Has the threat of volcanic ashes cause you to reconsider your trip?

Go.

I am 18 days out (but who is counting) and haven't given it a thought.

Hello, Sally
I was about to book the flight when the initial eruption occurred. I bought trip insurance & booked anyway because there was NO WAY that the volcano would still be a factor...oh my! Here I am EIGHT days out and what did I know.

My plan B was to train south and fly out from Barcelona or someplace like that . Of course, Barcelona airport was closed yesterday. I'll think about plan C tomorrow.
I still would book, but get trip insurance that covers this (if that's still possible)

I have given up even thinking of a Europe trip until the ash threat has diminishes.

I'm not letting it stop my plans. I will have a plan B for getting from Amsterdam to Edinburgh, but other than that, I'm good to go. I need to not borrow trouble right now.

Pam

We leave on May 21 on Air France from Seattle to Paris to Istanbul to start a RS 13 day Turkey Tour on May 24. I am planning on AF flying that day. RS says if our airline cancels our flight and we can not make it to our tour, we can reschedule for a later tour this year. Only problem with that is my wife had to put in for this vacation time slot last December. Tomorrow she will be checking on what if anything can be done to reschedule her vacation given Mother Natures intervention. I am trying to stay positive. At least this is not a life and death situation.

I am still leaving May 26th, and I hope if that stupid thing blows again it waits till I am stuck over there, and not stuck here.

HI, We have decided to proceed with the trip and is actively looking at the most reasonable flight available.
I have checked with the travel Insurance and was told that anything related to the volcano is not covered. I am looking at 'Cancel for any reason' clause where you can get 80% of the cost of the trip BUT the catch is you need to cancel 48 hours before the trip. I am not sure if this makes sense as the eruption is so unpredictable with no prior warning.

I don't really think that the flight will be cancelled and the airline will give me a refund as they will reschedule me on their next available flight so it will just mean a delay.
As for hotels,I am planning to do priceline bid. I doubt if they will give me a refund.We got a very good rate for a 5 star hotel in Brugges and Amsterdam last year so I am planning to priceline bid again.

My son is currently stuck in Amsterdam due to the ash. His flight from Dulles was delayed departing for 3 hours making him miss the connecting flight to Tanzania. He is currently trying to make the best of a 1-2 day overlay. If you have a choice, give yourself extra time between flights and keep those fingers crossed.

We just returned from Europe. On the way there, our departure was delayed four days - our return went on schedule. Just speaking for myself, I wouldn't plan a trip to Europe now. I would especially avoid travel to or through the UK. While waiting for the volcano to calm down I would find other destinations.

We are leaving in four days for a trip to Portugal, Spain, and ending in Paris for eight days. We have no trip insurance. Paris apt paid and priceline hotel in Madrid paid. AL tics between Lisbon & Madrid and Seville & Paris all paid. We have lots of $$$ invested in this trip and all we can do is hope for the best.

to be honest, i just started to freak out this weekend, when flights were again affected. our trip is mid July through mid August--we've been planning it and saving for it since january first. i will be devastated if it is ruined, as we can't reschedule--we are teachers and can only travel during the summer months. in fact, we're traveling EVERY SINGLE DAY my husband has off this summer (he also teaches summer classes, and he works the day before we leave and the day he comes back!) we're also flying into and out of London. i can't even allow myself to think about it any further, because really, there's nothing i can do about it, and it upsets me so much.

Hi Tracy,
I am hoping that by July, the airlines will have set some guidelines to prevent unnecessary disruption or cancellation of flight. Of course, if safety is an issue then that is not questionable. Iam stress too as I have done so much research and it's not easy to take time off from work. My sister told me that the last time the eruption happened , it took 3 years to clear up ( not sure where she got this info). So, it we don't go this year, next year might still be the same with the eruption. I just pray that things will go as plan with our vacation. There is really not much we can do.

Sally,

Hope you trip goes well. We were schedule to leave April 19th, when they cancelled American Airlines gave us the choice to rebook a later flight or get our airline miles back. I got my miles back and went to New York City inste, because of our jobs we are very limited on when we can go. It was great, and will try for Europe next year.

We leave in 6 days for the UK; our plan B is simply to pick up our itinerary where we ought to be when we arrive, as this trip can't realistically be rescheduled (father-son trip following son's high school graduation).

I'm leaving 20 May. I'm taking the fatalistic approach. There isn't anything I can do about the ash and I had the trip all booked before the eruption. If I was looking to book a trip, I wouldn't not book it because of the possibility of ash delaying the flights.

There are so many other things that can happen. I'm looking forward to less crowded attractions because I believe many people have deferred booking trips.

We leave in 10 days for Ireland (via heathrow). It was booked way before the volcano. We'll go if the plane goes - if I were planning now, I wouldn't plan as far ahead We have reservations, But without huge deposits, so i'm not too worried. We'll plan for extra time if we need it on the return. Mostly just hoping for the best. Travel is never full of guarantees.

I am trying to figure out how I can cancel the tour I got on--not Rick's tour BTW. IMO the ash situation is not conducive to spending all tha money, living thru delays in airports, and also I worry about inhaling the ash particulate if it filters down, as it has done here and there--it's microscopic glass!
My advice is do not go anywhere via UK, period! Been there done that when there was no ash.

Sally, FYI -- I just did a bid on Priceline yesterday, they offer a $5 cancellation insurance that you can tack on to your bid. Well worth it.

Hi Maureen,
You are the answer to my worries! It is great to know that priceline tack a $ 5 cancellation fee. If that is the case, then it helps so much. I was worried that I might lose the hotel reservations I would booked thru priceline just in case trip was delayed. Thanks so much! sally

We are flying to Scandinavia via Iceland on June 12. Our plan B, if we can't get to Iceland, is Canada. We fly from our home in Florida to JFK, and if our flight from JFK is cancelled, we'll tool around New England and Eastern Canada. No way will I stay home!

I'm still planning our trip to Belgium in September. I'm only making reservations at places that don't require prepaying. When it gets closer to September, I'll come up with plan B, which may be staying at home or taking a shorter trip in the US or Canada. I don't think there is another time we can go in 2010. It will be disappointing, but not the end of the world if we can't go.

Hi Maureen,
We rechecked with Priceline Insurance and ended up callong the 1-800#. We spoke to the agent and were told that Priceline Insurance only applies for natural disaster but they considered natural disaster as in a situation where the airport was shut down for 72 hours. So, if airport was shot down 71 hours then it won't count. Please kindly check with Priceline again because their fine prints are quite confusing.

I just have to say: my compliments on that attitude so eloquently expressed..."No way will I stay home."

Great!!

In case anyone is interested in the Icelandic ash distribution over the Atlantic, EU, points north & south-- here is a very good map graphic site, updated daily:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/data/