CoronaVirus

Captain Flaps

Have flights and accommodation booked for July to hike part of the Vie Francegina. Flying into Geneva, flying home from Milan, hiking a lot of the interim distance. AirBNB bookings mostly so only partially refundable at best. Vaguely concerned for obvious reasons.

Also have flights booked to NYC in June, Hamburg in August and Dominican Republic in October. Could be a very expensive bundle of cancellations for me.

SusanC10

Captain Flaps wrote: »

Have flights and accommodation booked for July to hike part of the Vie Francegina. Flying into Geneva, flying home from Milan, hiking a lot of the interim distance. AirBNB bookings mostly so only partially refundable at best. Vaguely concerned for obvious reasons.

Also have flights booked to NYC in June, Hamburg in August and Dominican Republic in October. Could be a very expensive bundle of cancellations for me.

Do you have Travel Insurance ?

Captain Flaps

SusanC10 wrote: »

Do you have Travel Insurance ?

Yes, won't be TOO bad but there'll undoubtedly be some small print stuff that doesn't cover something or other.

Tenzor07

Ryanair curtailing flights:

Ryanair

Ryanair has been forced to cancel up to 25% of all Italian short haul flights for a three week period from the 17th March to 8th April, in response to the Covid19 virus. All impacted customers are being notified by email and SMS and given the option to request a refund, rebook or re-route their journey.

Caranica

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Ryanair curtailing flights:

I'm due to fly direct Dublin to Treviso and haven't heard from them so presume it's among the 75% still going ahead.

phobia2011

I’m hoping to go to New York in October, checking out flights at the moment.
Is it risky to book flights? Currently have no travel insurance, do I need to purchase it before I book my flights? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help/guidance.

Manic Moran

October?!

If there's still a coronavirus pandemic in October, it's not holidays you need to be worried about, it's a complete breakdown in society.

irishgrover

phobia2011 wrote: »

I’m hoping to go to New York in October, checking out flights at the moment.
Is it risky to book flights? Currently have no travel insurance, do I need to purchase it before I book my flights? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help/guidance.

I think that if you are planning on traveling anywhere in 2020 then now is a good time to buy travel insurance. The risk of disruption is higher than normal.
In addition I can only see the price on travel insurance going in one direction.

phobia2011

Manic Moran wrote: »

October?!

If there's still a coronavirus pandemic in October, it's not holidays you need to be worried about, it's a complete breakdown in society.

Can I get insurance for that kind of breakdown 😳

Johnny Sausage

I'm going in 2 weeks and I'm not even the slightest bit worried

Tenzor07

Caranica wrote: »

I'm due to fly direct Dublin to Treviso and haven't heard from them so presume it's among the 75% still going ahead.

What they may do is reduce the frequency of flights and stop any additional seats being booked online... Seems to be 4 per week, so not sure if they had 7 per week...

yellow hen

Has anyone successfully cancelled and had a trip refunded due to a medical reason? I have a child with asthma and we're due to go to London but the thoughts of the tube and overcrowded museums terrifies me. If the Respiratory consultant provides him with a letter not to travel, does anyone actually accept that? We have travel insurance too.

gmisk

I am meant to be flying into Verona mid April staying in lake Garda...I am really not keen given the number in Italy...but husband pretty insistent we are going if the flights aren't cancelled...

gmisk

yellow hen wrote: »

Has anyone successfully cancelled and had a trip refunded due to a medical reason? I have a child with asthma and we're due to go to London but the thoughts of the tube and overcrowded museums terrifies me. If the Respiratory consultant provides him with a letter not to travel, does anyone actually accept that? We have travel insurance too.

Ok silly question why did you book London in that case? The tube is always overcrowded as are the mueseums.
I doubt travel insurance will pay out.

MayoSalmon

gmisk wrote: »

I am meant to be flying into Verona mid April staying in lake Garda...I am really not keen given the number in Italy...but husband pretty insistent we are going if the flights aren't cancelled...

