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Has anyone been able to get refunds or credits on paid tours?

Posted by (Indiana) on

There is a strong possibility I might have to cancel our September trip due to my father's illness. We just won't know until it is closer to leaving. Thankfully I purchased Travel Guard Insurance and just talked to them about what to do in case that happens. I only insured our airfare at the time, as I didn't know what else we would be doing for tours and i didn't have to put money down for hotels. Unfortunately, I paid to have my seats upgraded for $200 just a couple months ago which won't be covered.

Anyway, I have $680 that I've prepaid for 5 tours. If that time comes that I know I have to cancel, i will email these companies (2 of the tours are with Walks of Italy) asking for a refund (which I know I won't get) or at least a credit to be used within a specified time period (probably a year).

Has any one else had to do this? If so, how did it turn out?

Posted by
3522 posts

Sorry about your father's illness.

I have only had to cancel a tour once so far. It was a Rick Steves tour last year when my mother got sick. I cancelled 2 days before departure. After providing a doctor's note, I was fully refunded except for the $400 deposit. Airline also refunded everything except for the seat reservation fee as well which surprised me since it was not a refundable fare. These were cash refunds, not credits for future travel. Insurance covered the $400 but not the seat fee.

Posted by
23671 posts

It will be a toss up. What does the web site say about refunds? That is critical. I have seen refund policies where a percentage is held back if cancelled but the percentage the closer you get to actual date. You might be money head to cancel and rebook later. The whole idea behind travel insurance is to insure the non-refundable portion of your trip. And for others - read the fine print. Often an illness of a non-immediate family member is not a covered item.

Posted by
524 posts

thanks. I went to look at the fine print. On the walks of Italy one, if I cancel outside of 4 - 30 days, it's only a $10 charge. Hopefully I will know by then. Those two are pretty expensive, so that is good. The travestere food tour I have to change or cancel outside of 3 weeks...so that one is a bit iffy. Maybe they will work with me for a credit because we won't know for sure when a change will occur.

The other two are more minor and I'll loss our train tickets...which amounted to about $100. Just nice to know.

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