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It’s a strange time for us all. Most of us are quarantined, practicing social distance, and working from home. I don’t think it’s too dramatic to say that the coronavirus has changed a lot of our lives right now. It’s pretty much impossible to talk about travel right now without discussing the virus. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and unfortunately, we have a global pandemic on our hands.
Schools are closed and sporting and leisure events have been postponed for the foreseeable future. Even the Olympics have been rescheduled for next year. The Olympics y’all. This leaves many of us are wondering what will happen to our travel plans. Do we cancel them altogether? How do we get refunds? What about airfare? All of these are questions I have asked myself and I’m sure you have asked them as well.
If you’ve been Googling your life away trying to figure out how to deal with your upcoming travel plans, welcome to the club. In this post, I’m going to be diving deep and sharing with you everything I’ve done to deal with my travel cancellations and hopefully they can help you too.
Table of Contents
What the Heck is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Before we dive into the golden nuggets of travel cancellations, let’s first establish what the heck this thing is that’s causing so much havoc in our lives. Remember, knowledge is power people.
I’m clearly not in the medical profession and am not an expert on the subject. I’m just 30-something nerd with time on her hands. However, I’ve done some research to connect you with the CDC and World Health Organization who have been working diligently and know way more about the virus than I ever could. Along with the information below, I’ve also linked the credible sources that I got this information from.
According to the World Health Organization, coronavirus is actually a family of viruses that can cause illness. For example, did you know that SARS is also a type of coronavirus? Everything from the common cold to more severe infections. They are zoonotic, which means they are spread from animals to humans. In fact, there are a number of coronaviruses passing between animals that have not infected people yet.
However, COVID-19 is a specific, novel coronavirus that first appeared in Wuhan, China in 2019. It’s now caused a global pandemic of respiratory disease due to contact with people. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases it can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure.
What’s Happening Around the World
Clearly, COVID-19 is a global pandemic and affecting our whole world. NPR has reported that as of March 31st, The United States, China, Iran, and parts of Europe are the hot zones with the most reported confirmed cases. These countries include Italy and Spain. And as of April 1st, there have been 928,565 cases worldwide. Yikes.
Most countries have closed their borders and are on lockdown or have restricted public gatherings. Offices, events, and businesses around the world are closing their physical doors and allowing their employees to work from home if they are able.
Click here for a World Health Organization map of current reports, stats, and risk assessments for areas around the world with coronavirus cases.
For more information on COVID-19 around the world, check out these amazing resources:
What to do About Travel Cancellations
Everything that’s happening is heartbreaking. Sometimes, it’s hard to take it all in—which is completely understandable. Travel is the last thing many of us are thinking about. However, many of us had or have upcoming travel plans are we’re all unsure of what to do next. I’m right there with you. I had a couple of trips planned that had to be exchanged for staying at home.
The good news is that under these circumstances, major airlines and hotels are waiving change and cancellation fees. But even with this, things are a bit all over the place and each organization is doing something different. For example, some may give you a full refund, while others may issue an electronic reimbursement that can be used up to a year from the booking date.
The information is scattered and a hot mess. You might be overwhelmed just thinking about how on earth to reorganize your travels for the year. If that’s you, I’ve dug up all I could to help you figure out how to deal with your travel cancellations.
Know the Facts and Go to Each Company Directly
The first thing that helps when dealing with travel cancellations is to know the facts. For example, airlines have adjusted their flight schedules and some have even gone so far as to stop international flights. If you have an upcoming flight, the best thing to do would be to check that airline’s website to find out what their policies are at the moment.
If you’ve booked through a site like Expedia or Booking, still go to the direct source because they are the ones who create the actual cancellation policy. To make things a bit easier for you, I’ve put together a list below of what some major airlines and hotels are doing at the moment.
Airlines in the United States
American Airlines
Updated info:
American Airlines has suspended flights to Milan, Rome, Barcelona, and others. They’ve also reduced services to Paris and Madrid throughout May and June. For more info on changes to their flight schedule, click here.
Change Policy:
Change fees have been waived for customers who bought tickets before March 1, 2020 for travel through May 31. This also includes booked trips between March 1 and April 30. If you cancel your trip, you may have to pay for the difference in ticket price when you rebook. For more information and travel updates with American Airlines, click here.
Delta
Updated info:
Delta is taking travel cancellations seriously. It has reduced its international operations by 80% for the next two to three months. The airline has restricted travel to Canada, Latin America, and Hawaii. Additionally Delta ha also reduced or suspended travel from the US to Europe and the UK. For a full, updated list of Delta’s travel restrictions click here.
Change Policy:
Delta has tweaked its flexibility for changing and canceling flights. If you bought a ticket between March 1 and April 15, you can adjust your ticket with no change fee for up to a year from the date you bought it. If you’d much rather cancel your ticket, you can do that as well. In exchange, you’ll get eCredit which you can use to get your new ticket. For more information, click here.
