Thank you all so much for the insurance info and advise.
@threeofthree - we have a Horizon BCBS Plan G Supplemental Plan. I took a look at their website and couldn’t find any info on international coverage but will try again tomorrow. @lb5 - The one and only payment is due by June 20, so it sounds l ike I would need to apply for coverage (assuming we go that route) as soon after paying. I’ll take a look at the website you suggested. @deb922 - Thanks for the tips @thumper1 - Do you have a favorite provider? @kiddie - Allianz is the company the travel agent suggested @1214mom - Funny you should suggest using a credit card that provides travel protection. This agent/agency only takes checks. If my sister-in-law didn’t already have a relationship with them I’d probably think i was being scammed. @Colorado_mom - I usually book my travel myself and look for the flexible cancellation policies.
It sounds like many of you use Geoblue for coverage so I will also take a look at that.
On our own, after some research we opted for GeoBlue travel insurance. When booking a Viking River cruise, we arranged Allianze coverage through our travel agent at AAA. Viking also offers insurance (maybe covers more reasons? not sure). But we wanted to also cover all the other travel that the agent had also booked for us and another couple.
Usually the insurance doesn’t cost any extra for covering preexisting conditions if purchased within the 10-14 days.
We have “cancel for any reason” on an upcoming trip we booked last year. I think it cost about 10% of the trip cost for basic insurance and an extra 50% or so of that insurance cost for the any reason coverage (not close to the trip cost). The policy pays 100% for a covered reason and 75% for a not usually covered reason. The trip supplier has a very unforgiving, long lead time cancellation policy, which is partly why we did this. We did not insure our airfare on this policy because of the airline and credit card policies.
The insure my trip website is also a good one for comparing policies.
Too bad I had to catch my flight out of San Diego today because the offer of $1500 flight credit, free overnight stay, and first class seats tomorrow would have been nice. How could they oversell seven seats on an Embraer E-175 that wasn’t sold out less than a week ago!
I got an email yesterday offering $100. Arrived at the airport and they were announcing $1000. And finally $1500.
But I needed to meet my Road Scholar tour today.
Maybe they’ll do the same thing on my return Friday! Then I’d get an overnight in San Francisco.
From the welcome dinner and introductions last night, seems like an interesting educated group. Lots of fun at the dinner table. (I think I’m the laziest one of the group - they’re involved in so many good works.). But now I have to be up at the crack of dawn each day.
I just don’t hesitate to ask questions! And almost always do ask something before booking.
I often confirm things that are important to me. I recently booked a September spot and while it listed “air conditioning “ I confirmed central air as opposed to window units or a split in only the main area for instance.
We only rent from Airbnb and we only rent 4.9 or above places - they actually are almost always 4.8 or above.
Look at cancellation options - I prefer places that give more than 48 hours for free cancellation- they often give free cancellation until like a month before.
I think many like VRBO. I think it’s what you get started with that you get more familiar with.
My kids love shopping AIRBNB - I’ve learned a lot from them and it was actually MY property that we selected for a “mommy and me” September Lake Michigan long weekend! I felt accomplished
Yep - I’m one of those VRBO folks! AirB&B was home sharing when it started and I think it’s branched to full separate rentals. The Nick Saban commercial was spot on as to what I always thought about AirB&Bs. I also remember the grief the AirB&Bs gave to local governments by not wanting or be required to get a business license because it was “their home” yet they were renting part of it out. They were really quite obnoxious and started ruining quiet neighborhoods pretending they were not doing what they were doing. Now there is survenlience and real estate ads and ad searches that catch them. Doubt I’ll switch unless there is anything I can’t find via VRBO.
I look for superhosts on Airbnb, and I am very careful to review reviews. If there are not many reviews, I’m leery. I carefully review the host’s rules - I’m not washing sheets or doing anything other than cleaning up dishes, removing food from the fridge and taking out the trash. They’re charging me a cleaning fee, so I’m not doing the cleaning for them.
My S just rented an Airbnb in Scottsdale that had all 5.0 reviews, but only 12 or so reviews & it wasn’t a superhost. The place was so bad that he left & went to a hotel for the two nights he was supposed to have stayed there. He has lodged a complaint and hopes to get at least a partial refund, but he said he had to leave. I have been lucky enough not to run into anything like that.
A hack that’s saved me some $$$ a few times is if the property you’re looking for is listed by a management company or real estate company (look for this information under the “Host” section), and they have a separate website that also lists the property for rent, I’ve been able to rent directly through the website and save on the VRBO/Airbnb “service” fees.
My advice on rentals is to decide what’s most important to you (location, condition of the rental, price, etc.) and read the reviews carefully to make sure the rental meets those expectations (and make sure the reviews are recent). For example, many rentals with a good location receive great reviews even though the rental is rundown and outdated. My number one is an updated/new/remodeled unit and I will sacrifice other things to get that. Unfortunately for me, where I stay when I vacation has to meet or exceed my current living conditions. I’m mostly a hotel/resort person because I like to be pampered and don’t want to have to do the dishes, strip beds and take out the garbage on my way out, but there are many scenarios where rentals make sense.
I also find it very important to actually read the reviews. Some people give low ratings for reasons I never would - the kitchen didn’t have enough cooking utensils for example. And some will say the place needs new furniture and a good cleaning but give a 5 star review!
I’ve rented through both VRBO and Airbnb - I prefer VRBO. Have been renting for a very long time and only had one disappointment.
Adding to the reviews conversation, I also like to look for reviews in the season I’m going to be there. So, great there are lots of reviews for a place in July but how is the place going to function (parking, heating, etc.) when we are renting in winter?
Everyone has their own level of expectations. For me, I do not want the pictures to depict any indication that someone lives there. No personal pictures, no frumpy couch with grandma’s pillows on it. I want it very clean and minimal in extra decor. I want good, safe parking. Outside space in good weather. And I often DO want the kitchen well equipped! Make sure there is a coffee maker!
