Sad situation... Need help?

[Karenj2]

My cousin is losing his 11 year old daughter to cancer, most likely very soon. I want to be there for him when it happens, but we have a trip planned starting March 3.

Maybe someone else has been in a similar situation and can help answer some questions?

1) Should I (can I) get trip insurance through my TA this close to the trip? (And would that really help at all?)

2) If the funeral affects the beginning or end of our trip, and we had to fly out of (or to) Pittsburgh (where the girl's mom lives) instead of Philly, would it make more sense to call our current airline and change the flights, or could we book a one-way from Pittsburgh via SWA (where I have FF points)? (If I did the SWA thing, would we lose our return flight on US Air?)

3) If the funeral is during our trip, my DH suggested that I could go do a one-day trip while he and our DD stayed at WDW with our friends. Again, I could do that easily with the SWA points, but how could I get to the airport? Could I use ME?

Anyway, please don't be too harsh on me - I'm already feeling like dog-doo for worrying about my trip being messed up when my cousin's daughter is DYING, but I'm trying to be practical...

 

[Disney-Chick]

I am sorry for you predicatment. It is a very touchy subject and a hard call to make. As this trip has been planned for sometime I would assume, im sure your cousin is aware that you will be away. I think that you flying out for the funeral yourself and then going back is a good idea but looking into insurance wouldn't be a bad idea as well. It may turn out that your cousin's daughter does not pass away until after your trip or even before so it may all work out on it's own.

I know that you feel bad for worrying about your trip but you can't put your life on hold waiting for this sweet little girl to pass. I don't want to sound harsh either but that is life.

I do believe you could use ME should you need to take a flight but I would call Disney and just confirm. Always good to have your ducks in a row.

I am so sorry to hear about your cousin's daughter.

 

[kathie859]

I agree with the poster above. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Sorry you have to deal with this and for your poor cousin.

 

[3happydancers]

My cousin is losing his 11 year old daughter to cancer, most likely very soon. I want to be there for him when it happens, but we have a trip planned starting March 3.

Maybe someone else has been in a similar situation and can help answer some questions?

1) Should I (can I) get trip insurance through my TA this close to the trip? (And would that really help at all?)

2) If the funeral affects the beginning or end of our trip, and we had to fly out of (or to) Pittsburgh (where the girl's mom lives) instead of Philly, would it make more sense to call our current airline and change the flights, or could we book a one-way from Pittsburgh via SWA (where I have FF points)? (If I did the SWA thing, would we lose our return flight on US Air?)



3) If the funeral is during our trip, my DH suggested that I could go do a one-day trip while he and our DD stayed at WDW with our friends. Again, I could do that easily with the SWA points, but how could I get to the airport? Could I use ME?

Anyway, please don't be too harsh on me - I'm already feeling like dog-doo for worrying about my trip being messed up when my cousin's daughter is DYING, but I'm trying to be practical...

First, I don't think you are dog-doo. And I am sooooo sorry to hear about such bad news. It's bad enough when we lose an adult member of our family but to lose a child, I am lost for words .

I am sorry I don't have any advice other than I know others who have benefited from trip insurance (this might cover immediate family only).

I am not familiar with US Air policies. You might want to give them a call and explain the situation and inquire about their policies.

If the funeral is at the beginning of your vacation, then flying from Pittsburg might be an option using SWA (but you would still have to inquire about your present flights with US Air). US Air might have penalty fees.

If this occurs during your vacation, then depending on how you feel about leaving your family for a day or two, may work too. I don't think you can use ME (unless they allow this for a small fee). You can give them a call too. I am sorry I don't have the number off hand but someone on the boards might, or just call Disney; I am sure they could help. Otherwise, using a cab or car service might be your best bet.

Maybe someone else on the boards has better input.

Again I am very sorry to hear such terrible news. Try to stay strong.

