Travel Changes?

[neurosx1983]

If something happens while you are actually on your trip and your itinerary changes (like you can't get into France) ABD absolutely pays for the new accommodations. I know several people whose Japan trips and China trips were affected by bad weather, and changing the flights, changing transportation, changing hotels, setting up alternative activities, etc, was all handled by ABD and was seamless & transparent to the Guests (well, except for the fact that they weren't where they expected to be). That's definitely one of the pluses of traveling with a company like ABD.

(And actually, this would all be true if something happens *before* your trip leaves, too).

Sayhello

I actually totally agree with this. I think if something happens DURING a trip, you wouldn't want to be with anyone other than ABD.
One of our guides in Italy told us a story of a group on the London/Paris trip where the eurostar had broken down the day they were to go to France. Disney arranged for a private jet to take them to Paris instead.

So yes, with actual emergencies I think they would be great. My problem with them now is that there actually is a crisis going on and they're STILL going through with a trip. That's negligent in my opinion.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Yes, I'm not terribly optimistic that we are going to be able to make the trip. DD is going to be really disappointed, but at least she has seen both schools so won't have to make a blind decision.

On the other hand, Japan seems to be doing quite a good job with containment, so I am cautiously optimistic that we'll still be going there in June.

The situation in Italy is just so so sad...

Totally agree about Japan. They seem to have done a great job. It would be such a bummer to have to cancel the Games as well. I bet they also haven't had runs on TP I told my husband this is the excuse we need to get one of those toilets, LOL.

The Italy situation is almost unbelievable. So terrible and sad. I found out a friend of mine has an elderly uncle there who has died. Heart goes out to all involved.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I actually totally agree with this. I think if something happens DURING a trip, you wouldn't want to be with anyone other than ABD.
One of our guides in Italy told us a story of a group on the London/Paris trip where the eurostar had broken down the day they were to go to France. Disney arranged for a private jet to take them to Paris instead.

So yes, with actual emergencies I think they would be great. My problem with them now is that there actually is a crisis going on and they're STILL going through with a trip. That's negligent in my opinion.

I agree with you on this. I had a situation on our China ABD that they didn't handle well (it had to do with a typhoon projected to hit HK the day our trip was ending -- most of us know they count departure day as an ABD day). So while I have confidence about how they handle things while the trip is going on, I know from past experience that once they say 'bye' to you the night before departure day, they are of no assistance at all. That includes both the guides and the 1-800 emergency number they provide you with. On our December Peru ABD Rudy didn't show up for our departure (he said he would); our luggage wasn't brought down and the front desk didn't have breakfast boxes for dd and I -- they said ABD didn't order them). I was able to get things sorted out, but it delayed our bus to the airport by at least 20 minutes (and held up the 3 other families that were on the same bus) -- it probably would've taken much less time if Rudy had come down; Ken, the other guide, left the night before. I don't know why they consider this the last day when they sent a guide home before the trip is technically over, but I digress.

I am so sorry that they haven't cancelled your trip yet. I am both shocked and saddened at how they are handling it.

I called Quark this morning regarding moving our early June trip to next year and was told that wasn't possible. They said they are not a 'cruise' company, rather an 'expedition' company, thus not feeling any pressure to heed the Cdn and US government warnings re: citizens taking cruises. Of course they said I had the choice of if I wanted to go, but since my PIF was early February, I would be out the cost of the cruise. Also no luck with Scott Dunn -- they have referred me to their "department handling COVID-19" issues; I still haven't heard from anyone and don't expect to anytime soon. I am going to call our travel insurer and see if dd's severe asthma would be enough of a reason for them to refund our OOP money, but I don't have much hope with this route. From now on I will only purchase travel insurance with "cancel for any reason" coverage.

A close friend of mine had a river cruise booked directly with AMA Waterways this summer and was able to get her $800.00 deposit refunded in full yesterday. She filed a dispute with AmEx platinum for her internal flights with EasyJet and the other budget airline that she booked an internal flight with.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Totally agree about Japan. They seem to have done a great job. It would be such a bummer to have to cancel the Games as well. I bet they also haven't had runs on TP I told my husband this is the excuse we need to get one of those toilets, LOL.

The Italy situation is almost unbelievable. So terrible and sad. I found out a friend of mine has an elderly uncle there who has died. Heart goes out to all involved.

I found out this morning a girl (who I know casually) at the gym returned from southern Italy on the weekend. She has been at the gym every day since she returned and says there were no cases in the region where she was so no one needs to worry. Even still at spin class today no one sat on the bike she was on yesterday and everyone in spin class was talking about her (she wasn't in the class). I wish she would self-quarantine. Her husband is a physician, so hopefully he would encourage her to stay at home if he thought she posed a threat to anyone. Word at the club is that no one is happy she's wandering around the gym, socializing and taking regular classes. I feel badly for her, but I wish she would stay at home for at least a week.

