Pros and Cons booking airfair through Disney and travel insurance....

[dalayney]

We've looked at booking through disney and including airfair in the whole package, and booking through expedia, etc. They are both about the same price. (we don't want to fly spirit, so not looking at the obviously major cheaper seats)

If booking through disney? Where would I get my travel ins. for the airfair? Is it different than travel ins. you get for your vacation package?

What are the pros and cons for each?


ANd if you know of other threads talking about them, could you point me in that direction? I've tried searching, but am not coming up w/much.

We are booking this wednesday for a vacation THIS feb 24th-March 5th. (yep, last minute!)

Thank you so so much for any help.

 

[bjscheel]

I booked airfare through my Disney package once as it was about the same price as getting it myself. I don't know how travel insurance is affected, but after that I would just as soon book directly with the air carrier. It was a few years ago, but it seems like it was more difficult getting notices of time changes in the flights.

I like to book hotels and air directly with the hotel or carrier instead of having a middleman.

 

[a1tinkfans]

booking air thru disney is typically to no advantage unless you just dont want to do it yourself. They have certain carriers they use and that generally cuts down on both availability (at this late date prob more so) and increased costs. You are also at their choice of time, stops etc, so be sure that they know what you want. You will def get a better rate yourself, especially if you are lucky enough to be anywhere near sw which will get you a discounted fare.
personally Id never book thru them for air.
As far as insurance, you can go to insure my trip dot com and compare prices, you basically just need to read exclusions and be sure to include your entire trips cost, not just air for it to be valid. have used them and no issues.
Typically a last minute trip can cost more or have less "choices' just due to simple availability and such. Other places you get deals last minute, not really for disney, lol.
Did you price it out yourself on the website just so you can get an idea?
You may wanna also check the rehab schedule for your visit, nothing worse than staying somewhere and the pool is closed or an attraction etc atleast be prepared.
Best of Luck and have a great trip

 

[GenieCat]

MouseSavers has information about travel insurance here.

 

[Jewel3k]

From the research I did last year, the Disney travel insurance covered air fair no matter how you booked it. Some travel insurance had to be purchased with in a Crain time frame of the air fair to cover it. Disney's did not.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

There was a CNN article last week that said that some of the best travel deals this year will be found by booking complete packages (airfare and hotel) together. It will be interesting to see if that is true.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

My last trip I booked my flight through Disney. It was on Airtran and I'd seen lots of people posting on here and the transportation board how so many flights had gone down in price and to check yours because you could call and get the difference back in credit. I called Disney and asked them about it, they said "No, it'd be up to the airline to give you the money or credit back", so I called Airtran. They also said no because "technically you don't own the reservation, Disney does. You paid Disney, and they paid us and since it's under their account we would have no way to put any credit into your name".

 

[dalayney]

Thanks for the answers so far.

Yes, we've priced everything out a dozen times w/disney, and pricing it getting just reservations/tickets and airfair separate. (we're staying at the carribean)

So far, money wise, the flights are about the same. We're flying out of Ohare, so I will go check Southwest.

Honestly, I haven't flown since 2005, so booking airfair can be so overwhelming for someone who doesn't do it often.

I've looked at travel ins. also, and I guess I just need to call and have it explained to me, as it always says a 14 day window. (14 day window? then it's no good? ) we'll be booking at 17 days out.

As far as attractions down, just splash mountain. (believe me, we are very about that, but not quite enough to wait on our vacation)

Again, thanks for the answers so far.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

My last trip I booked my flight through Disney. It was on Airtran and I'd seen lots of people posting on here and the transportation board how so many flights had gone down in price and to check yours because you could call and get the difference back in credit. I called Disney and asked them about it, they said "No, it'd be up to the airline to give you the money or credit back", so I called Airtran. They also said no because "technically you don't own the reservation, Disney does. You paid Disney, and they paid us and since it's under their account we would have no way to put any credit into your name".

AirTran wouldn't give you back your money anyway. SW would give you a credit for the difference to use one year from purchase.

 

[mommyrants]

Southwest does not fly out of ORD, only MDW. They do fly out of Milwaukee though, and it is often cheaper.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

No I know it would have been a credit. I was just repeating what the phone center CM told me.