Travel In The Age of Coronavirus - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

In a word, don't.

But this will pass, and when it does, you can be ready by taking advantage of deals and bargains being offered now. Travel companies like airlines, hotels, and cruise ships, are feeling great economic pain right now. To help keep a cash flow going during these lean times, many are offering great discounts that also come with the perk of being able to cancel with no penalty or (in the case of airlines) being able to change your low fare ticket for no charge.

If you think this might all pass by fall, go ahead and start making plans and bookings (always confirm the ability to cancel or change with no charge, though) and if this virus is still making travel ill advised when the time for your trip comes, go ahead and cancel or reschedule.

As long as you're not paying a penalty for it, you're out nothing but a little time that you spent researching and making the booking.

Again, we are strongly advising you do not travel...at all!...during the next few months but there is no harm in making plans for later.

Here are some examples for you...(these may changed, be extended, or cut off as time goes by. Click on the links for current information)

British Airways - All bookings made through March 31, 2020...and already booked flights through the end of May, 2020...will have the ability to change the date, destination, or both, at no charge.

Delta Airlines - All bookings made in March, 2020, can be changed as many times as you like for free for one year.

American Airlines - Bookings made through the end of March, 2020 can be changed for free until February 28, 2021

Hilton Hotels - Reservations made through the end of April, 2020 - including no change/non refundable (Advance Purchase) rates - will be able to be cancelled at no charge and refunded, if applicable, with at least a 24 hour notice.

Marriott Hotels - Reservations made through the end of April, 2020 - including no change/non refundable (Advance Purchase) rates - will be able to be cancelled at no charge and refunded, if applicable, with at least a 24 hour notice.

Many, if not most, major travel companies are offering similar policies right now that you can take advantage of. A little Googling will reveal more.

In short...don't travel now but do know this is a good time to save some money and plan for a trip later.

Darryl Musick
Copyright 2020 - All Rights Reserved