I just got a lengthy e-mail from our club and they are specifically asking anyone who has returned from a level 3 region to stay home for 14 days. I wonder if she'll be at the gym tomorrow? I am very impressed with their extensive measures to combat transmission.

 

[lovetotravel]

I agree with you on this. I had a situation on our China ABD that they didn't handle well (it had to do with a typhoon projected to hit HK the day our trip was ending -- most of us know they count departure day as an ABD day). So while I have confidence about how they handle things while the trip is going on, I know from past experience that once they say 'bye' to you the night before departure day, they are of no assistance at all. That includes both the guides and the 1-800 emergency number they provide you with. On our December Peru ABD Rudy didn't show up for our departure (he said he would); our luggage wasn't brought down and the front desk didn't have breakfast boxes for dd and I -- they said ABD didn't order them). I was able to get things sorted out, but it delayed our bus to the airport by at least 20 minutes (and held up the 3 other families that were on the same bus) -- it probably would've taken much less time if Rudy had come down; Ken, the other guide, left the night before. I don't know why they consider this the last day when they sent a guide home before the trip is technically over, but I digress.

I am so sorry that they haven't cancelled your trip yet. I am both shocked and saddened at how they are handling it.

I called Quark this morning regarding moving our early June trip to next year and was told that wasn't possible. They said they are not a 'cruise' company, rather an 'expedition' company, thus not feeling any pressure to heed the Cdn and US government warnings re: citizens taking cruises. Of course they said I had the choice of if I wanted to go, but since my PIF was early February, I would be out the cost of the cruise. Also no luck with Scott Dunn -- they have referred me to their "department handling COVID-19" issues; I still haven't heard from anyone and don't expect to anytime soon. I am going to call our travel insurer and see if dd's severe asthma would be enough of a reason for them to refund our OOP money, but I don't have much hope with this route. From now on I will only purchase travel insurance with "cancel for any reason" coverage.

A close friend of mine had a river cruise booked directly with AMA Waterways this summer and was able to get her $800.00 deposit refunded in full yesterday. She filed a dispute with AmEx platinum for her internal flights with EasyJet and the other budget airline that she booked an internal flight with.

I always buy cancel insurance (not ABD). But what a pain is it to use. I have two trips still to fill out paperwork for and I’m doing all that work for about $400 in refunds. I’ve found that most companies will refund for COVID-19. Of the 2 I canceled, one was an ABD before PIF and the other was OYO. I actually lost less on the OYO because I was able to cancel all before final payments which were typically 2 days before a trip. I feel like OYO as much of a hassle as it was to cancel a bunch of tours, it was more flexible because of better cancellation policies.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I always buy cancel insurance (not ABD). But what a pain is it to use. I have two trips still to fill out paperwork for and I’m doing all that work for about $400 in refunds. I’ve found that most companies will refund for COVID-19. Of the 2 I canceled, one was an ABD before PIF and the other was OYO. I actually lost less on the OYO because I was able to cancel all before final payments which were typically 2 days before a trip. I feel like OYO as much of a hassle as it was to cancel a bunch of tours, it was more flexible because of better cancellation policies.

Did you purchase "cancel for any reason" insurance? I didn't pay the extra money for this. I have good travel insurance through AIG, but I'm not sure if I can cancel for COVID-19. I am calling them now.

 

[disneyholic family]

I always buy cancel insurance (not ABD). But what a pain is it to use. I have two trips still to fill out paperwork for and I’m doing all that work for about $400 in refunds. I’ve found that most companies will refund for COVID-19. Of the 2 I canceled, one was an ABD before PIF and the other was OYO. I actually lost less on the OYO because I was able to cancel all before final payments which were typically 2 days before a trip. I feel like OYO as much of a hassle as it was to cancel a bunch of tours, it was more flexible because of better cancellation policies.

i've never bought "cancel for any reason" insurance as it's very expensive.
i do of course buy regular travel/medical insurance that always includes medivac and search and rescue

Interestingly, two of the largest insurance companies here for travel medical insurance will no longer provide coverage to the USA.
I heard the announcement, but i haven't gone in to read why. I'm guessing that their underwriters are unwilling to take on the corona uncertainty.
.

 

[lovetotravel]

Did you purchase "cancel for any reason" insurance? I didn't pay the extra money for this. I have good travel insurance through AIG, but I'm not sure if I can cancel for COVID-19. I am calling them now.

Yes cancel for any reason.

