Hi there,
I had a trip planned in 2019 but of course with COVID I wasn't able to go. So Rick Steve's gave me a credit. Now I have $800.00 credit, my son is a Merchant Marine and will not be able to make the trip. I'm not sure if anyone has ever sold their credits. Please advise.
Thank you
Are you sure they will let you do this?
Ya, that is more than a 64 dollar question. Better call and ask if you can transfer your credits. Also some credits have a time limitation so that should be discussed.
I'm a bit curious what the circumstance was that you received a credit vs. a refund. Did you cancel this trip yourself? At any rate, why not consider using it to schedule a new trip for yourself in the future? Even if your son couldn't go, you could still go. It is very comfortable going on a Rick Steves Tour as a solo traveler.
COVID began in 2020 not 2019. Anyone who had a tour scheduled in 2020 got a refund. This post does not compute.
To answer the questions,
I spoke with someone from Rick Steve's, she said that nobody has ever asked this question, so I thought I would come on here and ask.
secondly- It should have said 2020.
You guys are a tough crowd. I was just asking a questions, I didn't ask anyone to purchase my credits, I was just asking a question guys.
I don't like to travel on a plan alone. I've done several of Rick's tours and I do know that we meet nice people in your groups to travel with.
OK so it sounds like you had a tour scheduled for sometime in 2020. You canceled in 2019 before COVID was around and, per the cancellation policy, got a credit from RSE. The question is can you sell or transfer the credit? The answer is no. This from the FAQ’s on this website regarding tour payments:
The credit is not transferable and will expire on December 31, two years following the year of the originally scheduled tour (e.g. if you receive a credit for a tour set to depart in 2022, you may use that credit toward any tour(s) departing prior to December 31, 2024).
Yes, it can get rough in here, but we really do like helping folks so.............
Give RS another call and request their patience as you provide a detailed account of why you have this need. Then ask "Will you please try and define a solution for this need?". RS has an excellent demonstrated reputation for striving to help folks so please provide them an opportunity to again help you.
Be well!
meet nice people in your groups to travel with.
good advice above. Not tough, just clear and to the point.
Just to mention, these Forums (welcome aboard by the way) are not like talking to the company - we are all fellow travellers.
COVID began in 2020 not 2019. Anyone who had a tour scheduled in 2020 got a refund. This post does not compute.
Actually we cancelled our May 2020 tour in March 2020 just before the balance of our tour cost was due so this response to the OP was incorrect. We cancelled just before RS cancelled the early 2020 trips. Per our contract, we were not due a refund for our deposits cancelling when we did, but RS incredibly gave us a voucher without us even asking, which we wouldn’t have done. As we have now canceled our 2022 trip, we still have this voucher through 2023, which was the original expiration date.
I am interested in the RS answer to this question as while my H was interested in an RS tour at age 79, he seems to not be interested in a group tour at age 82 or 83 ( We have always been independent travelers…something about teaching an old dog new tricks). I would love to put the extra deposit towards a single room should I plan a future RS trip, which I will if I go to Europe again.
Wray,
The same as you, I cancelled my May 2020 trip when the final payment was due in March 2020 before Rick cancelled the tour and received the voucher credit. The email information I have from them at that time says it expires in 2022. Do you have something that says 2023?
For some reason I don't get 'group' emails from RS so if something came out extending the voucher credit, I didn't get it. (As of this morning, I haven't received the notice about extending the deposit refund date even though I'm signed up for two tours in 2020.)
Wray, I am sure that you would be allowed to put the voucher towards paying a single supplement. I know that you would enjoy a tour whether you go as a couple or as a single.
My father decided that he was done with traveling many years before my mother did. He was happy to have her travel still and she went on many adventures solo until she too reached that point where staying home seemed more desirable.
we were not due a refund for our deposits cancelling when we did, but RS incredibly gave us a voucher without us even asking
I continue to be impressed, but less surprised, at these gestures of good faith on the part of RS towards their travelers. Of course it makes good business sense, but it feels like so much more.
Actually we cancelled our May 2020 tour in March 2020 just before the balance of our tour cost was due so this response to the OP was incorrect.
Mea culpa. What I should have said was anyone whose tour was cancelled by RSE got a full refund.
Carol, I love traveling completely solo, so I would not hesitate to take another RS tour as then I'm just partially solo. My H has no problem with me traveling solo, although as he is not quite as adventurous as I am, I think he prefers I go on a tour...less worry for him. LOL. The only reason I indicated 'if I travel to Europe again' is because we never know what the future holds...and in 2015 I was told to get my international travel over with and I don't know exactly what that meant, whether forever or due to a big Covid gap coming up, but I did heed the warning and scurried to do my top trips.
