by Judith Suthar, MCC, an Alexandria-based luxury travel specialist
“Should I Stay or Should I Go” has suddenly become much more than an iconic song by The Clash. It’s become the million dollar question when contemplating that upcoming spring break trip or yearly conference in Geneva (with a side trip to the spa in Lake Maggiore). What to do?
This past week and beyond, I (and many of my colleagues in the travel industry) have spent very long days addressing various “What if I cancel?” questions, cancelling and rescheduling trips, and reading the fine print on various travel protection policies.
Wait times on calls to airlines, cruise lines and tour operators have grown in length. Sometimes I’ve been on hold so long that the shock of a human voice has practically catapulted me out of my chair. Thank goodness for speaker phone!
So again, back to the golden question: Should you go?
If you are of good health, practice good handwashing hygiene, and do not enter into panic mode easily, I do not see any reason to alter your plans.
What about the airplane? I’ve always thought they were a petri dish bigger than a child’s ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on airplanes.
Although the risk of infection on an airplane is low, travelers should try to avoid contact with sick passengers and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contain 60%–95% alcohol.”
Oh, and the government should shut down the whole cruise industry, right? World Health Organization (WHO) experts say there’s no reason to suggest a cruise ship is more at risk than any other highly trafficked place, and that sea-going travelers should follow the same guidance you would anywhere.
I’m not trying to minimize concerns. Some of us are elderly, some of us have compromised immune systems, or asthma or heart disease.
With the generous cancellation and change policies the airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators are offering, if you fall into a vulnerable group, by all means, reschedule for later this year or even early next year.
Keep in mind, though, that the majority of travel protection plans have exclusions for cancellation reimbursement due to epidemics. There are exceptions to that if you purchased a “cancel for any reason” or “cancel at any time” policy. You can typically cancel for a covered reason and receive 100% reimbursement and for a reason beyond the standard ones, recovery of 75-80% of costs. Just do not mention the “C” word (coronavirus). Once that leaves your lips, you will get a reimbursement of a big fat zero.
Again, I have spent very long days and nights this week advocating on behalf of my clients and their concerns. I’ve tapped into contacts all over the travel industry to get the most up to date cancellation and change policies and have kept all clients traveling in the next three months and beyond informed on all of the decisions that affect them. I’d like to think I have helped calm their anxieties and apprehensions and freed them from hours on hold when they could be out buying soap and water and hand sanitizer and making the simple preparations for when and if the virus appears in their own backyard.
I’m often asked, “Why should I use your travel planning services when I can go to Costco or buy online?” I wonder what Costco or that discount trip website would have told you if you had called them this week and screamed: “Help!”
Hug your travel advisor and most importantly -- WASH YOUR HANDS AND KEEP CALM!