Go enjoy yourself and stop worrying about a bloody flu

Johnny Sausage

yellow hen wrote: »

Has anyone successfully cancelled and had a trip refunded due to a medical reason? I have a child with asthma and we're due to go to London but the thoughts of the tube and overcrowded museums terrifies me. If the Respiratory consultant provides him with a letter not to travel, does anyone actually accept that? We have travel insurance too.

i've bad asthma and been on the tube hundreds of times

killbillvol2

yellow hen wrote: »

Has anyone successfully cancelled and had a trip refunded due to a medical reason? I have a child with asthma and we're due to go to London but the thoughts of the tube and overcrowded museums terrifies me. If the Respiratory consultant provides him with a letter not to travel, does anyone actually accept that? We have travel insurance too.

It's pretty standard that insurance policies don't cover pre-existing conditions. As someone else said, why did you book the trip if it's an issue for your son? That's what the insurance company will ask.

yellow hen

@gmisk and @killbillvol2 Seeing as you are both very curious as to why we booked a family break, I'll tell you. we booked it before there was any incidence of coronavirus. In general, asthma would not prevent him travelling anywhere. At this moment in time, the prevalence of germs in crowded areas coupled with his increased vulnerabilty is why we no longer wish to travel.

killbillvol2

yellow hen wrote: »

@gmisk and @killbillvol2 Seeing as you are both very curious as to why we booked a family break, I'll tell you. we booked it before there was any incidence of coronavirus. In general, asthma would not prevent him travelling anywhere. At this moment in time, the prevalence of germs in crowded areas coupled with his increased vulnerabilty is why we no longer wish to travel.

I have no interest in why you booked a holiday. I told you why a claim is very unlikely to be successful.

yellow hen

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I have no interest in why you booked a holiday. I told you why a claim is very unlikely to be successful.

With respect, why did you ask then? By the way, I do appreciate your other response but I don't like being questioned as to why I booked a holiday.

fits

Yellow Hen, I think in your case Id just wait and see. Cancel what you can. Make a decision closer to the time. And if you cant get refunds I'd just try and absorb it. Its unfortunate but best to be cautious. I think travel insurance will only pay out if there is an official travel advisory (not beyond realms of possibility - but unlikely).

Springfields

yellow hen wrote: »

With respect, why did you ask then? By the way, I do appreciate your other response but I don't like being questioned as to why I booked a holiday.

You'll need to check fine print of actual policy. I know ours has a list of exemptions and one was in the case of epidemic or pandemic..
We have 2 weeks to decide , Barcelona booked for June, can forego the flights but need to decide re accommodation

otnomart

Spain now under the spotlight:
Spanish victim died on the 13 February, that was well before than:
First French case - showing symptoms from 13 February, and diagnosed on 25 February
First Italian case - diagnosed on 20 February
(On 19 February, Valencia fans travelled to Bergamo for match with Atalanta)

Tenzor07

DFA now advising against all non-essential travel to Northern Italy and raised the caution level.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/italy/

gmisk

Tenzor07 wrote: »

DFA now advising against all non-essential travel to Northern Italy and raised the caution level.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/italy/

Ok so I am flying to Verona and staying in lake Garda in April.
Will aerlingus give me a refund now?
Will be calling hotel as well paid upfront....so I am guessing I can claim on insurance if they won't refund?

Tenzor07

gmisk wrote: »

Ok so I am flying to Verona and staying in lake Garda in April.
Will aerlingus give me a refund now?
Will be calling hotel as well paid upfront....so I am guessing I can claim on insurance if they won't refund?

I see that U.S Airlines are going to waive flight change or cancellation fees to Coronavirus regions such as Asia..

No indication that the European airlines will do the same... Yet...

Caranica

gmisk wrote: »

Ok so I am flying to Verona and staying in lake Garda in April.
Will aerlingus give me a refund now?
Will be calling hotel as well paid upfront....so I am guessing I can claim on insurance if they won't refund?

Aer Lingus have been offering flight changes for a certain period afaik.

I'm due to go to Veneto region in 2.5 weeks. Flights, hotel and parking prepaid. Will start fight with travel insurance (AIB) tomorrow

uck51js9zml2yt

gmisk wrote: »

Ok so I am flying to Verona and staying in lake Garda in April.
Will aerlingus give me a refund now?
Will be calling hotel as well paid upfront....so I am guessing I can claim on insurance if they won't refund?

