Travel Changes?

[Jess_S]

I am still following news from Singapore because I found that I really like the tone of their news coverage. Today, they reported that their most recent infections were imported -- from France. I really hope that everything goes well for the folks on this week's ABD trip, but it certainly has all the signs of being a huge mistake to proceed.

For those tracking cancellation policies by tour provider, my parents report that Rick Steves has cancelled his tours through April and plans to assess future cancellations on a rolling basis. (They are very happy with the level of communication they received on this issue. My dad is a super anxious person, so that is high praise from him).

 

[Cliffside]

I believe, from what I've seen, that they are waiting on a CDC Level 3 declaration for a particular country before cancelling those trips. But the CDC have not changed their warning Levels in at least a week or more. None of the changes in France or the UK or the United states have been reflected on their website at all. I'm afraid that the CDC is just not going to make any changes, and are just listing general, overall warnings like "don't cruise" "only necessary flying if you're over 60" etc. I think that's a pretty narrow way for ABD to define if trips get cancelled or not, but there you go.

Sayhello

If the CDC is saying don’t cruise It boggles the mind that they have not offered any changes to their cancellation policies especially for the river cruises. However they really should be offering similar policies to their competitors for all their adventures.

This is such a stressful time for people it’s so sad that they are making it worse by not giving us any flexibility.

 

[neurosx1983]

So you booked through Amex travel? I always wondered what the cancellation policy would be for flight not booked directly with airlines. Why do you have to cancel with Amex?

BA wouldn't do anything for me over the phone so I had to call Amex travel.

and there you go -

the WHO just declared covid-19 a global pandemic

so ABD are you listening yet?

.

ABD is putting their head in the sand and not cancelling any trips, including the one I just cancelled for this week, because as @sayhello said they're waiting for the CDC to make is level 3. Stupidity. This trip is almost definitely happening because the guides have already arrived and I'm sure some people are already on a prenight. Anyway, to those that are there, please be careful. Going on a group tour, wading through crowds, getting exposed to god-knows-what at places like the Louvre or the train station is such a bad idea.

However, I want to point out something positive that happened to me just recently with ABD. As you guys know I've been calling relentlessly for several days. I've been persistent. I've always insisted on talking to a supervisor, and I've pleaded my case. One of the supervisors actually told me that she would forward my request to her superiors and see what happens. Well, I found out late yesterday that ABD had approved me to move my entire deposit to a placeholder date and use within a year. I'm very pleased with that and I feel that they should have offered that option to EVERYONE on this trip.

I'll be planning on using that for a trip this winter...maybe S america, egypt, or S Africa. Not sure if I'll be thinking about going to Europe or east asia any time soon.

I wanted to share my good news with all of you so you guys can try the same tactic. Bypass the vacationistas. They're useless. Nice people, but completely useless. Go straight to the supervisors and plead your case. I basically told them that I, as a physician, am afraid of my family's safety on the trip. I'm sure those are words no one at Disney ever wants to hear and maybe that got them to do it.

So, props to ABD for doing this for me, but I would wish that they would do it for everyone right now and not make people jump through several hoops as I did.

 

[Lalovestotravel]

I was told by the travel insurance company that if this is deemed a “pandemic” then it is “more likely” that travel insurance will cover it.

 

[Lalovestotravel]

BA wouldn't do anything for me over the phone so I had to call Amex travel.



ABD is putting their head in the sand and not cancelling any trips, including the one I just cancelled for this week, because as @sayhello said they're waiting for the CDC to make is level 3. Stupidity. This trip is almost definitely happening because the guides have already arrived and I'm sure some people are already on a prenight. Anyway, to those that are there, please be careful. Going on a group tour, wading through crowds, getting exposed to god-knows-what at places like the Louvre or the train station is such a bad idea.

However, I want to point out something positive that happened to me just recently with ABD. As you guys know I've been calling relentlessly for several days. I've been persistent. I've always insisted on talking to a supervisor, and I've pleaded my case. One of the supervisors actually told me that she would forward my request to her superiors and see what happens. Well, I found out late yesterday that ABD had approved me to move my entire deposit to a placeholder date and use within a year. I'm very pleased with that and I feel that they should have offered that option to EVERYONE on this trip.

I'll be planning on using that for a trip this winter...maybe S america, egypt, or S Africa. Not sure if I'll be thinking about going to Europe or east asia any time soon.