 

[Green Tea]

The health concern is preexisting, and most trip policies only cover preexisting if bought within the first couple of weeks of initial deposit for the trip. I don't think it will help in this instance

If you have a roundtrip ticket on US Airways and miss the first leg, yes the whole ticket is cancelled. You can call and change for $150 before the start of the trip (Plus the difference in ticket cost)

 

[Disney Addicted]

I'm afraid I can't offer you any advice on this either.

I just wanted to say how sorry for your cousin's family & your's loss. Death is hard enough, but a child's is so much worse!

 

[elf]

I'm sorry too, it's very sad.
Unfortunately I don't think trip insurance will cover this. But when you call to ask, I would ask very specific questions. I think it has to be immediate family and I think you would need copy of the death cert. and I think that would be to wierd to ask for.

 

[jmkst58]

I agree that you should not feel badly. Blessings to you and your dear family. Saying I'm sorry is not enough, but it is all I can offer. I'm so so sorry for all of you.

do not worry about ME being a problem. we once flew down and MIL picked us up at the airport and then something happened and at the last minute we had to call and have ME take us back to the airport. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM AT ALL.

if you are staying in a disney resort and need a ride to the airport-- they will take care of you- i do know that.

just call your front desk and explain- they will go out of their way to arrange it for you.

i'm sorry that I can't offer advice on any of the others. i hope knowing ME is there if you need it helps. I wish nothing but beautiful blessings for all of you through this.


btw- my beautiful daughter is 11yo and i cannot imagine how horrible this is for all of you.

 

[peekinglemer]

No advice but I also wanted to say how sorry I am about your cousin and her child. So heartbreaking. You have nothing to feel bad about. Hugs all around.

 

[DawnM]

I had to change a flight because my 29 year old cousin died in an accident. She was family and they still wouldn't cut me a break and I had trip insurance. They said it had to be immediate family, extended family didn't even count.

Dawn

 

[tinka-belle]

Trip ins. would only cover for immediate family, so that won't help you.

Yes, ME will take you back to the airport, just need one day's notice to get you on the schedule. Each person is entitled to one roundtrip within their trip dates.

Airlines are not the easiest to deal with, have a backup plan for a one way back home on SW if need be. If US Airways allows a change they would impose their change fee plus the fare difference, would most likely end up costing more than a normal one way ticket. If you miss your first flight (or any flight on an itinerary), all subsequent flights are cancelled, so be aware of that too. Disney is usually more than helpful in these cases, but they have no influence on the airlines.

If you have to change plans before your trip call the airline as soon as you know. Again, change fees plus fare difference, but at least you can use some of the value of your air tickets.

Don't be hard on yourself. It's better to know what your options are ahead of time if you need to make a change to your trip under such stressful circumstances. Better to have contingency plans made and not need to use them than to try to change your trip midway through when stressed out and concerned for your cousin.

 

[of2dbeach]

I am very sorry for what you are going through. dont be too hard on yourself. maybe this should be posted in the Disabilities thread. they have helped me very much there with other issues. they are good at brainstorming and finding loop holes.. great big hugs to you

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Go to Insuremytrip.com sometimes you can find insurance that will cover cancellation or interuption for any reason. It is more expensive of course but if it is available for you it could be something to consider. Make sure you read the fine print though. I am sorry to hear about your cousin I'll pray that she and her family may have comfort and peace during this.

 

[quirty30]

Go to Insuremytrip.com sometimes you can find insurance that will cover cancellation or interuption for any reason. It is more expensive of course but if it is available for you it could be something to consider. Make sure you read the fine print though. I am sorry to hear about your cousin I'll pray that she and her family may have comfort and peace during this.

I believe that most insurance which allows you to cancel for any reason, must be purchased within 10-21 days of your initial payment. It's probably not a viable option now.

OP, so sorry about your cousin's daughter. Something to keep in mind is that those who grieve are usually surrounded by friends and loved ones immediately after a death. Sometimes in the weeks and months that follow, that support often dwindles. God forbid the worst happens while you are gone, but if it does, and you are unable to attend the funeral, you can be there in other ways for your cousin when you return, perhaps at a time when they need you most.