You'll get back taxes .
I was looking at rescheduling but it worked out dearer than just cancelling and and rebooking at a later date

gmisk

Eduardo CoolS Self-starter wrote: »

You'll get back taxes .
I was looking at rescheduling but it worked out dearer than just cancelling and and rebooking at a later date

Does the non essential travel thing from DFA not make a difference RE flight?

gmisk

Caranica wrote: »

Aer Lingus have been offering flight changes for a certain period afaik.

I'm due to go to Veneto region in 2.5 weeks. Flights, hotel and parking prepaid. Will start fight with travel insurance (AIB) tomorrow

Let me know how you get on I am in very similar boat will be arguing with Allianz myself!

Tenzor07

gmisk wrote: »

Does the non essential travel thing from DFA not make a difference RE flight?

It's when they change "Avoid non-essential" travel to "Do not travel" is what would make the difference... so far is still on yellow..

Springfields

Tenzor07 wrote: »

It's when they change "Avoid non-essential" travel to "Do not travel" is what would make the difference... so far is still on yellow..

Our holiday company will only refund if it's a 'do not travel' advice..would imagine most would be the same. Aer lingus allowing you to change flights to other areas free of charge...they will all do their level best not to refund if they can avoid

odyssey06

If anyone tries claim under the MultipTrip.com optional extra for Travel Disruption, please let us know how you get on.

If you have travel disruption cover as an extra on your travel insurance policy you can claim under these conditions e.g. for MultiTrip.com
Covers cancellation or curtailment charges should the Foreign & Commonwealth Office or World Health Organisation advise against travel to the country or specific area you are travelling to.
https://www.multitrip.com/ie/what-to...led-or-delayed

Ludo

Springfields wrote: »

Our holiday company will only refund if it's a 'do not travel' advice..would imagine most would be the same. Aer lingus allowing you to change flights to other areas free of charge...they will all do their level best not to refund if they can avoid

AA travel insurance seem to accept a "non-essential" travel warning from the DFA as grounds for a claim.
See here: https://www.theaa.ie/blog/aa-travel-insurance-coronavirus-faq/

It is a little ambiguous but the section titled "An alert advising against travel to my destination has been issued. Can I make a travel insurance claim?" seems pretty clear.

gmisk

I am going to lose 240 for flights and 2.5k for hotel.

munchkin_utd

Ludo wrote: »

AA travel insurance seem to accept a "non-essential" travel warning from the DFA as grounds for a claim.
See here: https://www.theaa.ie/blog/aa-travel-insurance-coronavirus-faq/

It is a little ambiguous but the section titled "An alert advising against travel to my destination has been issued. Can I make a travel insurance claim?" seems pretty clear.

in the terms and conditions (which are what counts, the FAQ is just there as a user friendly help to navigate the actual terms) theres no direct mention of cancellation due to a government warning

In the exclusions applicable to the whole policy, they " will not pay for claims arising directly or indirectly from:"

Your travel to a country or specific area or event to which a government agency in the Republic of Ireland, the travel advice unit of the department of Foreign Affairs* or the World Health Organisation (WHO) or similar body has advised against all or all but essential travel. *

in the trip cancellation section, one exclusion is "Any claim resulting from the delay or amendment of your booked trip because of Government action or restrictive regulations."
https://www.theaa.ie/~/media/Files/AA-Ireland/Travel/AATravel-Val-PolicyBooklet-May18-v03-WEB.ashx?la=en

which contradicts what the FAQ says unless I am reading it wrong - or at least gives Axa insurance plenty of reasons to refuse a claim if they are minded to.

emeldc

I’m flying to the US this morning and I have never seen the airport as empty. Straight through security, no queues. No more than 20 people at preclearance.

Not in Kansas

emeldc wrote: »

I’m flying to the US this morning and I have never seen the airport as empty. Straight through security, no queues. No more than 20 people at preclearance.

Due to fly to NY next week with my husband and two teenagers. I'm torn. Seems by your observation a lot of people are deciding not to go to the US. It's a hard call to make. Even if we go I don't want us to remember the holiday for all the wrong reasons.

emeldc

Not in Kansas wrote: »

Due to fly to NY next week with my husband and two teenagers. I'm torn. Seems by your observation a lot of people are deciding not to go to the US. It's a hard call to make. Even if we go I don't want us to remember the holiday for all the wrong reasons.

