Delta Airlines News

[Ridge Runner]

Unfortunately for all of us with airline tickets on canceled flights we will be told to rebook, rather than receive any refund.

For no other reason than the airline companies are retaining our money to pay their wages and bills.

That's why years ago airline companies changed from refundable to nonrefundable tickets.

Nonrefundable tickets boosted travel insurance; Again we gave travel insurance companies our money, expecting/hoping to never need it; Suddenly more policy holders were filing claims and the free money these travel insurance companies were receiving started leaving their pockets; Thus the often hidden legal loophole phrases insurance companies put in their policies to avoid paying policy holder claims. Policy holders MUST INSURE the policy of their travel insurance reads "for any reason", and not rely what the agent said!

Especially as hunters, full costs trip travelers insurance, with "for any reason" clause policy should be a necessity, may cost a bit more, but in situations like the one we are now in, it pays. (eventually and maybe with a little grief on the policy holder's part). But recouping a little of our hard earned money is better than losing it all.

I have heard how several people had not purchased any trip/travel insurance, or found out the hard way their "cheaper" policy was money wasted.

Take it as my 2 cents.

I have full trip costs policy that included "for any reason", that allows me to recoup my SAA ticket costs (Johannesburg to PE and return). My outfitter is carrying over my fully prepaid hunt to 2021 (hopefully this miss will be over by May of next year).

 

[Tanks]

...

Especially as hunters, full costs trip travelers insurance, with "for any reason" clause policy should be a necessity, may cost a bit more, but in situations like the one we are now in, it pays. (eventually and maybe with a little grief on the policy holder's part). But recouping a little of our hard earned money is better than losing it all.

I have heard how several people had not purchased any trip/travel insurance, or found out the hard way their "cheaper" policy was money wasted.

Take it as my 2 cents.

I have full trip costs policy that included "for any reason", that allows me to recoup my SAA ticket costs (Johannesburg to PE and return). My outfitter is carrying over my fully prepaid hunt to 2021 (hopefully this miss will be over by May of next year).

If you have the right credit card then it comes with travel insurance as well as coverage on charges not honored. So, no need to pay for trip insurance.

I already called "Chase Premier" in regards to SAA portions of my flights and I am fully covered. Turkish Airlines refunds in full including the 2 free Business "legs" vouchers I get each year.

Now, rerouting is going to cost me for round trip going business because I was getting outbound free with vouchers and the return with miles. Emirates I will have to pay full price for business tickets which is around $6K or so.

If Zim does not open up or Emirates does not fly, per my contract with my outfitter I am due for a refund. I will just go ahead and reschedule to next year and most likely add an elephant to my leopard/buffalo hunt at that time.

 

[cpr0312]

If Zim does not open up or Emirates does not fly, per my contract with my outfitter I am due for a refund. I will just go ahead and reschedule to next year and most likely add an elephant to my leopard/buffalo hunt at that time.

That add on will certainly be worth the wait!!!

 

[Hogpatrol]

More Delta news, discontinuing flights to ten U.S. airports.

“These changes will allow more of our frontline employees to minimize their COVID-19 exposure risk while ensuring convenient access to Delta’s network for those who must travel,” Delta said in the announcement.

The affected airports include Chicago Midway (MDW), Oakland (OAK), Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), T.F. Green (PVD), Westchester County (HPN), Stewart (SWF), Akron-Canton (CAK), Manchester-Boston Regional (MHT) and Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF). Delta will also suspend service to Saskatoon International Airport in Saskatchewan, Canada.

 

[Ridge Runner]

If you have the right credit card then it comes with travel insurance as well as coverage on charges not honored. So, no need to pay for trip insurance.

I already called "Chase Premier" in regards to SAA portions of my flights and I am fully covered. Turkish Airlines refunds in full including the 2 free Business "legs" vouchers I get each year.

Now, rerouting is going to cost me for round trip going business because I was getting outbound free with vouchers and the return with miles. Emirates I will have to pay full price for business tickets which is around $6K or so.

If Zim does not open up or Emirates does not fly, per my contract with my outfitter I am due for a refund. I will just go ahead and reschedule to next year and most likely add an elephant to my leopard/buffalo hunt at that time.

Good points Tank, However: you say you dont have travel insurance, yet your credit card affords you certain travel insurance.

Some may use a credit card, some may use a credit/debit card to purchase their airfares. Not all bank issued credit cards are the "right credit card".

