With spring break and summer vacation around the corner, travelers are starting to feel concerned about booking their next vacation.

Every day new developments related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are emerging causing uncertainty among travelers. People are starting to evaluate their travel plans around the big question “Will I be safe?”

Travel agents have become the new spokespersons of this new disease by educating clients about the coronavirus and the relatively small risk of traveling abroad where there are no travel restrictions.

“Travelers are concern about going through mayor airports or just the fact of being in a plane surrounded with hundreds of people. Our job as travel agents is to keep our clients inform and use trustworthy resources in order for us to stay up to date with the developing news of this new virus”, said Arthur Salus, CEO of Costa Rica Dream Adventures and Duluth Travel that primarily books government, corporate and leisure travel.

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. “Before making the decision of canceling an upcoming vacation, we recommend travelers to wait to see how things will turn out”, Mr. Salus said.

Salus is encouraging those who are booking travel now to consider purchasing travel insurance. “The cancel-for-any-reason insurance policy could help travelers manage the uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak”, he said.

Click here to see a list of destinations with travel notices.

 

Do I get a refund if I cancel my trip?

Each company establishes its own refund policies. Some companies may base their policies on CDC’s travel health notices.

Many airlines are offering waivers that allow people to change their flight without having to pay the usual penalty.

 

 

If you are traveling to a destination where there are no travel restrictions, be aware that tour operators may be no accepting cancelations and instead are waiving their change fees for future travel plans.

In this case, each situation is analyzed case by case depending on the travel dates. Most tour operators are offering a credit to book your vacation within 6 to 12 months. If there is an increase in pricing, you may have to pay the difference.

Costa Rica Dream Adventures is changing its policies and offering a flexible travel plan for new reservations. The ‘Book Now, Travel Later’ program offers NO penalties on NEW vacation packages reservations made before April 30th, 2020.

 

Airlines Waiving Fees

The following U.S. airlines have waived their cancellation fees:

 

United Airlines

No change fees on book tickets between March 3 and March 31, 2020. You can change it for free over the next 12 months. See terms and conditions Also United is waiving change fees for all tickets issued on or before March 2 with original travel dates of March 9 through April 30, 2020. See terms and conditions.

 

American Airlines

No change fee on flights ticketed on or before March 1, 2020, or if you are scheduled to travel March 1 – April 30, 2020. Can travel March 1 – December 31, 2020, or within 1 year of the date the ticket was issued. Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip. Other terms apply.

 

 

Alaska Airlines

No change or cancellation fees for tickets purchased before February 26, 2020. New tickets purchased between February 27 and March 31, 2020. Read more.

 

JetBlue

No change or canceling fees on existing bookings for customers traveling March 10, 2020 through April 30, 2020. Customers may rebook their flights for travel through October 24, 2020. No change or canceling fees on new flight bookings made between March 6, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through September 8, 2020. JetBlue temporary policy.

 

Delta Air Lines

No change fees for all tickets purchased between March 1-31, 2020. Must be reissued before February 28, 2021. Impacted travel dates from March 1, 2020 – February 25, 2021. No change fees for customers scheduled to travel March 1 – April 30, 2020.

This applies to all travelers who booked their trip before March 9, 2020. Impacted travel dates from March 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020. New ticket must be re-issued before Dec 31, 2020. Read details.

 

Healthy Flying Tips To Travel During Coronavirus Outbreak

 

What Travel Insurance Covers for Coronavirus?

Travelers who are still planning or recently booked their future vacation should consider getting the Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance benefit. This benefit gives the traveler freedom to cancel a trip any reason whatsoever (generally 2 days or more before the scheduled departure date) and is reimbursed for a 75% percent of their nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs.

 

 

Cancel For Any Reason is time-sensitive and must be purchased within 15 days of the date of the initial deposit for the trip. Though it’s more expensive, this option could help travelers protect their financial investment in a trip due to the unpredictability of the coronavirus outbreak.

It’s important to remember that standard travel insurance does not cover travelers who decide not to travel because of the outbreak.

Since this is an unexpected situation be aware that travel insurance may be adjusting their policies due to this coronavirus. Make sure to review the new updated policies.

 

Protect Your Travel Experience

 

Hotels and Vacation Rentals

If you made a refundable reservation directly with the hotel, you can get a refund. Largest hotel chains are waiving cancellation fees for travelers going or coming from affected areas listed by the CDC like China, South Korea, and Italy.

Companies like VRBO are recommending travelers review their cancellation policy and consider adopting a flexible or moderate policy for the time being. The company is accepting cancelations for upcoming reservations in an area affected by travel restrictions.

 

Prevention Practices

If you will be traveling soon, CDC recommends taking the following routine precautions:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning product
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60% – 95% alcohol

 

List of cleaning products that combat coronavirus

 

For more information, please visit costaricadreamadventures.com

 

 

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More COVID-19 Updates:

Duluth Travel has adopted a work-from-home policy
Canada and US are closing their borders
Goway, Insight, Exodus, Hola Sun, G Adventures and more have updates, suspensions
Airlines appeal for aid as financial toll of coronavirus pandemic looms large