These flights are usually fairly full, I’ll post back when I see if there are many empty seats. As far as I know there is only one case of the virus in Manhattan and she is in quarantine.

Johnny Sausage

Not in Kansas wrote: »

Due to fly to NY next week with my husband and two teenagers. I'm torn. Seems by your observation a lot of people are deciding not to go to the US. It's a hard call to make. Even if we go I don't want us to remember the holiday for all the wrong reasons.

i'm flying over on the 14th (via Philadelphia and train up) and not in the slightest bit worried,

honesltly youll be grand

Ms2011

We're due to fly to Orlando the first two weeks in August, I think by then things will either be a lot worse or alot better so might be easier to make any decisions.

gmisk

I would have no issue flying to most places atm.
But I can't really risk flying to northern Italy

odyssey06

munchkin_utd wrote: »

in the terms and conditions (which are what counts, the FAQ is just there as a user friendly help to navigate the actual terms) theres no direct mention of cancellation due to a government warning

In the exclusions applicable to the whole policy, they " will not pay for claims arising directly or indirectly from:"

in the trip cancellation section, one exclusion is "Any claim resulting from the delay or amendment of your booked trip because of Government action or restrictive regulations."
https://www.theaa.ie/~/media/Files/AA-Ireland/Travel/AATravel-Val-PolicyBooklet-May18-v03-WEB.ashx?la=en

which contradicts what the FAQ says unless I am reading it wrong - or at least gives Axa insurance plenty of reasons to refuse a claim if they are minded to.

I think that usually relates to immigration regulations e.g. if the US won't let you specifically in. Rather than government advising people in general not to travel.

Tenzor07

Friend just came back from the U.S this morning, New York.. Aircraft was pretty much full, the odd few people wearing surgical masks, everything fairly normal.

If I had flights booked and paid for to the U.S i'd still be going and not loose the money.

I have personally cancelled flights in and out of Malpensa and Bergamo this month, I won't get a refund apart from the taxes..

gmisk

Caranica wrote: »

Aer Lingus have been offering flight changes for a certain period afaik.

I'm due to go to Veneto region in 2.5 weeks. Flights, hotel and parking prepaid. Will start fight with travel insurance (AIB) tomorrow

Did you have any luck?
I had zero with aerlingus direct or with Allianz!

NORTH1

gmisk wrote: »

Ok so I am flying to Verona and staying in lake Garda in April.
Will aerlingus give me a refund now?
Will be calling hotel as well paid upfront....so I am guessing I can claim on insurance if they won't refund?

I was flying out to venice at the end of this month, flying back through Verona. Aer lingus have email to say the flights have been cancelled and my account has been refunded.

The hotels in the area i staying in, booked through Expedia ,are refusing to refund the payment, but is offering dates to be used by the end of the year. This is unacceptable to me as I can't get the time off later in the year. Expedia who I booked through, say there policy is to except the hotels policy on the matter.

I have Blue insurance, I will see if they will cover the hotel costs.

Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

testtech05

NORTH1 wrote: »

I was flying out to venice at the end of this month, flying back through Verona. Aer lingus have email to say the flights have been cancelled and my account has been refunded.

The hotels in the area i staying in, booked through Expedia ,are refusing to refund the payment, but is offering dates to be used by the end of the year. This is unacceptable to me as I can't get the time off later in the year. Expedia who I booked through, say there policy is to except the hotels policy on the matter.

I have Blue insurance, I will see if they will cover the hotel costs.

Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

I am due to travel mid April to Venice also, do you mind me asking did you request the cancellation 1st or have they cancelled the flight you were booked on?
I am just starting to look into options myself....

NORTH1

testtech05 wrote: »

I am due to travel mid April to Venice also, do you mind me asking did you request the cancellation 1st or have they cancelled the flight you were booked on?
I am just starting to look into options myself....

Aer lingus emailed to say the flights have been cancelled. I followed up with a call and they refunded the flights.

I also was waiting to see which route this issue was going to take.

lilmissprincess

Was meant to be going to Seattle over Easter, its somewhat in doubt now...

Captain Flaps

Due to travel to Geneva in July, hiking over the pass and then home from Milan about 10 days later, getting a bit worried at this stage. Mostly AirBNBs booked along the route so very likely we'll be out of pocket by a fair bit with those.