Travel Changes?

[laceltris3]

I'm really in a quandary on what to do about our trip this July to Italy and Switzerland. The PIF date is 3/24, so I need to decide soon. Losing the deposit is not fun, however, from what I've seen on this thread, ABD can't seem to be trusted to make the right decisions on canceling trips. Things could improve dramatically by July, but they may not. I feel bad complaining about not being able to go on an expensive vacation while this crisis is unfolding. But this is a safe place to vent to people who are in the same predicament.

It *may* be fine by July. I haven't cancelled my France trip for the end of June. But I also know that I have until 30 days out to PIF and can still cancel with 100% credit for future travel with a business that has my goodwill (Tauck).

Given ABD's handling, there is NO WAY I would PIF on a trip with them. This March 13 England/France handling is a disgrace. I mean, If they changed PIF dates and cancellation policies in the next 10 days, maybe, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I just got back to the US from London 13 days ago. No covid19/illness yet (knock on wood!), and I am "immunocompromised" due to some medicines I take! I'm sure you'll be fine, enjoy your trip!

I'm same as you, did your Dr give you any direction? Mine was oddly quiet when I asked if there was an action plan for high risk such as us and when I texted back a few vague questions a hospital staff nurse stepped in and redirected me - it was weird

 

[TXTransplant]

The PIF date for our Nat Geo Alaska trip was last week, and I did so with no hesitation. It's a week later, and I'm feeling anxious - about the trip, about the fact that we have two cases in my immediate area, about the fact that my son is with his dad out of state (flies home on Sunday), about the fact that school will probably be cancelled next week (and probably the week after that)...

The last 24 hours have totally shifted the mood in my area.

The Nat Geo trip is June 3-10. I've received no communication from them at all, but I figure they have plenty of other customers with imminent trips that need their attention. At this point, I'm telling myself that, if things get worse, Nat Geo will cancel and I'll get my $ back. That's about all I can do.

 

[sayhello]

I just read via a very reliable source on fb that ABD are offering folks with trips through May 31st the option to move your trip to another date. (it didn't say if it was another date of the same itinerary, or if you could switch). You must make this decision before your current trip date. You also have the option to park the money, but have to move that money to a trip by Dec 31, 2020, or you forfeit it. If you got an EBD, you get to keep it, but it sounds like, other than that, your new trip will be booked at the current going rate (but if there is a current discount that is better than the EBD, you'll get the better deal). Any money left over after re-booking will be refunded after you re-book.

Full refunds are only being offered if ABD cancels the trip.

People whose trips fall in this timeframe should hear from ABD soon (or their TAs should).

I haven't gotten anything official yet.

Sayhello

 

[laceltris3]

I just read via a very reliable source on fb that ABD are offering folks with trips through May 31st the option to move your trip to another date. (it didn't say if it was another date of the same itinerary, or if you could switch). You must make this decision before your current trip date. You also have the option to park the money, but have to move that money to a trip by Dec 31, 2020, or you forfeit it. If you got an EBD, you get to keep it, but it sounds like, other than that, your new trip will be booked at the current going rate (but if there is a current discount that is better than the EBD, you'll get the better deal). Any money left over after re-booking will be refunded after you re-book.

Full refunds are only being offered if ABD cancels the trip.

People whose trips fall in this timeframe should hear from ABD soon (or their TAs should).

I haven't gotten anything official yet.

Sayhello

This seems to be another reason for me to continue to hate ABD's dynamic pricing and EBDs. And it's still not great with a 12/31/20 limit, given that no one knows how this is going to go down, especially if all of summer vacation is impacted.

 

[morgan98]

How is your husband now? Safe I hope

My husband arrived home to Atlanta on late Monday night and is self quarantining for 14 days. He feels fine. I am working from home out of abundance of caution. I don't want to be that person.

I was supposed to be flying to Milan today, as a matter of fact.

It has been a crazy three weeks for us at this house for sure.

 

[Theta]

I just read via a very reliable source on fb that ABD are offering folks with trips through May 31st the option to move your trip to another date. (it didn't say if it was another date of the same itinerary, or if you could switch). You must make this decision before your current trip date. You also have the option to park the money, but have to move that money to a trip by Dec 31, 2020, or you forfeit it. If you got an EBD, you get to keep it, but it sounds like, other than that, your new trip will be booked at the current going rate (but if there is a current discount that is better than the EBD, you'll get the better deal). Any money left over after re-booking will be refunded after you re-book.

