Travel News - Coronavirus Advisory

[Wade J VanGinkel]

I just returned from costa rica this evening. Just got home. Haven't watched the news much but the people there are relatively unconcerned at this point. Hand sanitizer everywhere but the stores are still full with no panic.
I work in a grocery store here and it's completely destroyed every day.
Back to work in the morning

 

[Dee S]

Man if I have to cancel mine and my granddaughter’s trip, I’ll lose a lot! Airfares are paid, deposits are paid...ugh!

Two words..... TRIP INSURANCE......well worth the money....I always buy it, and for many reasons......

 

[Mark R]

Not sure your trip insurance will help in a pandemic, certainly most travel insurance wont??

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[Red Leg]

Not sure your trip insurance will help in a pandemic, certainly most travel insurance wont??

Cheers,
Mark.

That is exactly correct. Bacteria and virus related losses have been explicit exceptions in all sorts of insurance related contracts since the SARS scare.

 

[Shootist43]

Red Leg you just made my day. Ever since hearing that my Red Stag hunt in Argentina was a no-go I've been kicking myself in the rump for not buying trip insurance. Now I'm glad that I didn't.

 

[Dee S]

It covers the cost that you have already spent in case you have to cancel the trip. It's not just for medical events. Some of them include 'cancel for any reason' and if it's not included, you can usually add it. But most of the better ones include cancellation for reasons beyond your control. This would be one of those reasons. So for my policy, I have put down a deposit to my PH, I have paid for airfare, and I have paid for a lounge in Doha on the layover. These expenses would be covered should I cancel my trip. I'd be out the cost of the insurance, which was about $140. The real reason I always buy the insurance is in case I, or a someone traveling with me, would need to be medically evacuated or in case of death, would get me/them/the body back home, up to a million dollars.
You see on the web or tv all the time where some millennial was in some exotic location and fell off a cliff trying to get that perfect selfie, then the family starts a go fund me page to help get the body back to the USA. Travel insurance .....it's cheap

Looking at my policy for the upcoming trip....

Travel Guard Plus
Product Code:

SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS
Maximum Limit Per Person
Trip Cancellation.................................................................................... Trip Cost up to a maximum of $100,000
Trip Interruption .............................................................up to 150% of Trip Cost up to a maximum of $150,000
Trip Interruption-Return Air Only.............................................................$1,000
Trip Delay .............................................................(Maximum of $200 per day)to a maximum of $1,000
Missed Connection..................................................................................$1,000
Baggage & Personal Effects .................................................................. $2,500
Baggage Delay ..........................................................................................$400
Accident Sickness Medical Expense..............................................$100,000*
Dental...................................................................................................$500
Physical Therapy ............................................................................. $2,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains........................................................... $1,000,000*
Escort Maximum ...........................................................................$25,000
Accidental Death & Dismemberment ..................................................$50,000
Extra Coverage
(when the insurance plan is purchased within 21 days of Initial Trip Payment)
•
Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver
Additional Coverage
The following will be included if elected and appropriate costs have been paid.
Cancel For Any Reason.......................... 50% or 75% of insured Trip Cost
(Can only be purchased at the time the base plan is purchased and within 21

 

[Red Leg]

It covers the cost that you have already spent in case you have to cancel the trip. It's not just for medical events. Some of them include 'cancel for any reason' and if it's not included, you can usually add it. But most of the better ones include cancellation for reasons beyond your control. This would be one of those reasons. So for my policy, I have put down a deposit to my PH, I have paid for airfare, and I have paid for a lounge in Doha on the layover. These expenses would be covered should I cancel my trip. I'd be out the cost of the insurance, which was about $140. The real reason I always buy the insurance is in case I, or a someone traveling with me, would need to be medically evacuated or in case of death, would get me/them/the body back home, up to a million dollars.
You see on the web or tv all the time where some millennial was in some exotic location and fell off a cliff trying to get that perfect selfie, then the family starts a go fund me page to help get the body back to the USA. Travel insurance .....it's cheap

Looking at my policy for the upcoming trip....

Travel Guard Plus
Product Code:

SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS
Maximum Limit Per Person
Trip Cancellation.................................................................................... Trip Cost up to a maximum of $100,000
Trip Interruption .............................................................up to 150% of Trip Cost up to a maximum of $150,000
Trip Interruption-Return Air Only.............................................................$1,000
Trip Delay .............................................................(Maximum of $200 per day)to a maximum of $1,000
Missed Connection..................................................................................$1,000
Baggage & Personal Effects .................................................................. $2,500
Baggage Delay ..........................................................................................$400
Accident Sickness Medical Expense..............................................$100,000*
Dental...................................................................................................$500
Physical Therapy ............................................................................. $2,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains........................................................... $1,000,000*
Escort Maximum ...........................................................................$25,000
Accidental Death & Dismemberment ..................................................$50,000
Extra Coverage
(when the insurance plan is purchased within 21 days of Initial Trip Payment)
•
Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver
Additional Coverage
The following will be included if elected and appropriate costs have been paid.
Cancel For Any Reason.......................... 50% or 75% of insured Trip Cost
(Can only be purchased at the time the base plan is purchased and within 21

I always use trip insurance as well. In your policy, you apparently can opt for 50% or 75% "for any reason" coverage depending which level you selected. I, nevertheless, would urge you to call your agent and insure "any reason" includes a pandemic. Obviously recovering half or three quarters of your investment beats zero, but you are not fully protected.

