Second guessing booking the trip

[SKFamily]

Now we're in a bind. First there's Air Canada's woes - which don't seem to be improving. So that affects our flight. If that wasn't enough to cause me stress - the house we're renting is up for sale. Technically it has been all along, but the landlord wasn't in a big hurry to sell, really. It was for sale if they got the right price because his Dad was still alive. Well, his Dad died a week and half ago, and they're showing the house on Monday. They can't actually sell it for another 4 - 6 weeks when the estate settles, and then it goes on the market. But of course what would have been a downpayment is tied up in the Disney trip. Like I said - they weren't in a hurry, we thought we had time after the trip to save the down payment.

Now my stomach is in knots. I just can't see telling the kids we're cancelling the trip. Which we have to finish paying for this week - I don't know if I should do that, either with the trouble Air Canada is in. Or... cancel the trip and buy the house, and then save towards a trip next year. Our 13 year old would be incredibly disappointed, besides the fact I have no idea how much we lose if we cancel for reasons other than in the cancellation insurance.

Arrrggghhh!

 

[Bete]

swing a downpayment I would cancel the trip. If you're money out you will have to balance that out with moving expenses, etc. if you don't get this house. If you like the house and it suits you it would be ridiculous to give it up. You know this was coming and there's always another time for a trip. Children don't like giving up their friends either and by moving you may have to do it.

You know your situation better then anyone but a moment of glory for a trip is not worth a lifetime of regrets not having a roof over your head. I'm a big believer in owning your own home. I'd start getting info on what's what with cancelling the trip. First things first has to be your motto.

 

[SKFamily]

Actually we didn't know this was coming like this. Technically the house was for sale, but only for the price they're asking which is way too much - hence the reason one of the nicer houses in town sat empty and for sale for two years, even when people were looking. (In a town of 350 people, everybody knew what the house was like and how much was being asked. When we moved to town numerous people advised us that it is way overpriced and that's why it was still empty)

Now that I've got some coffee in my system, I think that if we talk to the landlord, we should be okay. Plus, we have first option to meet any offer made which could easily chase off prospective buyers. It's not the kind of town people are fighting to come to and I could be worrying about nothing. Still, it's an un-planned glitch but one that we can work out with some level headed thinking, instead of my first instinct to panic. My biggest problem yesterday and this morning was that just last week the landlord told me that it would be "at least a few months" before anything changed. A few months is what we need so I wasn't worried about it.

 

[Amberle3]

Please do not worry about the Air Canada situation. First of all, they've been in this situation before. Second of all, Canadian air transportation is not at all like the US system - as mentioned before the government is not about to allow the only national carrier to abruptly cease operations. If it comes down to it they'll foot the bill until a buyer is found to ensure the operations carry on. Almost all the "big" US airlines are in major difficulty, much worse than Air Canada. Delta is about to file bankruptcy AGAIN.

If you cancel your trip for reasons other than those listed by your insurance you will not be reimbursed for anything that you have already paid. If Air Canada does for whatever reason cease operations before your trip and an alternate carrier is not put into place, then you should get your money back. If they do it while you're on your trip and an alternate carrier is not in place by your return date then it will pay for your hotel and meals while arrangements are made to get you home. Just make sure that your insurance includes supplier default - if you don't know then call your TA and have them check it out.

And, assuming it does cover default AND AC does in fact go belly up while you're away, for heavens sake call your TA and have THEM deal with the arrangements. That's their job. If it's a weekend and they're closed then the insurance company may be able to make arrangements for you - I know that Travelguard has a 24hr help desk for such things. But believe me, there are worse places to be stuck than at Disneyland! And if someone is looking after your arranements and your hotel and food is being paid for, then look at it as an unplanned extension of your vacation.

 

[SKFamily]

Thanks Amberle3. I don't know how much of my stress is coming from AC, and how much from the situation with the house. Or, from feeling like an idiot for booking a trip instead of putting the money away for the house. (yes, there it is....)

But you confirmed one thing I thought - if we cancel for reasons other than in the policy, it wouldn't do us any good for the house anyway. So there's no point in even entertaining that thought.

And yes, I'll leave the AC thing up to the TA. She's paid (partially) to worry about that for us, right? At this point I wouldn't mind being stranded in Disneyland.

Since I can't do anything about the house until tomorrow, I might as well just make sure it's ready to be "shown". Then again, maybe I shouldn't do anything between now and tomorrow - might make it less desireable. .

 

[Amberle3]

The only other advice I have is not to let the trip be a source of stress. This is a chance to relax, to escape, and to get away from your everyday lives. As already discussed the money is already spent and cancelling because of worry is not going to get your money back. Travelguard does have a "cancel for any reason" benefit that would get I think $250 back, but I don't know what company your insurance is with.

Personally I'd be getting ready to move and packing things up as early possible. You already know that a move is going to happen at some point in the semi-near future, might as well we ready for it. Anything that isn't normally used (like the good china etc) can be packed up at any time. That way when you do have to make the move it's one less thing to worry about.

If you are in the midst/beginning/end of an "accommodation transition" when your trip hits, then try and look upon your trip as a break from the craziness of the move.

As a travel agent I specialize in Disney and Las Vegas. I like to tell people that I specialize in breaks from reality If you can manage to leave the stress at home and let Disney encompass you, you'll have a fantastic time.

 

[SKFamily]

Turns out the landlord can't even legally sell the house right now, for more than just settling the estate. The widow has homestead rights and she won't sign them over. And the landlord assured me yesterday that if we're serious about buying and just need some time, they won't sell it out from underneath us.

Phew!