 

[lovetotravel]

i've never bought "cancel for any reason" insurance as it's very expensive.
i do of course buy regular travel/medical insurance that always includes medivac and search and rescue

Interestingly, two of the largest insurance companies here for travel medical insurance will no longer provide coverage to the USA.
I heard the announcement, but i haven't gone in to read why. I'm guessing that their underwriters are unwilling to take on the corona uncertainty.
.

Yes I agree it’s expensive. It is usually about $400-700 more than comprehensive for us, depending on the cost of the trip. I’m sure they have a way to calculate risks based on factors.

 

[disneyholic family]

correction to my earlier post (which i've since edited).

the number of cases in france rose today by 372, for a total confirmed of 1,784
.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I found out this morning a girl (who I know casually) at the gym returned from southern Italy on the weekend. She has been at the gym every day since she returned and says there were no cases in the region where she was so no one needs to worry. Even still at spin class today no one sat on the bike she was on yesterday and everyone in spin class was talking about her (she wasn't in the class). I wish she would self-quarantine. Her husband is a physician, so hopefully he would encourage her to stay at home if he thought she posed a threat to anyone. Word at the club is that no one is happy she's wandering around the gym, socializing and taking regular classes. I feel badly for her, but I wish she would stay at home for at least a week.

Wow. Just wow. We actually received an email from our club a few days ago that anyone who has traveled abroad not use the club facilities for 14 days. We have a ton of older members so very understandable.

 

[vakamalua]

We were scheduled to give Virgin Voyages cruise line a try in July. We called and cancelled (before PIF) and they said, 'No Problem' and converted our non-refundable deposit to a cruise credit we can use up until July 2021. That's good customer service, ABD.

 

[AddictedtoTravel]

I go to quite a few conferences/national meetings for work. So far this week three huge conferences have canceled (Seattle, Los Angeles and Denver). In each scenario the organizations are going to reimburse all paid event costs. The airlines are waving change/cancel fees.

I understand the "don't panic" approach, business as usual but it just seems to me that ABD should let the clients chose their comfort level and should not penalize them. I can't imagine how horrible it would be for a client to get sick while on a trip that could have been delayed for a future date. I realize there is risk in travel, always, but the anxiety that this appears to be causing should help ABD pause and come to the right decision.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with you on this. I had a situation on our China ABD that they didn't handle well (it had to do with a typhoon projected to hit HK the day our trip was ending -- most of us know they count departure day as an ABD day). So while I have confidence about how they handle things while the trip is going on, I know from past experience that once they say 'bye' to you the night before departure day, they are of no assistance at all. That includes both the guides and the 1-800 emergency number they provide you with. On our December Peru ABD Rudy didn't show up for our departure (he said he would); our luggage wasn't brought down and the front desk didn't have breakfast boxes for dd and I -- they said ABD didn't order them). I was able to get things sorted out, but it delayed our bus to the airport by at least 20 minutes (and held up the 3 other families that were on the same bus) -- it probably would've taken much less time if Rudy had come down; Ken, the other guide, left the night before. I don't know why they consider this the last day when they sent a guide home before the trip is technically over, but I digress.

I am so sorry that they haven't cancelled your trip yet. I am both shocked and saddened at how they are handling it.

I called Quark this morning regarding moving our early June trip to next year and was told that wasn't possible. They said they are not a 'cruise' company, rather an 'expedition' company, thus not feeling any pressure to heed the Cdn and US government warnings re: citizens taking cruises. Of course they said I had the choice of if I wanted to go, but since my PIF was early February, I would be out the cost of the cruise. Also no luck with Scott Dunn -- they have referred me to their "department handling COVID-19" issues; I still haven't heard from anyone and don't expect to anytime soon. I am going to call our travel insurer and see if dd's severe asthma would be enough of a reason for them to refund our OOP money, but I don't have much hope with this route. From now on I will only purchase travel insurance with "cancel for any reason" coverage.

A close friend of mine had a river cruise booked directly with AMA Waterways this summer and was able to get her $800.00 deposit refunded in full yesterday. She filed a dispute with AmEx platinum for her internal flights with EasyJet and the other budget airline that she booked an internal flight with.

I've been trying to keep up with AMA's policies throughout all of this as we have the ABD Rhine booked for late summer. I assume ABD can't sail without AMA, so if AMA stops or limits sailings, I would assume ABD would issue refunds or let us move our payments?

 

[sayhello]

I've been trying to keep up with AMA's policies throughout all of this as we have the ABD Rhine booked for late summer. I assume ABD can't sail without AMA, so if AMA stops or limits sailings, I would assume ABD would issue refunds or let us move our payments?

Interesting point. I'd assume you are correct, and if AmaWaterways cancels a rivercruise, ABD would have to cancel the ABD on that cruise. You can't rivercruise without a ship.

Have you seen anything on their website? I can't find anything.

