My parents are thinking of coming over in May for D’s graduation from college. A bit tentative with their plans since my dad had some health issues a couple of months ago (he’s much better now and the doc has cleared him for travel).
We were thinking of getting them business class tickets since it is a long flight and this will be way more comfortable for them. We travel a fair amount, but don’t do business class Do these ticket prices tend to vary much? Will it be better to buy these well ahead of time (like now) or wait until April?
Also thinking about refundable tickets and/or travel insurance. Any experience with specific travel insurance companies/plans?
We typically just get the lowest/most convenient economy fares - we did get travel/health insurance for them during their last visit. Business class tickets seem to be three times the cost plus they seem a little tentative - giving me some pause.
Some credit cards do offer travel insurance if you purchase them using the CC. It can be worthwhile looking into that to see if it is something attractive. I did use travel insurance via credit card once and they paid us the cancellation fees when we had to cancel a trip, no question asked and no hassles.
United has a program where you can pay for economy plus seating for a year for a set fee as a subscription. You can see if that program might be cheaper. You can see if buying the economy seats + the international economy plus subscription for 2 people is cheaper than just buying two economy plus seats.
If you or your spouse has a lot of miles, you can see about booking them tickets using the miles and see what the refund policies are on them as a way of heding bets and not having to buy insurance. Just another way to plan.
We just had to toss D’s return flight (S bought it for $150) because it would have cost $200 to cancel or change the tickets and D will just buy another ticket when she is healthy enough to fly back to her place.
Travel insurance is a must for any senior traveling, especially internationally. The issue isn’t so much trip cancellation as for coverage for US medical care as well as evacuation in case of a debilitating illness or broken bone. Most, if not all airlines have specific rules on traveling with just-broken bones like seats with extra room or purchase of two seats plus having to wait x-days until safe to travel.
The return trip could be delayed and new tickets would have to be purchased.
Remember, they would be on the hook for 100% of US medical costs until they could recover from their insurance.
My SIL fell in Italy, breaking her wrist. TI covered all medical costs, ticket change fees, upgraded seating, and cancelled hotels and car rental.
They might need to look into purchasing from their end.
I booked Business Class seats for my folks as a 50th anniversary present - Mom had never been to Europe. Our experience is that, at this point in the year, tickets only get more expensive.
COMFORT
If you’re paying a premium, then get your money’s worth. The comfort can vary a lot from airline to airline, and even within an airline.
Not all carriers have lay flat beds. And some carriers who do have them, don’t have beds on all their int’l routes. I’ve flown itineraries where one int’l segment is a bed and the next int’l segment is a lame-o big recliner seat.
Also, a “flat seat” is not the same as a bed. It’s simply a recliner chair that can be unfolded flat, but at an angle. Bcs they are inclined, the passenger slides downward-- my kids call them wedgie seats.
PRICE SHIPPING
Try shopping for price using a 3rd booking website like Expedia, etc. Then buy the ticket DIRECTLY FROM THE AIRLINE. Read the fine print about refunds.
On Expedia, try different departure dates, different days of the week, and different number of advance days to see if there is a significant difference in fare. I expect that similar yield fare pricing strategies apply to business class as to economy.
You can get discounted business class tickets and they come with restrictions, just like economy tickets. On United I would wait until check in to buy upgrade and I could often get it very cheaply. I don’t think you would want to take a chance for your parents. At the same time I wouldn’t pay full fare business, you can get it for less.
H and I are traveling to Italy. We upgraded to a more comfortalvbe seat for $69 each way. Have done this once before and it makes a world of difference. Still not business class but more leg space.
Do these ticket prices tend to vary much? Will it be better to buy these well ahead of time (like now) or wait until April?