Full refunds are only being offered if ABD cancels the trip.

People whose trips fall in this timeframe should hear from ABD soon (or their TAs should).

I haven't gotten anything official yet.

Sayhello

I wonder if I park my money and then book for next year when the new dates are released, would this be considered the "one time transfer" of deposit or would I be eligible to move it again to a different date if need be.

 

[lovetotravel]

I just read via a very reliable source on fb that ABD are offering folks with trips through May 31st the option to move your trip to another date. (it didn't say if it was another date of the same itinerary, or if you could switch). You must make this decision before your current trip date. You also have the option to park the money, but have to move that money to a trip by Dec 31, 2020, or you forfeit it. If you got an EBD, you get to keep it, but it sounds like, other than that, your new trip will be booked at the current going rate (but if there is a current discount that is better than the EBD, you'll get the better deal). Any money left over after re-booking will be refunded after you re-book.

Full refunds are only being offered if ABD cancels the trip.

People whose trips fall in this timeframe should hear from ABD soon (or their TAs should).

I haven't gotten anything official yet.

Sayhello

Thanks for posting! Can’t wait to read the details. Too bad my trips are after May 31!

 

[sayhello]

When I took my first ABD a few years ago, this was the unofficial policy, although it is contradicted by the actual terms and conditions, and I got no pushback when I moved my deposit. I tried to park my deposit this year, a week or so ago, before my paid in full date and was flatly and repeatedly told no, and had the terms and conditions repeatedly cited to me. Only after we escalated to a supervisor (and after spending probably 6-7 additional hours on the phone and on hold) did ABD relent and give us a placeholder date. It was unreal, and contrary to the high level of customer service I have received from Disney and ABD in the past.

Wow! That's been their policy for years now! I didn't really realize it was "unofficial"!

I wonder if I park my money and then book for next year when the new dates are released, would this be considered the "one time transfer" of deposit or would I be eligible to move it again to a different date if need be.

Seeing as the above post by JEJ indicates that ABD is balking at honoring their previous "one time transfer" unofficial policy, I wouldn't count on it.

Sayhello

 

[Cliffside]

I just read via a very reliable source on fb that ABD are offering folks with trips through May 31st the option to move your trip to another date. (it didn't say if it was another date of the same itinerary, or if you could switch). You must make this decision before your current trip date. You also have the option to park the money, but have to move that money to a trip by Dec 31, 2020, or you forfeit it. If you got an EBD, you get to keep it, but it sounds like, other than that, your new trip will be booked at the current going rate (but if there is a current discount that is better than the EBD, you'll get the better deal). Any money left over after re-booking will be refunded after you re-book.

Full refunds are only being offered if ABD cancels the trip.

People whose trips fall in this timeframe should hear from ABD soon (or their TAs should).

I haven't gotten anything official yet.

Sayhello

Do you have to travel by 12/31/20 or just book it. If it is travel that is not enough time. I have heard of no other travel company giving less than a year to use it.

I thought I would be booking more ABD’s after this one, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen. Tauck and Viking seem to be much customer service oriented. I guess my Disney bubble has burst.

 

[sayhello]

Do you have to travel by 12/31/20 or just book it. If it is travel that is not enough time. I have heard of no other travel company giving less than a year to use it.

I thought I would be booking more ABD’s after this one, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen. Tauck and Viking seem to be much customer service oriented. I guess my Disney bubble has burst.

My understanding is you have to *book* it by 12/31/2020.

Sayhello

 

[laceltris3]

Do you have to travel by 12/31/20 or just book it. If it is travel that is not enough time. I have heard of no other travel company giving less than a year to use it.

I thought I would be booking more ABD’s after this one, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen. Tauck and Viking seem to be much customer service oriented. I guess my Disney bubble has burst.

Hmmmm... the refund of the excess makes me wonder if a work around would be to switch to a much cheaper trip, like SoCal short escape, so you could get the excess refunded and have less at risk with ABD.

 

[sayhello]

Hmmmm... the refund of the excess makes me wonder if a work around would be to switch to a much cheaper trip, like SoCal short escape, so you could get the excess refunded and have less at risk with ABD.

I'm not positive from the wording if it's "move to another date of the same trip" or "move to another trip and date". I think they're accounting for moving from a departure that had gone up in price to a departure that hadn't, or was currently discounted. But it's ambiguous. I'm hoping the official communication is more detailed.