Lets hope that all clients and outfitters will survive this and future pandemics and all this chaos. However, some clients maybe in such a financial situation that requires the cancellation of their trip altogether. Perhaps indefinitely.

Some outfitters will refund 100% of the clients prepaid money, while other outfitters will retain a portion/percentage of the clients deposit or prepaid money.

My "bank" is a sort of one stop shop. Very few "banks" are. I'm covered for monetary losses and I purchased an add on health, dismemberment, accidental death and emegency evacuation coverage package. It also includes with limited coverage for extended travel delays and disruptions.

I am not in the insurance business, but trip/travel insurance should always be considered. Whether traveling across country or across the globe, and especially for those that have scrapped and saved over several years to make a special trip somewhere, then to run into problems, be it: health, travel, or political at home or abroad.

Travel insurance is an individual choice and should be considered based on the type of trip, not just costs.

I did use (and hope to continue to be in good standing with) Global Rescue. Although we did have and did resolve to mutual satisfaction a difference between us sometime ago. I would recommend Global Rescue to anyone that doesn't have a "one stop shop" financial institution such as one of the two I have.

I would highly recommend those who do travel to check their home owners or renters insurance policy to see what is and isn't covered, maybe a temporary policy upgrade. Check with your bank issued credit card for things like overseas usage fees, currency fees, and various interest charges, and limits of/on usage.

Check life/health insurance policies for domestic and international healthcare coverage and limits, and perhaps emergency evaluation can be temporarily added to it.

We have read or heard various stories from or about travelers/vacationers being in the wrong place at the wrong time getting sick, injured, stranded, or worse kidnapped, shot at by poachers and/or militants. Yet we continue to persevere in our wants to travel and vacation domestically and abroad.

Tank says, with contradiction, "no one really needs travel insurance ". I agree, with reservations, that travel insurance should always be considered.

 

[Tanks]

Good points Tank, However: you say you dont have travel insurance, yet your credit card affords you certain travel insurance...

Tank says, with contradiction, "no one really needs travel insurance ". I agree, with reservations, that travel insurance should always be considered.

Parsing my words. Let me clarify. I should have said "additionally purchased Travel Insurance". I have Global Rescue , but for their main medical evacuation than their "Trip Insurance" plans. I looked into it and it would have cost me several thousand dollars for 100% refund on everything.

So, I did my due diligence. Using an outfitter that refunds 100% of your fees in case the hunt does not happen (airlines don't fly, hunt area closed to hunting etc.). Using a credit card with travel benefits (travel insurance), and purchase protection so if an airline like SAA defaults I have a recourse. Getting business class tickets from an airline like Turkish Airlines, Emirates etc. that have a history of taking care of their customers.

There are tons of options there for people without having to buy separate travel insurance. Caveat Emptor.

 

[CAustin]

I was very much looking forward, to flying the reconfigured Delta One Suite on the 777 Flight 200 and 201. Will have to look for more options next year when trying to get to Namibia.

 

[ToddG]

I was scheduled to fly Kansas City to JNB on May 25th. When Delta canceled the flight we requested a refund and that is what we received.

 

[Tanks]

I was very much looking forward, to flying the reconfigured Delta One Suite on the 777 Flight 200 and 201. Will have to look for more options next year when trying to get to Namibia.

Yeah, that was intriguing however Emirates First Class is similar and in the same price range I think. In suite showers are amazing.
https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/experience/cabin-features/first-class/

 

[Samb]

Looks like it will be the A350.
https://apple.news/A0n-QoL3mRgKTriNLCzMPbA

 

[flatwater bill]

Related topic: Avianca.....second largest air carrier in S. America filed for bankruptcy last week. Although am more interested in Africa, I usually fly to South America 2-3 times per year for dove hunting and fishing. Air travel to any destination now worries me more than on the ground logistics...Population experts expected about 60 million deaths world wide from all causes in 2020. That's normal death rate. That's before Covid 19. Now, that will be revised to maybe 62 million. Currently, there are under 400,000 deaths , so maybe we won't exceed 61 million. Point is, it is not as if this disease is doubling or tripling world wide deaths as the media frenzy would have us believe.................FWB

 

[Mike B.]

For anyone that canceled their flight on their own and tried to request a refund, that was a bad move unfortunately. You should have waited until the airline cancels your flight. In the US, airlines are required by law to refund flight costs if the airline cancels or if there are substantial delays. I don't have the link handy at the moment to show this but you can easily Google it. The sad part is the airlines are making it difficult to find and request refunds. Delta is being sued right now because of this. My flight to Johannesburg in June was just canceled and I do expect to get a refund in the next 30 days. My mom used sky miles for the same flight and that was already refunded to her account after a call to Delta today.

