Change fee vs trip cancellation insurance

[ACJT]

Im booking a package trip and wont know till a couple weeks prior to date wether or not its a go. Should I take out trip cancellation insurance ... does it cover non emergency reasons..

or should I just be prepared to pay the $50 change fee.. also , how far out can I change it to.. next spring from this oct..

 

[Wood Nymph]

Im booking a package trip and wont know till a couple weeks prior to date wether or not its a go. Should I take out trip cancellation insurance ... does it cover non emergency reasons..

or should I just be prepared to pay the $50 change fee.. also , how far out can I change it to.. next spring from this oct..

Do you have to book a package? Can you just book a room only reservation now and then add tickets and dining later? If you do that you can cancel up to five days before check in date and get your money back. You can even book a room only and purchase tickets through Disney without making it a package, and both the room and tickets will be refunded in full if you cancel before the cancellation period expires. You can add dining without an extra charge up to a seven days or so ahead of check in. Then you don't have to worry about any cancellation fees.

 

[ACJT]

What's the cancellation period for tickets. If bought with the room does that not make the reservation a package subject to the 45 day rule?

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[Blonde]

I had booked a room back in October then did not purchase park tickets until February. However, when I purchased the tickets, I was told they were nonrefundable. However, they would not expire until something like 2030. So, my advice would be to book a room now and purchase the tickets at a later time. Even if you decided not to go in October and was waiting until next Spring, the tickets would still be good.

 

[Sandi]

To your original question, trip cancellation insurance policies typically don't cover "we changed our minds about going." They cover such things as illness, injuries, and legitimate work demands (that can be difficult to demonstrate). You'll need to read the policy to see if your anticipated reason will be covered. I have purchased trip insurance many times and have only needed to collect on it once (illness). But, I know what I'm buying.

On the park tickets, the reason to buy them early now is so that you can take advantage of FP+ by reserving them early. That might be important, but it might not.

 

[aaarcher86]

What's the cancellation period for tickets. If bought with the room does that not make the reservation a package subject to the 45 day rule?

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Depends. You can convert it to a package with tickets or you can buy them as a stand alone purchase. If you bought them and they refunded your room deposit and took a new $200 deposit you're now in a package. You'd probably know. They'd tell you if they changed it around on ya.

 

[DebbieB]

When people think of cancellation insurance, they think of cancelling before they go. Where it can really come in handy is if you have to leave early after you get there or if there's a medical emergency and you have to stay longer while someone is hospitalized.

 

[ACJT]

What does trip cancellation cost? How do they verify the reason to cancel?

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[KittyKat1978]

Trip Cancellation insurance cost depends on what your vacation costs and how many days prior you buy it. I looked into it and for coverage of $3500 it was going to cost me about $180.

As for the reason you cancel, if it's not a reason covered by the insurance (I am guess they will want proof of why you are cancelling ie doctors note), they won't refund your money.

I would either book room only or pay the change fee. Trip Cancellation insurance is more expensive and might not cover your reason for cancelling.

 

[ACJT]

So why not just pay the change fee ($50.00 if within 1-44 days) and move the reservation further out. Then a little later cancel it.

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[mm1971]

Im booking a package trip and wont know till a couple weeks prior to date wether or not its a go. Should I take out trip cancellation insurance ... does it cover non emergency reasons..

or should I just be prepared to pay the $50 change fee.. also , how far out can I change it to.. next spring from this oct..

Paying the change fee to move to a different date would be less expensive than cancellation insurance. They do have policies where you can cancel for any reason, I had one in February for a non-disney Int'l trip. It would be more expensive.

Why do you feel the need to book a package trip now? Is it to book ADR's? That would be the only reason I would think. You could book just the room and add the tickets later, that would be my choice.

 

[purple figment]

It might help if you explain why you want to book a package when you won't be sure you'll be going until 2 weeks before the trip. The only reason for a package is if you're planning to include a dining plan. Otherwise, you could book a room only reservation, purchase tickets separately and add them to MDE. This will allow you to book dining reservations 180 +10 and book FP+ at 60 days.

If you book a package and plan to purchase trip insurance be sure to read the fine print so you'll know exactly what reasons will be allowed. The insurance company will require proof before it reimburses you. Also, the Mickey mail we received says that if you have trip insurance through Disney the insurance premium is non-refundable if you cancel the trip. If you have trip insurance, but move the trip from fall to spring I don't know if the insurance goes with the trip or if completely changing the dates of the trip means you forfeit the premium because they'll consider it a different trip.

 

[Marthasor]

Disney typically waives the $50 change fee if, when you change your dates, the new package price is equal or more than the original. If you outright cancel, they will charge you $200. Disney's insurance is only really good if you need it while you are on the trip. Why spend $75.95 per adult if you only risk being out $200? And if you change the reservation, only possibly $50? Just don't buy any airfare before you know you are actually going. If you buy airfare and think you may cancel, for a covered reason (read the policy!), then, yes buy insurance. But don't buy it just to cover $200.

 

[smiths02]

You can buy cancel for any reason, but even on a package, Disney will give you most of your money back. So the extra expense isn't worth it.

I have looked into the cancel any reason b/c we are probably going to rent DVC which is non refundable. I believe even the policies I looked at were 80% coverage though, so I wouldn't buy unless the trip was nonrefundable.

 

[Ravenne]

Why do you feel the need to book a package trip now? Is it to book ADR's? That would be the only reason I would think. You could book just the room and add the tickets later, that would be my choice.

I could see a reason being knowing you're all set with a package and not have to worry about it, or to take advantage of a promo but in this case, where the OP doesn't even know if the trip is for certain a "go", I really don't see the benefit. Can't you still make ADRs without being in a package? Don't people who stay off site make ADRs all the time?

 

[camtheriot]

"Cancellation of Reservation - For cancellations made 45 days or more prior to guest arrival, amounts paid, minus cancellation fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers, travel insurance premiums, and other amounts owed, will be refunded. For cancellations made 2 days to 44 days prior to guest arrival, amounts paid, minus a cancellation fee of $200.00 per package and minus any cancellation fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers, travel insurance and other amounts owed, will be refunded. For cancellations made 1 day or less prior to guest arrival, the full price of the package is non-refundable."

This was taken directly from my reservation confirmation. Hope this helps

 

[ACJT]

So if I do find myself in the 2-44 day position and need to cancel... Why couldn't I just change the reservation to a later date, then call back and cancel it? Essentially it'd cost me $50 to cancel instead of $200

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[camtheriot]

So if I do find myself in the 2-44 day position and need to cancel... Why couldn't I just change the reservation to a later date, then call back and cancel it? Essentially it'd cost me $50 to cancel instead of $200

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Hhmmmm.... Not sure if that would work but I guess it's worth a try!! I would call and ask a CM first however. If in fact there is a rule in place that states they go by the original booking dates for cancellation charges, and you do decide to change your dates ($50 change fee) THEN cancel ($200 cancelation fee)... You will have paid $250 instead of $200. I would just call and ask to be safe.

 

[ACJT]

Hhmmmm.... Not sure if that would work but I guess it's worth a try!! I would call and ask a CM first however. If in fact there is a rule in place that states they go by the original booking dates for cancellation charges, and you do decide to change your dates ($50 change fee) THEN cancel ($200 cancelation fee)... You will have paid $250 instead of $200. I would just call and ask to be safe.

That's my concern. I will have to make a call I guess.

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[Ravenne]

Honestly, I'd see if you can find it in writing some where. CMs on the phone, especially of late, don't always have accurate information.