@jym626 If you are 60 + , especially if the original tickets were non stop and now are not , you might try making a case that you are not comfortable flying right now. I had success yesterday with Southwest in cancelling flights my sister and I made in December (for flights next month) that were originally non-stop that became flights with stops. I stayed matter of fact, said we were 60+ , the schedules had changed, flights with stops were not acceptable and we wanted refunds as opposed to travel funds. I got no pushback at all and the conversation was cordial. Even if no schedule changes are involved for you, you might make a case that you are just not comfortable flying right now . If you are regular Delta customers especially, they might try to help you. And hopefully you get a reasonable agent when you call. Good luck!
We got a great deal on RT tix to Spain and we cannot go which is fine. The travel agency said they will refund the money and charge us $150 which is ok but we still want to go next summer, but Lufthansa has not released their flight schedule that far in advance.
Does anyone have any experience in a situation like this? Ideally we want to wait and just rebook next year…are we out of luck and either have to rebook for something sooner or take the refund?
Not comfortable with flying right now. Hoping that my parents will continue to stay healthy and not necessitate a trip for me anytime soon.
We did take a short driving trip this weekend. No bathroom stops until we got to the hotel. The hotel (another Hampton) had very few people there - we checked in using the front door but after that, used the side stairs and door for the rest of our stay. Didn’t see a soul. Went walking, hiking, visited places - but all outdoors. Hardly any people around. But for one exception - we hiked down to a water fall. Apparently, there was a different way to the water fall from another direction (easy walk) and boy, was this place crowded! Several groups of 10 or more. No one had masks. Loud, screaming, music blaring, even had a portable hookah. We stayed for a few minutes on one rock away from the crowds, but when a big group made their way to the rock, we left. It sure didn’t look like those people were worried about Covid.
Pretty sure we are not going anywhere via plane for the rest of 2020. I usually fly or stay in a hotel for something work related every six weeks or so. It is so weird to be home for so long, but I am finding it relaxing. I am really grateful that my company canceled all of our travel this year, and that all of the conferences we had planned on attending are now virtual. It’s a bummer, but I do not want to get on a plane-I always get slightly ill/colds/coughs from flying anyway, can’t imagine what I would pick up now.
I knew I’d have no problem getting an e-credit travel voucher, but I was hoping to get a refund. They should refund as the flights have had several schedule changes, aircraft changes, seat changes, etc, and the return is now 2 hrs earlier than when we booked (though it changed again) and that should trigger an automatic refund. He said because of all those things the computer doesn’t do the review of all that (sounded a little fishy… but oh well) he claimed it wouldn’t let him automatically refund the $ but he submitted the request for refund. He said there are … wait for it… 30,000 requests for refunds in process in the system, and it could take 7-45 days. One of the 4 tickets (2 round trip) had a small voucher (from an old price match) used, which also requires a manual adjustment. I am still waiting on a (hopefully) manual adjustment of a previous ticket that had a large voucher payment (75% of the ticket price). Right now its sitting as an e-credit.
@jym626 When we got our $ refunds from Delta, the criteria, aside from cancellation of the flight, was >90 minute difference in departure/arrival time, change from direct flight to one stop, change of aircraft to smaller plane. Pretty liberal!
For those sticking to the ground (actually underground most places in in NYC), I have a tip: I took the subway this morning and left my hand sanitizer home. I had heard that the transit system was distributing free hand sanitizer. I asked at the fare booth and was given two spray bottles of 70% isopropyl alcohol, marked NYS Clean hand sanitizer. Thanks, Gov. Cuomo!
Thanks. Yes the FAA has some “relatively” clear guidelines for refunds, and so far I’ve gotten refunds for 3 of the 4 flights we cancelled. I am pretty certain I’ll get at least one of the 2 tickets refunded. The glitch seems to be that part of one fare was paid for with a voucher and that needs, so they say, to be handled manually. We shall see. If they deny it I’ll appeal. I am a platinum sky miles member with delta.
