MissTravel
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 19, 2020
Hi, I am relatively new to disboards.
I proactively cancelled a trip. The travel company initially (not ABD,) would not cancel or agree to reschedule. They assured me that their people on the ground knew the situation and were monitoring events. The rep also told me via telephone that if anything happened, they would assist me if I were to get stuck. Eventually, with encouragement, they did offer a partial credit.
The day I would have landed, the airport closed and I would have been stuck on my own nickel; travel insurance never covers pandemics.
I am aware many companies would not even bother to offer me a partial credit since I was proactive; and yes I am aware they are fighting for their financial solvency. However, this has left a bad taste in my mouth for group travel via a company. I am deciding whether I would even be willing to use my credit (worth thousands).
Is anyone else discouraged from future group travel?
In retrospect, should I have held on to the last possible moment (I canceled 2 weeks before travel) to force them to cancel it themselves? Would they have even done so?
I have never cancelled a trip -- was a partial credit reasonable under these circumstances?
Which, if any, tour companies (including ABD) have enhanced their refund policies to encourage travel? Can anyone briefly provide details?
Which tour companies have had great refund/cancellation practices even before Covid times?
I hope I do not sound too whiny. I still have my health, my job, and personal safety. The loss of funds hurt, but I am perfectly solvent and able to afford future travel. I am aware not everyone is able to say these things at this time. However, I have always booked group travel because I thought it would be safer and better managed than what I could do on my own. I am thinking lately this is not necessarily the case.
Thanks to all of you (and DISboards) for providing me space to discuss.
I proactively cancelled a trip. The travel company initially (not ABD,) would not cancel or agree to reschedule. They assured me that their people on the ground knew the situation and were monitoring events. The rep also told me via telephone that if anything happened, they would assist me if I were to get stuck. Eventually, with encouragement, they did offer a partial credit.
The day I would have landed, the airport closed and I would have been stuck on my own nickel; travel insurance never covers pandemics.
I am aware many companies would not even bother to offer me a partial credit since I was proactive; and yes I am aware they are fighting for their financial solvency. However, this has left a bad taste in my mouth for group travel via a company. I am deciding whether I would even be willing to use my credit (worth thousands).
Is anyone else discouraged from future group travel?
In retrospect, should I have held on to the last possible moment (I canceled 2 weeks before travel) to force them to cancel it themselves? Would they have even done so?
I have never cancelled a trip -- was a partial credit reasonable under these circumstances?
Which, if any, tour companies (including ABD) have enhanced their refund policies to encourage travel? Can anyone briefly provide details?
Which tour companies have had great refund/cancellation practices even before Covid times?
I hope I do not sound too whiny. I still have my health, my job, and personal safety. The loss of funds hurt, but I am perfectly solvent and able to afford future travel. I am aware not everyone is able to say these things at this time. However, I have always booked group travel because I thought it would be safer and better managed than what I could do on my own. I am thinking lately this is not necessarily the case.
Thanks to all of you (and DISboards) for providing me space to discuss.