peterparker20

Hey already booked the flights for 3 weeks from now, going from US -> Canada on Air Canada.

I booked a basic economy fare because ... well I usually like to save money. Used a Chase Sapphire Preferred but wish I used Amex Platinum as it seems to have better "built in" insurance.

Anyway I already caught Covid last April, am triple vaxxed... but now I'm suddenly thinking ... what if I get bad luck and catch Covid again before my flight?

Typically the Economy Basic is non refundable. I would obviously not fly if I became ill or infected. But I see that "sudden medical issue" leaves the door open for potential refund, if medically provable.

Should I rest easy knowing that it's refundable if bad luck happens? Or would I potentially be out of my money?

TheViperOne

Of course not, everyone knows only the airlines can break the contract with impunity not us common folk.

Get travel insurance or a refundable fare.

expert7700

You bought a fare that not only disallows refunds but IIRC disallows changes.

If you are hospitalized, perhaps the AC medical desk would take that documentation to give a travel CREDIT. Refund is laughable though.

AC offered paid trip interruption travel insurance.at booking... Probably on the page after you declined to select flex, comfort, etc.

Unpopular opinion, but you could also prevent losing the airfare with N95/CAN99 masks to avoid air indoors that has come out of others lungs.

peterparker20

Yeah ... I usually book airlines with flexible fares (credits are fine) -- but must have slipped my mind.

I usually don't get travel insurance because .... well ... of 100 flights maybe I've only had to cancel 1. And that was the 1st time I got Covid. Sucker's bet it seems like.

I should have used my AMEX .. but ... I don't know. Yes of course I'll be cautious beforehand I suppose. But eh.

Chase Sapphire Preferred which I booked under technically says "covers trips that were cancelled due to illness" -- so ... it seems at face that should cover it. In practice, I've heard the Chase insurance is a bear to deal with, though.

Stranger

Airlines want you to fly with covid....

Why wouldn't you oblige. :-(

Haven't you heard? Covid does not exist anymore.

tracon

Don't test would be a good place to start. I've had covid symptoms every day for 40+ years.
In BC it's no longer a requirement to isolate if you have covid.

yyztozag

Yeah, don't ever book basic again. Seriously, not trying to be smart here, but it's never ever worth taking basic to save $50-60 at best.

Unfortunately you're entirely at the mercy of whatever insurance is associated with Chase. No changes/refunds/credits permitted through AC.

Louman

agreed-the extra fees for peace of mind are worth it.

Adam Smith

With this being your first post, welcome to FT

Louman

Thanks so much! Happy to see all the resources and info here for my next trip.

yvr76

Introduction of the Comfort fare has made this a much easier decision for Y travel. Unfortunately for PY/J it's still quite a large delta between restricted and flexible.

Stranger

Minor correction: I don't think wen introduced Comfort was refundable. That changed at some point, probably during covid.

(BTW, I would have liked a slightly different thread title: "If you want a refund, can you catch covid?")

dr_torch

This is true, but right now PY lowest and J lowest can still be cancelled to a credit to use later. Yeah, credit is not cash but better than nothing.

Now - how long AC will keep this policy is unknown.

yvr76

Don't you usually have to pay the change fee when you use up the credit?

Altaflyer

I think there is still a covid policy for Standard and higher that waives the fee for changes.