Read This Before You Cancel Your Travel Plans Because of the Coronavirus

NOTE: THIS IS AN UPDATE OF A BLOG THAT WAS POSTED MARCH 15.

This too shall pass. The U.S. government has learned from the mistakes made by European officials. They are taking this virus outbreak seriously and taking great precautionary measures. Unfortunately, these measures also tend to scare the public and cause widespread panic. You do not need to stock up on toilet paper or cancel your vacation plans.

While it is prudent to postpone immediate or near future travel plans, you do not need to cancel or forego travel for the rest of the year. In fact, now is a good time to find great travel deals. Hotels, cruise lines, resorts, and airlines are taking a financial beating, so they are anxious to make up for some of these losses by offering SUPER INCENTIVES to get folks traveling again later this year. Look and leap on these! Most companies are also offering a travel promise that if you book a trip and decide to cancel because of the coronavirus, you will receive a full refund. Usually, you have to buy travel insurance to get this guarantee.

Airlines and the Coronavirus

Most airlines are allowing travelers to cancel their flights and put aside that money to be used on a flight at a later date, which doesn’t have to be booked at this time since no one knows how long this pandemic is going to last. U.S.-based airlines are offering flight flexibility through the end of April. For flights after April 30, U.S. carriers have not disclosed any official policies yet. I would adopt a wait and see policy because I think the airlines will extend this April 30 deadline if this crisis continues.

Hotels, Cruise lines, and Tour Operators and the Coronavirus

Most hotels and vacation rentals have adopted this same April 30 deadline, although AirBnB has a different policy. You may cancel a reservation up to 24-hours prior to check-in through April 30 without penalty. Again, I think this deadline will be extended if the virus is still an issue. Most tour operators have postponed their trips for thirty days. Cruise lines have suspended all cruises for thirty days. This date may be extended if the virus persists. If you have booked a cruise or tour, you will have to check with the cruise line or tour operator to find out what their specific policy is in regards to this situation.

FYI: Online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline are locked into whatever refund policies their vendors offer.

This Is Not Extraordinary.

Yes, the coronavirus is a big deal but it is not the end of the world. We have endured many similar contagions in recent years, such as flu pandemics, SARS, Ebola, MRSA, Cholera, and Malaria. In fact, the aforementioned diseases are far more serious than coronavirus. Eighty percent of those diagnosed with coronavirus have been mild cases and there have been few linked to children. Serious cases and deaths have occurred mostly with the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

TRAVEL TABOO

The government has put travel bans in place for certain places and made recommendations for others. Once things get back to “normal,” you should still check with the State Department and CDC for travel advisories related to coronavirus and other health and safety concerns. If you have a serious medical condition or comprised immune system, you should always talk to you doctor before traveling anywhere.

So I hope that once this is no longer an issue, you will feel comfortable traveling again. As someone who travels a great deal, I always travel like it is cold and flu season, meaning that I avoid close contact with strangers and avoid touching germy surfaces (handles, doorknobs, elevator buttons, airplane tray tables, faucets, etc.). Remember that someone may be sick but not showing any symptoms yet. Be sure to wash your hands with warm water and soap for twenty seconds. Use hand sanitizer that is at least sixty percent alcohol when you are not able to wash your hands. And do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands. These simple precautions will keep you healthy at home and when traveling.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

For the last few years I have been recommending travel insurance for most trips. At 7-10% of your trip cost, it is a wise investment. If you buy a “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) policy, you can cancel and get most of your money back under any circumstance. For example, a friend of mine lost her job one month before she was set to take an $8,000 trip. She was able to get all of her money back (less the deposit and a non-refundable permit). Conversely, you are able to cancel if something comes up at work and you are unable to get away or have a coronavirus fear. That said, always read the fine print and make sure you understand the policy before buying it. Be aware that you must buy travel insurance when you book your trip. You cannot buy it at a later date. Also, you should buy it from a third party, not the vendor offering your trip. Check out InsureMyTrip for more information.

FYI: If the carrier, such as a cruise line or airline, cancels travel then you will receive a full refund regardless of whether you have travel insurance or not.

TRAVEL AGENTS

Travel agents still exist and I recommend using one when booking these days. They are invaluable in these situations. They know what to do and you don’t have to do anything but call your agent if you have a problem. What’s more, their service is FREE. They are paid commissions by the travel industry so while they work for you, they are paid by someone else!

STAY INFORMED

Stay up-to-date with the latest information by checking the CDC website and by staying in communication with your travel provider. Sign up for airline alerts with your carrier and keep in touch with your travel agent, if you booked your trip through an agency. TSA is allowing larger bottles of hand sanitizer for the foreseeable future.

VIRTUAL VACATION

You can always enjoy a virtual vacation without any health or safety concerns, packing, planning, or money! March 30 is NATIONAL VIRTUAL VACATION DAY. Click on this link to learn more, including how to win cool prizes!