Speaking of Delta, did anyone see the story this morning on The Today Show about how they clean the planes? If you can believe the story, they say the air is cleaning than in your own home! of course I don’t have strangers in my home, especially sitting on my sofa 
Out of curiosity, checked the websites of some hotels we’ve stayed in Hawaii. One expects to be closed until at least August 14 (even though the travel quarantine is supposed to be eased to allow pre-testing beginning August 1st). Another would not provide a reopening date. Travel sites report that people are canceling their August and September island vacation plans. I am going to sit tight for now.
BTW, test “results within 72 hours” means sample was taken within this timeframe. The test results date does not matter. The report lists sample collection date as the date of test.
I recently spent a long weekend with D1 and her husband at a house they rented for a month. The house sat on a huge farm with a pool. It was very secluded. We went grocery shopping once while I was there. We cooked, sat by the pool and watched sunset in the evening. It was the most relaxing few days I’ve had in a long time.
The house was empty for 3 days before they arrived. D1 & SIL cleaned the house after they arrived. They felt it was safer than staying at a B&B or a hotel.
My H is from Bermuda and we still have family living there. The island just opened up to travel. Visitors must have a negative Covid test within 3 days of arrival. Yesterday Delta arrived with their first flight from Atlanta and there were two Bermudians on the flight that tested positive for Covid!
D is driving cross country for a year-long externship. I was planning to go with her then fly home. Its a 3-4 day trip driving which means we’ll have to stay overnight in 3 cities. Last time we made a similar trip, we also stopped every two hours for bathroom runs and gas. UGH!
Two weeks ago, my family and I flew from Newark, NJ to Phoenix. My son accepted a job offer out there so we flew out to get him settled into an apartment. We spent two weeks there. We had to connect thru Dallas because there are no direct flights to Phoenix from EWR (and vice versa) right now. EWR was a ghost town. Dallas airport was “normal” busy as was Phoenix airport. Had to wear a mask inside the airports and on the plane. No food service on American airlines, but they did hand out a bag with a bottle of water and pretzels as we boarded the plane. If you wanted a drink during the flight, the flight attendant would bring you one. On demand service. Planes were full. everyone wore a mask. Everyone.
On the way home yesterday, we had to connect thru Chicago. Airports “normal” busy, everyone in masks and the planes were full. Overall, my family and I felt safe in the airports and during the flights. We didn’t witness anyone being defiant and refusing to wear masks. I would have no problem flying again, but with that said, my family and I are not high risk when it comes to COVID-19.
123 France, I would love that you report in a week or two that you are all clear. You can be the thread’s test.
@jym626 what are my chances of getting my ticket refunded for my flight that I cancelled back in early May to Mexico? It was 5/2. It was part of a vacation package from Costco. We cancelled the entire vacation because at the time I believe we not even permitted to travel to mexico and I do not believe the flight even took off. It was on American. We waiting until mid-April and then cancelled our trip. They refunded our hotel portion but we could only get a voucher for future travel because the flight wasn’t cancelled yet. I went on Flyte Aware and I coudn’t even find record of the flight.
@Sybylla , will do. I have to have a Lyme test and now a COVID test as well. Will let you know!
@yearstogo
Even in the pre-pestilence times, airlines wouldn’t release tickets until approx. 11 months before the travel date, I know it for a fact.
But if you think you know what will happen travel-wise next summer, I want your crystal ball.
Our family flew ORD-SEA and back, returning almost 2 weeks ago. I don’t think we got the bug (and the trip was otherwise stress-free and fantastic) but flying was sheer horror, especially on the way back. Maybe 10 empty seats in the sardine can. Why? Because United was saving money by flying Airbus 319 once a day, instead of B737-900s 4 times a day. A larger plane would have made it kind of OK but no, United would rather kill you than lose a dollar.
This can make you question the entire capitalist system - or sit on your a… and wait for better times.