Fully refundable airfare or travel insurance...or both?

[PokeyMindy]

Thinking of a sister trip to Italy early Dec. Due to current global situation...we are thinking it's best to buy airline tickets which are "fully refundable". But we'd still need additional policy for medical./evacuation/baggage loss etc. but is that overkill? If we did cancel flights, getting refund SHOULD be easy directly from the airline rather then a "cancel for any reason" policy with a private insurance company. Then, purchase separately, a middle of the road coverage for medical (primary), Emergency evacuation and trip cancellation (say due to one of us unable to go). BTW, I've been reading good things about Faye, whole trip travel insurance.

It's a bit overwhelming if I'm honest! We doubt ticket prices will drop so we are hoping to purchase our tickets within the next few weeks. Thank you in advance!

Pokey-Mindy

 

[GailS]

I bought fully refundable tickets BOS-VCE to see Homo Faber in September. The refundable tickets are because my husband will not be traveling with me due to health issues. This is my first time booking fully refundable - I will not go if his condition is not stable. I am a long time Flying Blue member but booked tickets through Delta because research suggested it is easier to get a refund from them vs. Air France or KLM. Pricing was the same. You may want to do similar research on what airline you are buying tickets from in case you do need to exercise the refund option.

 

[PokeyMindy]

Thanks for your feedback I really appreciate it. Good idea checking the dependability of the airline for refunding money. As of now our preferred flight combo is on Lufthansa. Best of everything to you and your husband.

 

[BryanS]

We fly from Italy and when going to the US we always buy insurance to cover medical, we usually get non-refundable flights as we know we'll go, it just may need to be a different time frame. We use AXA or Allianz, have had to file one medical claim in the past with a decent process for reimbursement.

For our most recent trip we bought full coverage travel insurance as it had flights, hotels, tour, etc. Airfare can be such a hit-n-miss and seems to change frequently. We usually book based on our comfort zone for price, connections, etc.

 

[PokeyMindy]

We fly from Italy and when going to the US we always buy insurance to cover medical, we usually get non-refundable flights as we know we'll go, it just may need to be a different time frame. We use AXA or Allianz, have had to file one medical claim in the past with a decent process for reimbursement.

For our most recent trip we bought full coverage travel insurance as it had flights, hotels, tour, etc. Airfare can be such a hit-n-miss and seems to change frequently. We usually book based on our comfort zone for price, connections, etc.

it really is hit or miss especially these days. Normally I also buy non-refundable tickets too....now where's my crystal ball?

 

[Andrew]

As an alternative to fully refundable fares, you could look into the airline's policy on applying the value of a cancelled ticket to future travel on that airline. I think most U.S.-based carriers still have that, such as Delta for Main Classic or above (not Basic); in Delta's case the eCredit expires a year after the purchase was made. Info here:

How to Use a Delta eCredit - NerdWallet

You may have received a Delta Air Lines flight credit if you canceled a flight recently. Here's how to locate your Delta eCredit refund and use it to rebook.

www.nerdwallet.com

Editing to add: the gist I get from a FlyerTalk discussion is that, for an international booking, the expiration date is the deadline for booking a new trip, not for when the trip needs to be taken, but don't hold me to it.

 

[coleyfagiole]

I always get travel insurance for the whole trip, but after a total debacle last year -- I only got a credit for the flight and Delta (unlike) United wouldn't let me forfeit it, so I couldn't claim it on insurance until the credit expires, a year later -- I only do refundable tickets now.

Also be sure how the airline defines "refundable" on your given flight. It might only be credit. Just this week, I ended up booking a ticket -- for the same flight -- directly on Lufthansa rather than through United, bc LH will refund to payment method, United's definition (as much as I and my travel advisor can discern) will only give credit.

Also read the fine print on cancel for any reason -- the highest covereage I've seen on those is 75%.

 

[coleyfagiole]

As an alternative to fully refundable fares, you could look into the airline's policy on applying the value of a cancelled ticket to future travel on that airline. I think most U.S.-based carriers still have that, such as Delta for Main Classic or above (not Basic); in Delta's case the eCredit expires a year after the purchase was made. Info here:

How to Use a Delta eCredit - NerdWallet

You may have received a Delta Air Lines flight credit if you canceled a flight recently. Here's how to locate your Delta eCredit refund and use it to rebook.

www.nerdwallet.com

Editing to add: the gist I get from a FlyerTalk discussion is that, for an international booking, the expiration date is the deadline for booking a new trip, not for when the trip needs to be taken, but don't hold me to it.

Re; deadline, affirmative: my Delta credit has to be booked by the expiration date, not used by then.