Have you ever wondered about how it works with your plane tickets if you have to cancel your trip and file a claim on your trip cancellation travel insurance plan?
Do you:
- Cancel your plane ticket and get no refund from the airline? or
- Or pay The change fee and have a non-transferable ticket you have to use within one year?
If you insured your full prepaid and non-refundable trip cost, and are cancelling your trip for a covered reason, then #1 (cancel your plane ticket and get no refund from the airline) is the best choice because you’ll get your money back.
Imagine this conversation with the airline:
You: I have to cancel my trip so I need to cancel my plane ticket.
Airline: Ok, no problem. It’s done and you won’t be getting any refund.
You: Wow, that was easy. Bye.
The airline then resells your seat for a big profit. And your trip cancellation travel insurance plan gives you back the money you lost. Everyone’s happy, right?
Not everyone. Unfortunately, the conversation doesn’t go like I wrote above. Instead, it’s more like this:
You: I have to cancel my trip so I need to cancel my plane ticket.
Airline: Ok, no problem. You just pay a minimal change fee and you can re-use the value of your ticket within 12 months. If you book a more expensive ticket you simply pay the difference.
You: If I book a less expensive ticket will I get a refund for the difference?
Airline: No
You: I want to cancel my ticket.
Airline: You won’t be getting any refund.
You: That’s OK
Airline: Most people pay the change fee.
You: I don’t want to. I just want to cancel.
Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera (just like Yul Brenner in The King of Siam), back and forth until one of you gives up.
Here’s what I say in the 7 Travel Insurance Claim Tips we give everyone who buys travel insurance from us: (don’t ask for a copy because I only give this to our clients)
If you are forced to cancel your trip and you have insured your airline tickets, be sure to cancel your tickets completely. If you agree to pay the change fee to re-use your tickets, your travel insurance won’t reimburse you the cost of your airline tickets.
Therefore, I suggest you do something like this when you call the airline:
You: I have to cancel my trip so I need to cancel my plane ticket.
Airline: Ok, no problem. You just pay a minimal change fee and you can re-use the value of your ticket within 12 months. If you book a more expensive ticket you simply pay the difference.
You: I got hit by a cement truck and my doctor says I won’t be able to travel for a long time, so I can’t possibly use my plane tickets.
Airline: Are you sure? It’s only $xxx.
You: No, I just want to cancel my ticket.
Airline: OK
I hope this makes sense. If not, call us at 1-888-407-3854 and we’ll help you figure it all out.
Technorati Tags: change fee, airline ticket, trip cancellation insurance, travel, trip, cruise, travel insurance, trip insurance, cruises, cruise insurance
Now, a word from our sponsor: TripInsuranceStore.com (the Most Exclusive, Informative & Friendliest Travel Insurance Comparison Site)
- Save your time & money with 6 pre-screened companies (you don’t need 100+ travel or cruise insurance plans).
- You get personalized service from Deanna, Becky, Tara or Steve at 1-888-407-3854 (US, Canada). Or email us.
- Do you want a relationship with your travel insurance supplier? If so, you’ll fit right in. If you’d rather not get to know us, you’ll still find everything you need to get the right travel insurance plan.
- Get side-by-side plan & price comparisons
- You get our exclusive Smile of Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee
You must log in to post a comment.