MASTER Cancel Travel b/c of COVID-19 Questions Thread

[Anonymous]

I'm attending a conference with about 2000 attendees in Denver next week. The conference is on, they've been very communicative, and I plan on going.

[Anonymous]

"Anyone dealt with Context Tours before? We cancelled our trip to Italy and they're only refunding 50% of the tour costs, per their cancellation rules. Under normal circumstances, I understand that - but considering Italy is now at a Level 3/4, you would think that any upcoming tours booked before this advisory would be refunded in full. We're supposed to be in Italy from April 3-12 and had to cancel several Context tours, for which we only received a 50% refund.

Honestly, I'm far less likely to rebook with them in the future if they can't refund the full amount of our bookings in light of the circumstances."

I'm the PP who posted the above ^^ on another thread before it was locked. Just wanted to report back - Context did wind up refunding the full amount of our tours! I was extremely impressed with their customer service and will definitely book with them in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the Disney travelers, if you can't get your money back, I'd still go to Florida and maybe not do as many days in the parks (if you don't already have tickets). Go over to the beach for a day, rent a boat, go to the playgrounds, etc. And practice good hand washing. And I'd be sure to take shoes off and wear flip flops in the hotel room, if you are in a hotel and be sure to take showers right away and not sit on the beds with your street clothes on.

The only thing that concerns me is the swimming pool. I am avoiding those for sure -- might be irrational but too many germs in the pools and hot tubs.

FYI .. Disney tickets never lose value. If they expire, you can apply the purchase price to new tickets.

Also regarding pools, chlorine will kill the virus though it's not advised if you're already sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the Disney travelers, if you can't get your money back, I'd still go to Florida and maybe not do as many days in the parks (if you don't already have tickets). Go over to the beach for a day, rent a boat, go to the playgrounds, etc. And practice good hand washing. And I'd be sure to take shoes off and wear flip flops in the hotel room, if you are in a hotel and be sure to take showers right away and not sit on the beds with your street clothes on.

The only thing that concerns me is the swimming pool. I am avoiding those for sure -- might be irrational but too many germs in the pools and hot tubs.

FYI .. Disney tickets never lose value. If they expire, you can apply the purchase price to new tickets.

Also regarding pools, chlorine will kill the virus though it's not advised if you're already sick.

DP. Is this true? I have a bunch of Disney tickets I was planning to use this spring, but keeping on eye on coronavirus. They expire at the end of this year. They were specially priced tickets I bought at a school auction -- do you think I can just give them back to Disney if they expire and they'll apply it to new tickets?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the Disney travelers, if you can't get your money back, I'd still go to Florida and maybe not do as many days in the parks (if you don't already have tickets). Go over to the beach for a day, rent a boat, go to the playgrounds, etc. And practice good hand washing. And I'd be sure to take shoes off and wear flip flops in the hotel room, if you are in a hotel and be sure to take showers right away and not sit on the beds with your street clothes on.

The only thing that concerns me is the swimming pool. I am avoiding those for sure -- might be irrational but too many germs in the pools and hot tubs.

FYI .. Disney tickets never lose value. If they expire, you can apply the purchase price to new tickets.

Also regarding pools, chlorine will kill the virus though it's not advised if you're already sick.

DP. Is this true? I have a bunch of Disney tickets I was planning to use this spring, but keeping on eye on coronavirus. They expire at the end of this year. They were specially priced tickets I bought at a school auction -- do you think I can just give them back to Disney if they expire and they'll apply it to new tickets?

I am 100% sure of this for tickets bought directly through Disney and maybe 95% sure of any tickets that are completely unused and valid. Almost all tickets will have an expiration date after the first day is used (the exception are the paper tickets from the 70s, IIRC) but other than that, the face value of the ticket can be applied to new tickets.

You should call Disney and ask for an authoritative answer. Customer service is part of the Disney brand so this is something they've been consistent on.

[Anonymous]

I officially canceled my trip to Spring Training (I was taking my elderly parents). I still have to go to Florida anyway for work that week, but at least now the anxiety of deciding whether or not to cancel for my parents is over. My Dad's GP recommend he not go because of his age and health issues. He's writing me a letter for the airline. Now I have to get American to refund their tickets. WISH ME LUCK.

[Anonymous]

I am getting increasingly concerned about going anywhere in case we suddenly get quarantined. See Westchester for an example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you traveling for vacation, I'd check to see if the major tourist spots are even open.

The Louvre has been shut down for a week. So has Venice.

It's not worth going in these cases.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarathiessen/2020/03/02/as-louvre-stays-closed-how-does-the-coronavirus-affect-your-france-holiday-plans/#667c25de3089

The Louvre has actually been closed for two days, not a week, and pretty much all other sites in Paris remain open so it’s a little ridiculous at least at this point to say it’s no longer worth going.

[Anonymous]

Miami, first week of April?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Supposed to go to Hawaii in two weeks. Would you cancel?

Which island? I would go, but watch the news reports. Decide last minute. Depends on your tolerance for risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disney in April. At this point we are still going.

Same here. Tomorrow my CC gets charged the full remaining balance :/

While they might not let you cancel - they may let you reschedule. Call if you decide you want to delay.

I am staying at a Disney property and it says I have until 5 days before to cancel and it’s fully refundable. Where are you staying?

[Anonymous]

Florida Keys March 23 week? Cancel or go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New York City — last weekend in March.

I am still traveling routinely between DC and NYC. I am doubtful that NYC will ever be quarantined, healthcare is great, and you could easily hop in the car and drive the 4 hrs home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the Disney travelers, if you can't get your money back, I'd still go to Florida and maybe not do as many days in the parks (if you don't already have tickets). Go over to the beach for a day, rent a boat, go to the playgrounds, etc. And practice good hand washing. And I'd be sure to take shoes off and wear flip flops in the hotel room, if you are in a hotel and be sure to take showers right away and not sit on the beds with your street clothes on.

The only thing that concerns me is the swimming pool. I am avoiding those for sure -- might be irrational but too many germs in the pools and hot tubs.

FYI .. Disney tickets never lose value. If they expire, you can apply the purchase price to new tickets.

Also regarding pools, chlorine will kill the virus though it's not advised if you're already sick.

DP. Is this true? I have a bunch of Disney tickets I was planning to use this spring, but keeping on eye on coronavirus. They expire at the end of this year. They were specially priced tickets I bought at a school auction -- do you think I can just give them back to Disney if they expire and they'll apply it to new tickets?

I am 100% sure of this for tickets bought directly through Disney and maybe 95% sure of any tickets that are completely unused and valid. Almost all tickets will have an expiration date after the first day is used (the exception are the paper tickets from the 70s, IIRC) but other than that, the face value of the ticket can be applied to new tickets.

I once was gifted tickets. DH was supposed to go to a conference and we were given tickets for when we were there. Our family ended up not tagging along to the conference. We tried to use the tickets a few months later and we were out of luck. Not all tickets can just be extended or used towards a future visit.

I'm assuming if you buy full price tickets and end up changing your date, you can apply the ticket to a future date. If you got some deal and it is expired, you can't just use it later after it is expired.

You should call Disney and ask for an authoritative answer. Customer service is part of the Disney brand so this is something they've been consistent on.

[Anonymous]

I feel like staying put or going somewhere-chances are lots of us will get virus. I am concerned about being stuck somewhere. I see people asking about spring break-what about summer plans?