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Rescheduling Trip originally set for May

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We scheduled a long awaited trip to England and Scotland for early to mid-May of this year, before we knew that Covid-19 would happen. We did a lot of pre-purchasing in the fall of 2019 to get the best airfare and rail deals and best rates on places to stay. We bought our Britrail Pass, London Pass, arranged for a chauffered car from the airport, booked all our rooms. The arduous task in front of us is to figure out how to reschedule and when to make this trip, as we cannot get refunds on our airfare, hotel in Scotland, etc.

I think the Britrail Flexpass and London pass can be used later in the year. Is this true? I think that until we use these items for the first time, the clock doesn’t start ticking on them. As for airfare, If they allow us, it appears we have to fly before year-end (Virgin Atlantic lower rate tickets). Is this everyone’s understanding on how the airline(s) are handling it?

Posted by
7054 posts

You need to look at every single vendor you bought from's policy on refunds. I would go online and check each one individually (lodging, airfare, passes, rail, even chauffeur). I wouldn't assume you cannot get refunds until you try.

Posted by
99 posts

With Virgin Atlantic, you can rebook and travel by May 2022 at no charge, other than the fare difference. This is assuming you booked directly with VA, not a travel agent or 3rd party portal.

Posted by
16895 posts

The BritRail Flexipass can be activated in Britain within 11 months of the purchase date (activate-by date should be printed on the pass) or returned for a refund a little later than that, as long as agents have time to process the refund within one year of purchase (e.g. from 11/10/19 to 11/09/20).

Posted by
31 posts

Your responses are very helpful. Thank you! I will try to negotiate with every vendor in hopes of successful rescheduling and/or refunds.

Posted by
318 posts

Did you purchase travel insurance? If so, worth a call to see if they will extend your coverage towards another trip. Allianz told me the policy I had purchased for a trip that AA canceled would be extended to another flight for up to two years. It is not much of a savings, but every bit helps.

Posted by
31 posts

Thanks for the tip about the travel insurance. That’s one vendor I forgot to put on my list of folks to contact. Yes, we did buy travel insurance.

Posted by
36 posts

I too, booked my trip this year late last year, as I like to have everything set way in advance. My trip this year was set for June 1. As of a few days ago, I made the executive decision to re-book my entire trip until July 15, adding another 45 day buffer to my original June 1 trip. I dearly hope that in 3 months from now, life is normal enough for us to travel. If not, I shutter at what the world will look like then....

Anyway, I booked my trip to Heathrow via American Airlines, and they allow ONE FREE CHANGE up until Dec 2021. I imagine most airlines are offering something of that sorts for those like us, who have booked our tickets early.

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