This summer is bound to look a little bit different from other summers in America.
Though Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says that there’s still a very good chance that Americans will be able to take planned vacations this summer, between social distancing, capacity limits and the suggestion of wearing masks in public, they’re not going to be like vacations of years past if they are to come to fruition.
Then, of course, there’s the debate on whether families should even take said vacations if they’re able to – whether it’s out of just plain fear of contracting the virus or not getting the value for their money that they otherwise would have.
Are you thinking about canceling your summer vacation, but worried you’ll be on the hook for money you’ve already spent on bookings? There’s a great chance you can recoup all of it – even if you don’t have travel insurance. Here are some tips on how to do it:
Airlines
Airlines have been one of the most hard hit industries by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the good news is that most are more than willing to work with you now if it means retaining your business in the future. Some airlines are offering hassle-free cancelations, or will award you a credit for an existing flight. Others are reducing or changing flight schedules so much that you’ll be due a full refund if you contact the airline and ask for one. If you don’t mind waiting on hold or for a callback, you can even contact the airline yourself and request a refund rather than a flight credit. The better your frequent flier standing with the airline, the better you’ll likely fare in getting a refund versus a credit to use in the future.
Hotels
Unless you’ve booked through a third-party vendor at a deeply discounted rate, most hotels allow you to cancel without penalty within 48 hours of check in. If you did make a non-refundable reservation, you’ll likely be out a certain percentage of the total cost. Again, you can always try contacting the hotel directly to see if they’ll work with you. As in the airline scenario, the better your loyalty with the hotel chain, the better you’re likely to fare.
Other Tips
- Check your credit card: Certain credit cards either offer a certain level of trip insurance or will help negotiate refunds with certain outlets.
- Be polite: It’s a stressful time for everyone right now, and certainly airlines and hospitality are two industries really taking things on the chin. Keep that in mind while you negotiate.
- Meet in the middle: Can’t get a full refund? Make sure you at least get credit toward a booking in the future. In lieu of a refund, you can often even negotiate that credit to be 10-20 percent more than what your original booking was.
