to the unpredictability of the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s important to remember that standard travel insurance does not cover travelers who decide not to travel because of the outbreak.
Since this is an unexpected situation be aware that travel insurance may be adjusting their policies due to this coronavirus. Make sure to review the new updated policies.
HOTELS & VACATION RENTALS
If you made a refundable reservation directly with the hotel, you can get a refund. Largest hotel chains are waiving cancellation fees for travelers going or coming from affected areas listed by the CDC like China, South Korea, and Italy.
Companies like VRBO are recommending travelers review their cancellation policy and consider adopting a flexible or moderate policy for the time being. The company is accepting cancelations for upcoming reservations in an area affected by travel restrictions.
If you will be traveling soon, CDC recommends taking the following routine precautions:
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
-Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
-Stay home when you are sick.
-Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
-Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning product.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
-If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol.
For FAQ for travelers about COVID-19 visit CDCs webpage for additional information.