Sayhello

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Interesting point. I'd assume you are correct, and if AmaWaterways cancels a rivercruise, ABD would have to cancel the ABD on that cruise. You can't rivercruise without a ship.

Have you seen anything on their website? I can't find anything.

Sayhello

I've only seen things on third-party travel sites. This is what I found on thepointsguy:

AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is lifting restrictions to let passengers on any voyage add the line’s cancel-for-any-reason policy, Travel Waiver Plus, to their booking. The policy, which costs $80 to $175, allows passengers to cancel a cruise for any reason up until 24 hours before departure. Passengers who cancel under the policy will receive a future cruise credit that is valid for 24 months. Normally, a Travel Waiver Plus policy only can be booked in conjunction with AmaWaterways’ Cruise Protection Plan and at the time final payment for a cruise is made. AmaWaterways is lifting the restrictions for existing bookings that already are paid in full through March 15 so passengers can add the policy to their reservations.

That's great if you booked directly through AMA! Probably not very promising for ABD. I'm really hoping this is something we won't even be thinking about in late summer.

In the meantime, my SoCal/DL PIF is in less than two weeks . . . . not sure what I'm going to do with that one.

 

[Woodview]

correction to my earlier post (which i've since edited).

the number of cases in france rose today by 372, for a total confirmed of 1,784
.

As of 10.30 Pm BBC News said

Italy 10,600 cases .............. 630 dead

Spain 1,600 cases

Germany 1,500 cases



U.S.A NEW York area many cases

 

[sayhello]

For those still going on the upcoming London/Paris ABD, looks like you're going to have Jennae as one of your Adventure Guides! She just posted that she's on her way to London!

Sayhello

 

[Cliffside]

I've only seen things on third-party travel sites. This is what I found on thepointsguy:

AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is lifting restrictions to let passengers on any voyage add the line’s cancel-for-any-reason policy, Travel Waiver Plus, to their booking. The policy, which costs $80 to $175, allows passengers to cancel a cruise for any reason up until 24 hours before departure. Passengers who cancel under the policy will receive a future cruise credit that is valid for 24 months. Normally, a Travel Waiver Plus policy only can be booked in conjunction with AmaWaterways’ Cruise Protection Plan and at the time final payment for a cruise is made. AmaWaterways is lifting the restrictions for existing bookings that already are paid in full through March 15 so passengers can add the policy to their reservations.

That's great if you booked directly through AMA! Probably not very promising for ABD. I'm really hoping this is something we won't even be thinking about in late summer.

In the meantime, my SoCal/DL PIF is in less than two weeks . . . . not sure what I'm going to do with that one.

I've only seen things on third-party travel sites. This is what I found on thepointsguy:

AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is lifting restrictions to let passengers on any voyage add the line’s cancel-for-any-reason policy, Travel Waiver Plus, to their booking. The policy, which costs $80 to $175, allows passengers to cancel a cruise for any reason up until 24 hours before departure. Passengers who cancel under the policy will receive a future cruise credit that is valid for 24 months. Normally, a Travel Waiver Plus policy only can be booked in conjunction with AmaWaterways’ Cruise Protection Plan and at the time final payment for a cruise is made. AmaWaterways is lifting the restrictions for existing bookings that already are paid in full through March 15 so passengers can add the policy to their reservations.

That's great if you booked directly through AMA! Probably not very promising for ABD. I'm really hoping this is something we won't even be thinking about in late summer.

In the meantime, my SoCal/DL PIF is in less than two weeks . . . . not sure what I'm going to do with that one.

That is so frustrating. I can’t understand why ABD is not doing anything. It makes me wish I had booked directly with AmaWaterways for my Danube cruise in June. It seems like most of their competitors are doing something as well DCL. I thought ABD would be a leader in customer service. I guess I was wrong.

I am in the 50% penalty phase now and don’t know what to do. DH wants to wait it out.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For those still going on the upcoming London/Paris ABD, looks like you're going to have Jennae as one of your Adventure Guides! She just posted that she's on her way to London!

Sayhello

I was just coming here to post the same thing! Wow. She said she has a whole row to herself on the plane . . . I'm surprised this ABD is actually going as scheduled.

That is so frustrating. I can’t understand why ABD is not doing anything. It makes me wish I had booked directly with AmaWaterways for my Danube cruise in June. It seems like most of their competitors are doing something as well DCL. I thought ABD would be a leader in customer service. I guess I was wrong.

I am in the 50% penalty phase now and don’t know what to do. DH wants to wait it out.

I had the exact same thought. I had priced out AMA prior to booking the ABD and went with the ABD because I thought DS12 would enjoy it more. I'm sure he will IF we actually go at this point! We only have our deposit down (I guess I shouldn't say "only" as it's a few thousand $$, ugh) and I guess I'll switch dates if we have to.