I wanted to share my good news with all of you so you guys can try the same tactic. Bypass the vacationistas. They're useless. Nice people, but completely useless. Go straight to the supervisors and plead your case. I basically told them that I, as a physician, am afraid of my family's safety on the trip. I'm sure those are words no one at Disney ever wants to hear and maybe that got them to do it.

So, props to ABD for doing this for me, but I would wish that they would do it for everyone right now and not make people jump through several hoops as I did.

That is great news! I am happy for you! I am currently on hold to speak with a supervisor. I pray ABD sees the risks they are taking and start to so the right thing for everyone.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

If the CDC is saying don’t cruise It boggles the mind that they have not offered any changes to their cancellation policies especially for the river cruises. However they really should be offering similar policies to their competitors for all their adventures.

This is such a stressful time for people it’s so sad that they are making it worse by not giving us any flexibility.

I agree. We’re on the second Danube sailing and I asked about switching to a different trip and was told no go. I’m hesitant to leave North America - I’d prefer to stay closer to home. I wasn’t even trying to cancel or move the trip into 2021, but they would hear nothing of it. This is my first ABD experience and likely my last.

 

[disneyholic family]

BA wouldn't do anything for me over the phone so I had to call Amex travel.



ABD is putting their head in the sand and not cancelling any trips, including the one I just cancelled for this week, because as @sayhello said they're waiting for the CDC to make is level 3. Stupidity. This trip is almost definitely happening because the guides have already arrived and I'm sure some people are already on a prenight. Anyway, to those that are there, please be careful. Going on a group tour, wading through crowds, getting exposed to god-knows-what at places like the Louvre or the train station is such a bad idea.

However, I want to point out something positive that happened to me just recently with ABD. As you guys know I've been calling relentlessly for several days. I've been persistent. I've always insisted on talking to a supervisor, and I've pleaded my case. One of the supervisors actually told me that she would forward my request to her superiors and see what happens. Well, I found out late yesterday that ABD had approved me to move my entire deposit to a placeholder date and use within a year. I'm very pleased with that and I feel that they should have offered that option to EVERYONE on this trip.

I'll be planning on using that for a trip this winter...maybe S america, egypt, or S Africa. Not sure if I'll be thinking about going to Europe or east asia any time soon.

I wanted to share my good news with all of you so you guys can try the same tactic. Bypass the vacationistas. They're useless. Nice people, but completely useless. Go straight to the supervisors and plead your case. I basically told them that I, as a physician, am afraid of my family's safety on the trip. I'm sure those are words no one at Disney ever wants to hear and maybe that got them to do it.

So, props to ABD for doing this for me, but I would wish that they would do it for everyone right now and not make people jump through several hoops as I did.

Very happy to hear they finally grew a brain!
this is all anyone is asking for. That they do what DCL is doing. Permit people to move the reservation to another time. Even better that they let you leave it open. Excellent outcome!!

.

 

[Cliffside]

BA wouldn't do anything for me over the phone so I had to call Amex travel.



ABD is putting their head in the sand and not cancelling any trips, including the one I just cancelled for this week, because as @sayhello said they're waiting for the CDC to make is level 3. Stupidity. This trip is almost definitely happening because the guides have already arrived and I'm sure some people are already on a prenight. Anyway, to those that are there, please be careful. Going on a group tour, wading through crowds, getting exposed to god-knows-what at places like the Louvre or the train station is such a bad idea.

However, I want to point out something positive that happened to me just recently with ABD. As you guys know I've been calling relentlessly for several days. I've been persistent. I've always insisted on talking to a supervisor, and I've pleaded my case. One of the supervisors actually told me that she would forward my request to her superiors and see what happens. Well, I found out late yesterday that ABD had approved me to move my entire deposit to a placeholder date and use within a year. I'm very pleased with that and I feel that they should have offered that option to EVERYONE on this trip.

I'll be planning on using that for a trip this winter...maybe S america, egypt, or S Africa. Not sure if I'll be thinking about going to Europe or east asia any time soon.

I wanted to share my good news with all of you so you guys can try the same tactic. Bypass the vacationistas. They're useless. Nice people, but completely useless. Go straight to the supervisors and plead your case. I basically told them that I, as a physician, am afraid of my family's safety on the trip. I'm sure those are words no one at Disney ever wants to hear and maybe that got them to do it.

So, props to ABD for doing this for me, but I would wish that they would do it for everyone right now and not make people jump through several hoops as I did.