Whatever you do though, if you get an email that says your flight is canceled and a voucher was issued, and it gives you a link to click to accept the voucher, do not accept it. Just exit out and request your refund from their website. Once you accept the voucher it will be difficult to get the refund. This seems to be another sly ploy by Delta to keep from having to pay refunds.

 

[spike.t]

Think delta will probably convert some 350 orders to the long range version....

https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/news/en/2018/09/ultra-long-range-a350-xwb-goes-the-distance.html

 

[CAustin]

For anyone that canceled their flight on their own and tried to request a refund, that was a bad move unfortunately. You should have waited until the airline cancels your flight. In the US, airlines are required by law to refund flight costs if the airline cancels or if there are substantial delays. I don't have the link handy at the moment to show this but you can easily Google it. The sad part is the airlines are making it difficult to find and request refunds. Delta is being sued right now because of this. My flight to Johannesburg in June was just canceled and I do expect to get a refund in the next 30 days. My mom used sky miles for the same flight and that was already refunded to her account after a call to Delta today.

Whatever you do though, if you get an email that says your flight is canceled and a voucher was issued, and it gives you a link to click to accept the voucher, do not accept it. Just exit out and request your refund from their website. Once you accept the voucher it will be difficult to get the refund. This seems to be another sly ploy by Delta to keep from having to pay refunds.

I cancelled my flight this week with no problem. Like your mom I had used miles to buy the ticket. I got no argument from the Delta Diamond Desk and they said the cash fees I had paid would be refunded in 30 days. As previously mentioned I was really looking forward to the Delta One Seating that had been installed on the 777 but I understand that the A350 which will now service the route has that type seating. So hope springs eternal and maybe next year.

 

[Dee S]

Qatar canceled our flights that were scheduled last week and gave us a full refund.
I had heard, before the pandemic, that Delta was looking at phasing out the 777 in favor of the Airbus, so that wasn't a shocker.
And I've always bought travel insurance, not for a pandemic, but to get me back to the states in case of an emergency illness, death, etc. I have CANCEL FOR ANY REASON insurance on my next trip, and if you only cover what you've already spent, then it's not bad. My policy refunds 75% of expenses spent, so for my trip that's $2000 so far. CFAR insurance was $170, to include all of the other medical, theft, damage, etc. To each their own, but for me, it's worth it. I just read too many stories of people getting killed by accident or having an emergency illness while overseas and then the family has the costs and legal issues of getting that person back home. Too much headache for my loved ones to deal with.

 

[enysse]

@Tanks, Emirates is a great airline. I flew with them last year. They will be at the top of my list too now due to their excellent service. The gun permit is easy to fill out.

 

[markm]

I try not to fly any delta flights anymore would rather walk

More Delta news, discontinuing flights to ten U.S. airports.

“These changes will allow more of our frontline employees to minimize their COVID-19 exposure risk while ensuring convenient access to Delta’s network for those who must travel,” Delta said in the announcement.

The affected airports include Chicago Midway (MDW), Oakland (OAK), Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), T.F. Green (PVD), Westchester County (HPN), Stewart (SWF), Akron-Canton (CAK), Manchester-Boston Regional (MHT) and Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF). Delta will also suspend service to Saskatoon International Airport in Saskatchewan, Canada.

 

[Tanks]

@Tanks, Emirates is a great airline. I flew with them last year. They will be at the top of my list too now due to their excellent service. The gun permit is easy to fill out.

Yeah, I just wish they were a part of Star Alliance.

 

[enysse]

I think this is the first time in awhile since Delta has faced great difficulties. They were selling their services out at ridiculous prices but now the wind of changes are happening. Now they can “rebrand” their services.

 

[Tucketed]

I think it’s funny how many on the board here hate Delta. Have you ever looked at the ratings of the top 10 US Airlines? I fly predominantly Delta with many long haul flights and a at least a couple hundred thousand miles per year, until this year. I shutter every time I book an American or United flight. Sure there are let downs and issues but such is life got to flow with it as lots of things in life. Look at the Wall Street graphic attached, I think you would be amazed at the large difference. https://graphics.wsj.com/dynamic-in...les/3c928058-b857-43d3-87db-6c7bd82ecc1e.json