| amyb |
Nov 10th, 2020 05:14 AM |
Now that all has been resolved for this year, I feel like I can breathe and share my experiences.
Flights on JetBlue to Chicago and Las Vegas -- fully refunded, even though I booked months before COVID and their subsequent refund window. Just took a phone call and a very nice agent. All hotels were refundable if cancelled at least 24 hours ahead, so no loss there.
JetBlue Vacation (air and hotel) to Cleveland -- airfare refunded, but Marriott would only offer a credit for the hotel. It was only 2 nights, and we can use that anywhere.
The Ends in "0" Birthday Splurge Zambia Safari -- this was more complicated. I booked it March 2019 for August 2020. Initial deposit of $3500, balance of $12,000 was due 6/30/2020. Airfare was Business Class on Emirates. I only insured the safari itinerary cost, not the airfare, since Business Class can get a refund for a $400 fee. June 30th came around and since Zambia was still closed to tourists, the safari planner let me defer the final payment until 8/1/2020 to see if Zambia was going to open up. Found out trip insurance wasn't going to cover COVID (obviously, none did) but my Dad went into hospice care the week before my final payment was due, so I got the medical forms filled out by his doctors, filed the claim 7/31/20 and received the check for the deposit last week. Emirates gave me a fee-free refund on the airfare either due to COVID or a schedule change on my original flights, not sure which. So in the end I'm really only "out" the $700 the trip insurance cost me. But so much better than what could have been lost.
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