That’s good to hear. But it is quite sad that they are not offering it as their policy. That is what they should be doing for everyone.

 

[neurosx1983]

That’s good to hear. But it is quite sad that they are not offering it as their policy. That is what they should be doing for everyone.

I totally agree. And maybe they didn't think I'd come on Disboards and tell everyone they did that for me. But guess what, I did!

 

[Cliffside]

I agree. We’re on the second Danube sailing and I asked about switching to a different trip and was told no go. I’m hesitant to leave North America - I’d prefer to stay closer to home. I wasn’t even trying to cancel or move the trip into 2021, but they would hear nothing of it. This is my first ABD experience and likely my last.

I keep hoping they do the right thing. But as the news gets worse they continue to put there head in the sand. I am almost at the point to cancel and at least have my 50% back. Which is so unfair because if I had booked basically the identical cruise on Ama I would have a 100% future cruise credit but I booked with Disney because of their “great” customer service. What a joke.

 

[lovetotravel]

What happens now with the pandemic and ABD?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Not sure if you guys saw this: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...t-positive-coronavirus-placed-quarantine.html

 

[neurosx1983]

France's response in general has been interesting...and maybe that's why ABD has been slow to respond by not cancelling London/Paris.
None of the major tourist attractions are closed including DLP, even now with some workers testing positive.
Contrast that to how Japan handled things...

 

[laceltris3]

The other difference is that ABD *only* made that change for one person after receiving calls basically every day and escalating. Contrast that to the policies of the other companies that were broadly disseminated some time ago. I assume that the phone lines for those companies are a lot clearer for those who are making changes. The certainty of knowing PIF isn't until 30 days out is priceless.

FYI, I called Air France yesterday and got through immediately. They were a little sketchy on whether I could use a credit for a domestic flight on Delta, saying I would have to call to see if they could book in in their system, but did confirm that if I cancelled I had a year from now, not the purchase date to spend it, not travel. That gives me no incentive not to wait to see how bad France gets and wait until June to do anything.

I have to admit, I am thinking about 2021, and normally book about this time (if not earlier) for our summer trips the following year, but I just *can't* do it. Even though I know I will probably lose the suite we had if we try to postpone France to next year...

 

[disneyholic family]

France's response in general has been interesting...and maybe that's why ABD has been slow to respond by not cancelling London/Paris.
None of the major tourist attractions are closed including DLP, even now with some workers testing positive.
Contrast that to how Japan handled things...

by the way, i suggest you take those two ID specialists off your list of people with whom you consult in the future.
Either they weren't following what's happening in the rest of the world (negligent in their line of work), or they're unable to connect the dots.
Either way, their advice to you last week doesn't inspire confidence.
.

 

[neurosx1983]

I totally agree. I think some people have tried to downplay this, and I’m talking about other doctors. I think ultimately we all have to do what’s best for our families and be sensible about it. And I think it’s valuable to have a community like this to bounce ideas off of.

 

[Skylarr29]

We’re booked on Southeast Asia and China trips back to back later this year. Since we’re before pay in full we will just move our deposits, but more than likely we are just letting them go. Nothing about how they’ve handled this makes me confident to ever book with them again.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Nothing about how they’ve handled this makes me confident to ever book with them again.

Yeah, I feel the same way. I'm appalled the London/Paris trip is going this weekend. Unconscionably stupid decision, imo. Far too risky.

Trump is supposed to address the nation tonight, and I'm suspecting a possibly drastic response to combat the criticism he's gotten (it's an election year, you know). I seriously fear those people heading overseas might get stuck being unable to return if he shuts boarders like Italy.

 

[JEJ]

I agree. We’re on the second Danube sailing and I asked about switching to a different trip and was told no go. I’m hesitant to leave North America - I’d prefer to stay closer to home. I wasn’t even trying to cancel or move the trip into 2021, but they would hear nothing of it. This is my first ABD experience and likely my last.

Keep at it. My family is a party of 5 sailing with another party of 5. We went straight to the supervisors two weeks ago before the paid in full date for our Danube sailing this July. We were persistent and they credited our full deposit for future trips that have to be booked by August 2021.

 

[Cliffside]

Keep at it. My family is a party of 5 sailing with another party of 5. We went straight to the supervisors two weeks ago before the paid in full date for our Danube sailing this July. We were persistent and they credited our full deposit for future trips that have to be booked by August 2021.

That’s good to know...I guess I will be making some phone calls.