Debating about canceling euro trip in May

[cypher1]

I just flew from msp to lax last night to visit friends this week.i was curious of how many more people would be wearing masks at either airport. Surprisingly very few at lax, and they were mostly the elderly. But it could have been less busy around 8pm, though.

[scfr]

My DH had another trip to Asia scheduled for April. It has been cancelled. Non-refundable ticket - oh well, not a major deal for us. He has saved a lot more over the years buying the least expensive tickets he can get.

It must be a tough time to be working in the travel industry. I really feel for the flight attendants, hotel & convention hall workers, etc.

[disneysteve]

My DH had another trip to Asia scheduled for April. It has been cancelled. Non-refundable ticket

Was this for business? If his job cancelled the trip, aren't they responsible for the travel costs?

Or was this a personal trip? In that case, who made the cancellation decision?

[disneysteve]

It must be a tough time to be working in the travel industry. I really feel for the flight attendants, hotel & convention hall workers, etc.

Airport crews, mechanics, baggage handlers, shuttle and taxi and Uber/Lyft drivers, restaurant owners and staff, tourist attraction employees... the list goes on and on. As I've said, the economic impact of this outbreak is only just beginning to be appreciated. Disney announced today/yesterday that the Tokyo Disneyland resort is closing for at least 2 weeks. That's in addition to Shanghai and Hong Kong which have now been shuttered for over a month.

The FDA has already identified at least 20 medications that are sourced/manufactured primarily in China. If you think people are panicking now, just wait until they aren't able to refill their prescriptions when the current supply runs out.

And yet there are still people who think this is fake news and media hysteria.

[scfr]

Was this for business? If his job cancelled the trip, aren't they responsible for the travel costs?

Or was this a personal trip? In that case, who made the cancellation decision?

All costs fall on the business owner (my DH).
He was to attend a trade show with clients who are no longer willing to go. And if I were a betting woman I'd bet that the show will be cancelled anyway.
As I said, it's not a big deal for us personally and over the years he/we have benefitted from his very frugal travel choices. You win some, you lose some, and hopefully you win more than you lose.

But as I said, I feel for those whose jobs depend on people travelling and being willing to enter crowded venues to conduct business or have fun.

[disneysteve]

All costs fall on the business owner (my DH).

Ah, that makes sense. So the employer is responsible, except he IS the employer.

[Like2Plan]

My DH had another trip to Asia scheduled for April. It has been cancelled. Non-refundable ticket - oh well, not a major deal for us. He has saved a lot more over the years buying the least expensive tickets he can get.

It must be a tough time to be working in the travel industry. I really feel for the flight attendants, hotel & convention hall workers, etc.

Maybe you can get a refund from the airline-if they haven't already relaxed some of their rules--then wait and see and check again closer to the departure time.

[~bs]

My DH had another trip to Asia scheduled for April. It has been cancelled. Non-refundable ticket - oh well, not a major deal for us. He has saved a lot more over the years buying the least expensive tickets he can get.

It must be a tough time to be working in the travel industry. I really feel for the flight attendants, hotel & convention hall workers, etc.

last resort. file chargeback with credit card company

[Like2Plan]

I have read that British Airways is reducing their service to Europe in the new term due to customer demand. et'c. https://simpleflying.com/british-air...concern-grows/ (Flight schedule change might be a reason to get a refund. )

My airline has not made any announcements regarding their Atlantic schedule (I'm still about 3 weeks out). Paris is my 1st stop. But, I read that the Louvre is closed (no telling for how long) and "all public gatherings of more than 5,000 people be canceled" in France. But, Disneyland Paris is still open (so far). https://www.foxnews.com/travel/coron...remaining-open So, I am still wait and see...

[Like2Plan]

I have noticed there are a couple of countries that are instituting 2 week quarantine upon arrival.

For the UK--it is if you traveled into certain areas:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk

For Israel--it is for anyone entering the country:

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/09/813725832/coronavirus-israel-will-require-quarantine-for-everyone-entering-country

[~bs]

looks like that decision is being made for you!

[cypher1]

looks like that decision is being made for you!

Yep, trip was supposed to be 8 weeks from today. Oh well, let's see how this turns out 30 days from now. Not betting on it though.

[rennigade]

Yep, trip was supposed to be 8 weeks from today. Oh well, let's see how this turns out 30 days from now. Not betting on it though.

Was your trip cancelled? We're 10 weeks out from flying from philly to zurich switzerland...then we're headed down to Italy. Im hoping things are under control. We'd still like to go but its not looking promising.

If Italy is still a disaster we may stay in Switzerland (if its good to go) and book new flights home from there.

[cypher1]

Was your trip cancelled? We're 10 weeks out from flying from philly to zurich switzerland...then we're headed down to Italy. Im hoping things are under control. We'd still like to go but its not looking promising.

If Italy is still a disaster we may stay in Switzerland (if its good to go) and book new flights home from there.

Not yet. Itinerary: flying from MN to Iceland (Icelandair), from there to Budapest (Wizz Air), then come back from Prague (Condor) to MN (layover in Frankfurt).

I'm expecting the euro ban/level 3 (for the countries) will remain after the initial 30 day. But gonna wait till then to see about canceling (i'd still have just under 4 weeks to cancel). Right now I've been hearing the wait time for canceling/rerouting with airlines has been a nightmare. Plus I booked Iceland flight with Chase Rewards Points ($430 value), so I may take a hit on all of those flights (another $600 out of pocket for the other 2). So while I'm ok with a loss, I'm in no hurry to take it just yet.

Rennigade, unless you can get a full refund back from your trips, I'd probably say wait it out another month before canceling. But then again, its whatever you and your party's comfort level is.

[Like2Plan]

My departure flight was scheduled on the 25th of March (I was flying out of Dulles on United). They rearranged all the flights last night because they are reducing their schedule to CDG after 20 March. I called this morning and was on hold for about an hour (the automated announcement said to expect a 2 hour hold, so that was a win). Since they had to make a significant change to my departure time, I was able to get a refund.