Southwest
Updated info:
Southwest has stopped flights to Cancun, Belize, Cabo San Lucas, Montego Bay and more with plans to resume them later in the year. For more information on their flight restrictions click here.
Change Policy:
Southwest Airlines has always made travel cancellations and changing your flights super easy. If you have a flight between now and April 30, you can change it for a date within 60 days of the original date without having to pay the fare difference.
You can cancel flights within 10 minutes before the departure. The funds used for the ticket can be used within one year of the purchase date. However, if you have funds that will expire between March 1and May 31, they will now expire on June 30, 2021. For more information on their coronavirus policies, click here.
United
Updated info:
United Airlines has cut 95% of its international and domestic travels. As of April 1, the airline has suspended all flights to Canada and reduced flights to Mexico. For more information on domestic and international schedules, click here.
Change Policy:
United has waived all change fees for tickets on or before March 2 for original travel dates between March 2 and May 31. The new ticket must be reissued by December 31 or within a year of the original purchase date.
If you book a flight by April 30th, you can change it for free within the next year. For more info on changing your ticket click here.
Spirit
Updated info:
Spirit Airlines has canceled most of its international services due to travel bans.
Change Policy:
Spirit has waived cancellation and change fees by offering full purchase credit when you cancel or change a flight. If you couldn’t cancel your trip before you were supposed to travel they are still honoring the request. Reservation credit shouldn’t take more than seven days to complete. The reservation credit is valid for booking within six months. You can reserve a flight for an additional six to nine months in the future. For more information, click here.
JetBlue
Updated info:
JetBlue has reduced its flights by 70%.
Change Policy:
JetBlue is waiving its cancellation and change fees for those traveling up to May 31, 2020. You may rebook your flights for travel through October 24 although fare differences may apply. If you cancel a flight, funds will be issued as JetBlue Travel Bank Credit that will be valid for 18 months from when it was issued.
JetBlue is also waiving cancellation and change fees for new bookings made between March 27th and April 30, 2020 of travel through October 24, 2020. Click here for more information on what JetBlue is doing.
European Airlines
When handling travel cancellations within Europe, please make sure you know your rights and the facts. If your flight is within the EU or operated by an EU or non-EU airline (like Norway or Switzerland) there is a rule you need to know about. It’s called EU Rule 261. This rule does not apply to flights from outside the EU to a destination within the EU. For more detailed information, check out this website.
The rule was passed in 2004 and protects passengers who have long delays, missed connections, or cancellations. The airline could be eligible for paying up to 600 euros. There are rumors that some airlines are trying to work around this rule, so please be aware. Check if your flight is covered by this rule before doing anything else.
Aer Lingus
Updated info:
Aer Lingus is operating on a reduced schedule within Europe and to North America. Flights between Ireland and the US will follow restrictions from the US Department of Homeland Security.
Change Policy:
If you are due to fly with them before May 31st, you can either change your flight without a fee or apply for a voucher. Vouchers will be for the full value of your flight, including taxes and fees. Click here for more information on Aer Lingus policies.
Air Europa
Updated info:
Air Europa has canceled flights to and from the US, Itlay, and Portugal from March 14th until April 30th.
Change Policy:
If you had plans to travel between March 1st and June 15th, Air Europa is offering either a change of date or route or a travel voucher. Changing your ticket is free, however, you will have to pay the difference in fare. The voucher can be used for future travel within the year that it is issued. Want more info? Click here.
British Airways
Change Policy:
British Airways is waiving their change fees for customers changing their destinations and travel dates for all new bookings made from March 3rd to May 31st, 2020. You are able to get a voucher for any existing bookings that depart up to May 31st.
Customers can also cancel their bookings for free and receive a travel voucher for the same value as the original ticket. The voucher can be used for future tickets and will be valid for up to a year. But you will have to pay any fare differences. For more info, check out their website here.
Iberia
Change Policy:
If you were set to fly within the month of March, you are eligible to exchange your ticket for a travel voucher. It will be worth the same amount and will be valid until March 31, 2021. You can also spend them on one or more flights.
Iberia is also allowing you to change your ticket for travel before March 31st, 2020 with exceptions for:
April 30 – May 2
July 1-August 15
October 9-12
December 4-9
December 19 – January 10
March 24 – March 31
All these dates are for the year 2021. Click here for more information.
Norwegian Air
Updated info:
If your flight is canceled, Norwegian Air will contact you through email or text.
Change Policy:
Norwegian Air is waiving rebooking fees for LowFare, LowFare +, and Premium tickets booked up to May 31, 2020. You are only allowed to rebook once and it must be done by November 30, 2020. Differences in flight prices will apply.
If your flight is canceled, you can request a refund or exchange for Norwegian’s digital currency called CashPoints. Those who choose CashPoints will also get an extra 20% off. Need more info? Click here.
