Travel insurance vs refundable plane tickets?

[japanese maple]

We spent quite a bit more on airfare last trip because I purchased refundable tickets. I was thinking for next trip - is it okay to just have travel insurance instead and spend less on the airfare?

Also, if we did cancel for whatever reason, United would give a travel credit good for one year. Is that one year from date of purchase? Or date of supposed travel? Because if we cancelled, it would be to just move the trip back a bit. Obviously we don't plan to do this, but I go over ever scenario in my head, just the way I am.

So, thoughts on one vs the other?

 

[gottalovepluto]

1 year from date of purchase. I don't think basic economy tickets can be changed at all so if you're going that route make sure to double check. If you buy travel insurance make sure you read it so you know what is and is not covered.

I'd skip both your options and book with a credit card that has travel protections, so maybe look into that. Chase Sapphire Preferred is very basic with an annual fee under $100 and it includes travel insurance protections for cancellations, interruptions and delays- all dependent on circumstances of course and that you use the card to book the fare.

 

[japanese maple]

1 year from date of purchase. I don't think basic economy tickets can be changed at all so if you're going that route make sure to double check. If you buy travel insurance make sure you read it so you know what is and is not covered.

I'd skip both your options and book with a credit card that has travel protections, so maybe look into that. Chase Sapphire Preferred is very basic with an annual fee under $100 and it includes travel insurance protections for cancellations, interruptions and delays- all dependent on circumstances of course and that you use the card to book the fare.

Thanks! It wouldn't be basic. I don't want to open another card, so I'll check what I have now. Otherwise I may just do a travel insurance, but will read what's covered. I'd want to make sure immediate family member..... covered (elderly parents for both of us).

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

OP, are you US based or an international traveller? Voucher rules can differ based on where travel originates. For UA/AA all the trip credits I've received lately have been good for 1 year from CANCELLATION. But those have been for domestic only flights

 

[japanese maple]

OP, are you US based or an international traveller? Voucher rules can differ based on where travel originates. For UA/AA all the trip credits I've received lately have been good for 1 year from CANCELLATION. But those have been for domestic only flights

Domestic, thanks!

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Domestic, thanks

I would guess in most instances regular tickets + travel insurance (either thru credit card or stand alone policy) would be more economical.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I’m pretty sure it’s 1 year from date of purchase, not cancellation. We have had issues in the past because we tend to book quite far in advance, and then were unable to use the travel credit.

 

[EACarlson]

What are you looking to have covered is the biggest question. If you're just looking to not lose the value of the plane tickets but would be able to use a credit, then you don't need to do either. Domestic travel, unless you have a ton of non-refundable costs already sunk into it, I probably wouldn't bother with either. Unless you have a credit card that covers it, many cards with annual fees of $100 or more have some kind of travel protections.

 

[japanese maple]

What are you looking to have covered is the biggest question. If you're just looking to not lose the value of the plane tickets but would be able to use a credit, then you don't need to do either. Domestic travel, unless you have a ton of non-refundable costs already sunk into it, I probably wouldn't bother with either. Unless you have a credit card that covers it, many cards with annual fees of $100 or more have some kind of travel protections.

Well, the only reason we would cancel would be some kind of emergency. I suppose I'm more concerned with when we'd use the credit.

I think we will wait a bit to buy so if we do need to cancel and the credit is from date of purchase, it would be in a time-frame we would use it.

 

[EACarlson]

Well, the only reason we would cancel would be some kind of emergency. I suppose I'm more concerned with when we'd use the credit.

I think we will wait a bit to buy so if we do need to cancel and the credit is from date of purchase, it would be in a time-frame we would use it.

United Travel Credits can be extended indefinitely by purchasing a ticket that is more than the credit so you have to add some CC funds. Then you can cancel that and the entire credit will extend to one year from the new booking date.

 

[_19disnA]

I wouldn't spend extra for 'refundable tickets' unless you are fairly certain your plans will change. We have never purchased travel insurance and don't see the need for it. Many people seem to think the cost of their entire trip will get refunded and that is generally not the case. Be sure to read the fine print and see exactly what is/isn't covered. Think about how many times your plans had to change in the past vs. what the cost of that 'insurance' would have been.

One time we had to cancel a trip when our home was damaged during a storm and needed to be there to coordinate repairs. Called the airline and they were very agreeable to letting us modify our travel plans even though the tickets supposedly didn't allow for that.

 

[Leigh L]

I’m pretty sure it’s 1 year from date of purchase, not cancellation. We have had issues in the past because we tend to book quite far in advance, and then were unable to use the travel credit.

Yes, I think so too.

United in my recent experience is date of purchase. I bought a flight last June for Labor Day. Had to change it last minute after getting Covid during my trip. Good until June.

AA is date of cancelation according to messing with it since my mother decided not to travel in a couple of weeks. I’ll be testing that a day or two before the trip

 

[Leigh L]

United Travel Credits can be extended indefinitely by purchasing a ticket that is more than the credit so you have to add some CC funds. Then you can cancel that and the entire credit will extend to one year from the new booking date.

Good to know thanks!