 

[kadesha]

I have no advice, just wanted to say I'm sorry about the whole situation. So sad!

 

[Pre]

OP, so sorry about your cousin's daughter. Something to keep in mind is that those who grieve are usually surrounded by friends and loved ones immediately after a death. Sometimes in the weeks and months that follow, that support often dwindles. God forbid the worst happens while you are gone, but if it does, and you are unable to attend the funeral, you can be there in other ways for your cousin when you return, perhaps at a time when they need you most.

OP, so sorry about your family,it is hard situation to be in for everyone.

I Left for WDW two days after my great aunt passed. In my case like PP said those who were grieving where surrounded by people who loved them. When I came back a week later the funeral still hadn't been planned and my cousin needed someone to help. I found out that because I had de-stressed I was able to help her much better ( and honestly I was able to handle my cousins mood swings). Be there for your cousin but destress so you can be there for her after everyone else leaves.

 

[mama2ella]

I believe that most insurance which allows you to OP, so sorry about your cousin's daughter. Something to keep in mind is that those who grieve are usually surrounded by friends and loved ones immediately after a death. Sometimes in the weeks and months that follow, that support often dwindles. God forbid the worst happens while you are gone, but if it does, and you are unable to attend the funeral, you can be there in other ways for your cousin when you return, perhaps at a time when they need you most.

I agree! You have a big heart and I know you want to be there but I am sure your cousin would understand and maybe all 3 of you could go visit later on?

 

[Kellydelly]

I would continue with your current plans. You can be there for your cousin at any time before or after the loss, the funeral doesn't have to be the only time you show support. I would imagine he will be surrounded by people during the loss but not so much after. You can make a bigger difference to him if you are there when everyone else is gone. The other thing is that you can't put a timer on death, you just don't know how soon it may be, or how long it may drag out.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

I am very sorry to hear about your cousin & daughter. This is very sad news. Naturally it is weighing on your mind, you are not dog-doo, you are probably deep down feeling guilty that you have this wonderful trip with your family while sadly your cousin is facing what no parent wants to ever have to deal with.

There isn't anything you can do about the timing other than to be as supportive as you for your cousin right now. You have no way of knowing when the inevitable may occur but it's probably too late to purchase any trip insurance.

I had checked into trip insurance & for airfare, it has to be purchased within 14 days of ticket purchases. The place I checked said immediate family was parents, spouse, children, aunts/uncles but specifically not cousins. Only if your cousin was booked on the same trip could it cover them as they would be considered your travel companion.

Sadly it may or may not happen before, during or after your trip so can't really do anything until something does happen. Then it will depend upon what plans you made. If you booked a WDW package, they have a 45 day out cancelation policy prior to arrival of $200. If a room only, a 5 day cancelation policy losing the first night deposit. Under the circumstances, you can always call WDW to see if they can work something out for you.

Airlines vary, usually you pay a $75 & up change fee prior to leaving and then they will keep the difference in your fare as a credit that you can use on a later purchase, paying the difference in the fare at time of booking. At least you wouldn't lose all of your money.

I think the best advice posted was to plan to go on your trip & then if the child passes prior to your trip, then contact WDW to see what they can do for you but the airline most likely won't bend. Perhaps your family could go as planned with you flying down late being the only one to pay the change fee. Talk to your airline to find out what option they could help you with if you have to come back early, &/or book a round trip flight in them middle of your trip. You could check these rates on-line before you leave to have an idea of what cost to expect. And you can always opt to spend extra time with your cousin when you get home if you can't make other arrangements. I know that isn't your optimal choice but it may be the most logical, even if not your preferred emotional choice.

Again, my sympathies for having to consider these kinds of alternatives. This is very sad news.

 

[SplashMo]

SWA can be a great way to travel as they are very flexible with their tickets if you pay enough for them. Also frequent flyer miles afford you a lot of flexibility at this time. It is much cheaper to use frequent flyer miles at the last minute in my expereince.

You are awesome! Best Wishes to you.