Sayhello

 

[BrerNashville]

Do you have to travel by 12/31/20 or just book it. If it is travel that is not enough time. I have heard of no other travel company giving less than a year to use it.

I thought I would be booking more ABD’s after this one, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen. Tauck and Viking seem to be much customer service oriented. I guess my Disney bubble has burst.

I just got my email giving me this opportunity. I have the same question -- does travel have to be completed by 12/31/20, or just booked. If the former, that's not much of a "deal".

Wow, not on hold very long. Just has to be *booked* by 12/31/2020.

 

[Theta]

Do you have to travel by 12/31/20 or just book it. If it is travel that is not enough time. I have heard of no other travel company giving less than a year to use it.

I thought I would be booking more ABD’s after this one, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen. Tauck and Viking seem to be much customer service oriented. I guess my Disney bubble has burst.

Here is the exact wording, sounds like you have to make your decision by 12/31/2020:

Additionally, we are offering a temporary adjustment to our Adventure Vacation Date Change Policy to provide more flexibility for our guests. Guests currently booked on Adventures through May 31 can change their reservation up until the day before arrival and receive a 100% credit to be used toward a future Adventure. Guests may select a new travel date and/or an alternate Adventure by December 31, 2020, by calling the telephone number above. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply.

 

[BrerNashville]

In other words, the trip can be in 2021 as long as you book it by 12/31/20.

They will "park" your money until 12/31, so you don't have to pick a new trip until you do (must pick it by 12/31/2020)

 

[lovetotravel]

Here is the exact wording, sounds like you have to make your decision by 12/21/2020:

Additionally, we are offering a temporary adjustment to our Adventure Vacation Date Change Policy to provide more flexibility for our guests. Guests currently booked on Adventures through May 31 can change their reservation up until the day before arrival and receive a 100% credit to be used toward a future Adventure. Guests may select a new travel date and/or an alternate Adventure by December 31, 2020, by calling the telephone number above. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply.

Happy with any policy at this point. Hopefully they will adjust the May 31 date as needed. The "credit is non-refundable" clause is confusing to me.

 

[BrerNashville]

I'm sure it means that if you book a cheaper trip, you won't get the difference back, and not at all if you don't book one.

 

[lovetotravel]

OMG the Uniworld policy wow:

Service is simply a part of our DNA; it's who we are and one of the reasons that you have entrusted us with your time, your most valuable asset. It is also why we must share difficult news with you today. We have been closely monitoring the world's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and given recent news, we do not believe we can continue to offer the award-winning Uniworld experience you have come to expect and deserve at this time. We have therefore made the decision to suspend all European itineraries until April 23rd. If you have a vacation reservation during this temporary suspension period, please know you may rebook your travel dates to any 2020 or 2021 cruise or receive a Future Cruise Credit eligible to be used during the next 24 months.

We know this global situation has caused confusion and anxiety for many; the details of your travel plans should not add to your list of concerns. Our updated cancellation policy will allow guests more time to make decisions about upcoming travels. For bookings after April 23rd, guests can now cancel up to 14 days prior to their cruise and rebook on any 2020 or 2021 cruise without penalty or have the option to rebook with one of our TTC sister brands – from Trafalgar to Insight Vacations – for 2020 to 2021. Full details on our updated cancellation policy may be found here . Our team stands at the ready to assist you as we navigate through this process together.

 

[sayhello]

Here is the exact wording, sounds like you have to make your decision by 12/31/2020:

Additionally, we are offering a temporary adjustment to our Adventure Vacation Date Change Policy to provide more flexibility for our guests. Guests currently booked on Adventures through May 31 can change their reservation up until the day before arrival and receive a 100% credit to be used toward a future Adventure. Guests may select a new travel date and/or an alternate Adventure by December 31, 2020, by calling the telephone number above. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply.

Thanks for this. Answers a lot of questions.

Happy with any policy at this point. Hopefully they will adjust the May 31 date as needed. The "credit is non-refundable" clause is confusing to me.

My understanding is, they're trying to do this on a "rolling" basis. If they offered the deal to everyone now, they'd be inundated, and it would take hours or days to get through. So they are dealing with it in chunks. Once they get a handle on the changes through May 31st, they'll probably open it up to June or July.

Sayhello