Be careful - Costco's travel insurance has changed

[Nannabelle]

Jodie, I'm still confused? Did you just include her on a cruise you are already taking? So you had a booking and now Grandma is joining you? If so that could be the answer.

Costco has changed this whole mess at least 3 times since May 1. In our case the new cruise insurance which was all that was available on May 3 when I first learned about it was $200 + more than the original quite from just a few days before the change, and the oldest in the family was 50, family of 4 on Magic 7 day.

 

[pillow]

Jodie, I'm still confused? Did you just include her on a cruise you are already taking? So you had a booking and now Grandma is joining you? If so that could be the answer.

No - its a completely separate reservation. Completely different res#.

J

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Thanks Heather for posting this. I was planning to purchase insurance for my 92 year old grandmother from Travel Guard. Since its now based on age, I'm afraid to see what it will cost. I just booked her yesterday. Am I out of luck??

Jodie

Hi Jodie

Did you get yours straightened out? I would call them to confirm and then I'd print everything you see as a backup!

My update - I was called back and I was advised I had to send an email as it couldn't be changed with the phone reps. She was able to confirm the information and did seem a lot more knowledgeable. Clearly they've received feedback but, she said a few times, "I'm not sure how long we'll be able to give the old quotes". I find that odd but clearly that goes along with what you all have said, seems to keep changing.

She did quote me $74 instead of the $94 and obviously it's better insurance coverage so based on principle I'll escalate it if they don't honor it, especially knowing I qualify to be grand-fathered in.

Our big cruise next year on the 11 night Norway/Iceland/Scotland cruise will surely be a doozy for insurance but I'm not prepared to add it now as I'm not 100% committed until I see and know what our airfare will be. I have an amount in mind based on years of just checking for fun so if it's a lot more, we'll have to bail so I don't want to add the insurance yet now, for nothing as it wouldn't be "cheap".

If I felt more "for sure" about a cruise, I'd likely go ahead and add it now for the lower rate and greater coverage.

Heather

 

[pillow]

Hi Jodie

Did you get yours straightened out? I would call them to confirm and then I'd print everything you see as a backup!

My update - I was called back and I was advised I had to send an email as it couldn't be changed with the phone reps. She was able to confirm the information and did seem a lot more knowledgeable. Clearly they've received feedback but, she said a few times, "I'm not sure how long we'll be able to give the old quotes". I find that odd but clearly that goes along with what you all have said, seems to keep changing.

She did quote me $74 instead of the $94 and obviously it's better insurance coverage so based on principle I'll escalate it if they don't honor it, especially knowing I qualify to be grand-fathered in.

Our big cruise next year on the 11 night Norway/Iceland/Scotland cruise will surely be a doozy for insurance but I'm not prepared to add it now as I'm not 100% committed until I see and know what our airfare will be. I have an amount in mind based on years of just checking for fun so if it's a lot more, we'll have to bail so I don't want to add the insurance yet now, for nothing as it wouldn't be "cheap".

If I felt more "for sure" about a cruise, I'd likely go ahead and add it now for the lower rate and greater coverage.

Heather

I've checked airfare for that Norway cruise several times (this year's rates of course), and its SO HIGH due to flying in and out of different airports. Honestly, I really hate to cancel the cruise cause I feel like I've got a deal in terms of price - at least compared to current prices. But Alaska is just more feasible for us + my DD is really excited about Alaska. So, I suppose I will be canceling the Norway 11 nighter. You're in NC right? Do you fly out of RDU?

I didn't get the insurance yet for grandma - just too many things can happen between now and PIF date of 1/7. I think I'll just wait and get it right before the sail date - even if I have to pay more.

Jodie

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I've checked airfare for that Norway cruise several times (this year's rates of course), and its SO HIGH due to flying in and out of different airports. Honestly, I really hate to cancel the cruise cause I feel like I've got a deal in terms of price - at least compared to current prices. But Alaska is just more feasible for us + my DD is really excited about Alaska. So, I suppose I will be canceling the Norway 11 nighter. You're in NC right? Do you fly out of RDU?

I didn't get the insurance yet for grandma - just too many things can happen between now and PIF date of 1/7. I think I'll just wait and get it right before the sail date - even if I have to pay more.

Jodie

Yes, I know $1500 p/p appears to be the norm so I'm hoping it's not dramatically more. It feels like the best route and easiest is to fly RT into London and then take like SAS from London to Copenhagen. Great memory - yes live in NC and will have to connect through RDU or CLT likely. USAIRways seems to be the most logical so we'll see. Yes, had we not done last Alaska summer you know I'd be all over it again It's still our favorite cruise by far so if you go that route - you are in for a real treat so I can't blame you one bit!! I don't blame you either with waiting on the insurance a bit since your PIF is 1/7.

You know I'd still love to have you on the Norway cruise so you keep me posted!

Heather

 

[pillow]

Heather, I know this is off-topic, but there was a great article in our paper today about the best time to buy airfare - interesting that it is WAY in advance for summer Europe. Sharing . . .

http://www.timesdispatch.com/busine...cle_7345dbaa-de0c-11e3-948a-0017a43b2370.html

Jodie