Ryanair
Updated info:
Most flights have been grounded from March 24 onwards. If your flight has been canceled Ryanair will notify you through email.
Change Policy:
Ryanair has waived all change fees for the month of April. Customers do have to pay any difference in fare. For more information, click here.
Accommodation
Airbnb
Change Policy:
Airbnb is making travel cancellations a breeze. Customers can cancel both reservations and Airbnb Experiences made before March 14, 2020 with a check-in dates between March 14 and March 31, 2020. Hosts can also change bookings made for their place without charge. Airbnb will either give you a refund or travel credit. You must show proper documentation and proof of reservation.
Airbnb Host cancellation policies will apply for reservations made after March 14, 2020. For more info, click here. Check out this link for instructions on how to cancel a booking.
Hilton Hotels
Updated info:
Hilton Hotels have adjusted their cancellation policies.
Change Policy:
Guests with existing reservations that are scheduled for arrival on or before June 30, 2020 can change their reservation or cancel them for no charge. You can cancel or change up to 24 hours before the arrival day.
Guests with new reservations that are made from now until June 20, 2020 can also change or cancel their booking for no fee. More information? Click here.
Hyatt Hotels
Updated info:
Hyatt hotels are adjusting their policies to allow for customer’s flexibility.
Change Policy:
All reservations that have been booked on and before April 1, 2020 for arrivals through June 30, 2020 can be canceled with no fee for up to 24 hours before your arrival to the hotel. This does not include reservations made after April 1 at Destination Residences or Special Events Rate reservations. Click here for more information.
Marriot
Change Policy:
Guests with reservations can change or cancel their reservation free of charge as long as the change or cancellation is made by June 30, 2020.
Mariott is also allowing guests to change or cancel new reservations between today and June 30, 2020. For more info, click here.
Buses and Trains (US Only)
Greyhound
Change Policy:
Greyhound is making it pretty simple for everyone. They are reissuing tickets with no change fee. (Please know that this is one-time only) You can also exchange your ticket for an eVoucher at no extra cost. This applies to those who have booked Economy or Economy Extra for travel through May 31, 2020. Your new travel arrangements must be completed by the end of the year. For more info, check out their website.
BoltBus
Updated info:
BoltBus is cutting back its services. They have completed suspended service in Corvallis Oregon, Vancouver Canada, and Wilmington Delaware.
Change Policy:
BoltBus is giving a one-time reissue of tickets if you booked a non-refundable ticket through May 31, 2020. This new ticket must be used by December 31, 2020.
Customers can also redeem an e-voucher to be used one year within the issued date and if the ticket was originally issued directly from BoltBus. Need more info on BoltBus’ coronavirus policies? Click here and here.
MegaBus
Updated info:
MegaBus has suspended some routes and services through April 30th to cities like Philadelphia, California, Chicago, and more.
Change Policy:
If you have booked a trip on or before April 3, 2020 for travel before April 30, 2020 you can reschedule for free for dates between March 20 and September 8, 2020. Click here for MegaBus’ rescheduling policies.
Amtrack
Updated info:
Amtrak is reducing service to certain areas and cities like the Northeast (Boston, New York, DC area), California, North Carolina, and more.
Change Policy:
Amtrak is waiving their change fees for bookings made before May 31, 2020. You may have to pay the difference in fare. You might be able to cancel your ticket altogether but have to speak to an agent and call the customer service number for more information on that click here.
Take Action
Whew. I don’t know about you but after all of that information, I need a big ‘ol bowl of ice cream and a nap. But we’re not done yet. As you can see, every company and their policies are different. And this is exactly why the second step to dealing with travel cancellations is to take action.
Don’t expect any airline, hotel, or booking company to contact you—even if they say they will. If you ever want to see your money again or finally go on the trip you’ve planned, it’s up to you to make it happen. It’s up to you to read their policies and take the steps to get your ticket exchange or refund.
For example, on my gym’s website, it states that they have frozen billing during this time and we will not be charged. But do you think I’m going to believe that without checking? Heck no. I went into my account to double-check that this was indeed happening.
Try to have a paper trail. Take screenshots. Send emails. Write down the date and time that you called their customer service. Honestly, sometimes it just takes one customer service agent with a heart to help you get from point A to point B. This is a hectic time for all of us, so just remember to be patient and kind. A little bit goes a long way.
Stay Up-to-Date
My third and final tip for dealing with travel cancellations is to stay up to date. This one is pretty simple. Travel bans and updates seem to be unpredictable and changing from day to day. That is why it’s important for you to stay up-to-date on the latest information.
Make sure to check the news and read articles about the newest travel bans so you know what’s going on. Times are unprecedented and tough for all of us now. If there’s an airline ticket you desperately need a refund for, check that airline’s website and social media every couple of days.
Share your recent travel cancellations in the comments below. Maybe we’re in the same boat. PLEASE STAY SAFE!
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