 

[MarkB]

My non hunting accompanying sisters insurance does cover this scenario, however mine does not. Dam that fine print, no worry I paid with Avion points. Still in denial that I am not going, 24 May is still time for somewhat return of normally. If Canada is still closed end May there will be huge larger issues on a world scale.

MB

 

[Wheels]

Two words..... TRIP INSURANCE......well worth the money....I always buy it, and for many reasons......

You may want to check the Force Majeure clause in your policy.

 

[Dee S]

I'm not worried about it actually, I don't have that much money at stake. Paid a $500 deposit to the PH, which he will probably refund if we cancel but I will probably tell him to keep it and we'll reschedule for the future. The two plane tickets on Qatar, I can't remember if I get a full or partial refund if I cancel on those regardless of the virus, but I do know that on the Qatar website, they are offering full refund or reschedule with no fees/penalties. And the lounge fee, I think was around $50 each. No big loss there if I don't get that refunded.
I actually looked online yesterday to see what the prices were for flights into Johannesburg in May and Qatar no longer showed as an airline option. Last time I checked on Qatar, about a week ago, the plane we are supposed to be on is only about 1/4 booked. And I may be wrong, but I think all flights from the country of Qatar have been banned from going into Johannesburg?
More questions/rumors/conjecture than facts these days.

EDITED,,,,just pulled this from the Qatar Air website

Service alterations
Passengers from all destinations served by Qatar Airways can still travel with the airline and transit through Hamad International Airport, subject to entry restrictions at their final destination.

However, because of the operational challenges faced due to Covid-19 (coronavirus) we have altered or cancelled some of our services.

If you are affected, you can re-book your ticket to alternative dates or destinations, or opt to receive a voucher for future travel, valid for one year from its issuance date. This policy applies to all tickets issued anytime until 30 June 2020, for travel on or before the same date.

• If you have booked your ticket though a travel agent, please contact your travel agent to amend your booking or exchange your ticket for a future travel voucher.
• If you have booked your ticket on qatarairways.com or through any of our offices, you can re-book your tickets or exchange your ticket for a future travel voucher by telephoning any of our offices or contact centres.

If your flight is operating normally and you have booked or are planning to book tickets for travel up to 30 September 2020, but you wish to change your travel plans, you can alter your travel date free of charge, or exchange your ticket for a future travel voucher valid for one year, up to 3 days prior to departure. This includes award flights.

 

[flatwater bill]

I have received money from travel ins only once. My other two claims denied for fine print. Before you conclude that this is a great idea because it's "covered", check with others. You never know how good your insurance is until you need it. And many travel insurance companies make filing a claim correctly almost impossible administratively...................FWB

 

[Brent in Az]

https://www.kold.com/2020/03/18/wat...wont-cover-coronavirus-related-cancellations/

 

[Dlzbrg]

Made it to Arizona yesterday. There wasn’t many people in Johannesburg airport. Atlanta customs was a breeze nobody there but the people on are plane. Was through in about ten minutes. The plane from Atlanta to Phoenix was almost empty.

 

[Wheels]

Made it to Arizona yesterday. There wasn’t many people in Johannesburg airport. Atlanta customs was a breeze nobody there but the people on are plane. Was through in about ten minutes. The plane from Atlanta to Phoenix was almost empty.

View attachment 336976

I hate it when I pay for economy comfort and walk up to the departure gate to realize no one is on the plane and I can have an entire row.

Hope you were able to stretch out.

 

[cagkt3]

There is some talk of Corona Mutating..............I have seen it, and am ready.......FWB

View attachment 336561

I don't want to scare you....but it appears your Corona already mutated into a Heineken....

 

[CAustin]

And the finger pointing has started! State department says it is South Africa’s fault and South Africa says its US State Departments fault.

 

[Tanks]

View attachment 337408
And the finger pointing has started! State department says it is South Africa’s fault and South Africa says its US State Departments fault.

In reality it is the airline's and the passengers' fault. Airline should never have let a US citizen board the plane to RSA and the passenger should not have attempted it. That border had been closed to US citizens for a week now.

 

[CAustin]

In reality it is the airline's and the passengers' fault. Airline should never have let a US citizen board the plane to RSA and the passenger should not have attempted it. That border had been closed to US citizens for a week now.

The problem is that as of Thursday the US State website, according to article, still listed South Africa as no Visa required!

 

[Tanks]

Well, technically still no Visa required.

Also, I take several international trips a year (obviously on hold now). To this date I have never used the State department as a resource. They are woefully inadequate and just provide very general information. I go to the source countries or people living there for information.

 

[BRICKBURN]

When did this supposed incident occur?
The day it was announced while in transit?

It's not about a VISA.
US citizens were banned from entry to the RSA by their President. Period.


If it was indeed March 20, then the airline and the passenger need to give their heads a shake.

MARCH 19, 2020 Announcement from the US State Department.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html#.XnPHGUBrXPM.twitter