Question: If you catch Covid, can you get a refund? [Answer: no]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 43
If you catch Covid, can you get a refund? [Answer: no]
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?
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?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 479
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.
Get travel insurance or a refundable fare.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,211
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.
Last edited by expert7700; Nov 21, 2022 at 4:04 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 43
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.
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.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Nov 21, 2022 at 4:36 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same user
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,829
Airlines want you to fly with covid....
Why wouldn't you oblige. :-(
Haven't you heard? Covid does not exist anymore.
Why wouldn't you oblige. :-(
Haven't you heard? Covid does not exist anymore.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan 50K/Star Alliance Gold, Accor Gold, base level Marriott/Hyatt/Hilton
Posts: 658
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.
Unfortunately you're entirely at the mercy of whatever insurance is associated with Chase. No changes/refunds/credits permitted through AC.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 5
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.
Unfortunately you're entirely at the mercy of whatever insurance is associated with Chase. No changes/refunds/credits permitted through AC.
#9
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,827
#11
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,604
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.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,829
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?")
#13
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
Programs: Altitude E50K / *G
Posts: 924
Now - how long AC will keep this policy is unknown.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,604
Don't you usually have to pay the change fee when you use up the credit?
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,071
I think there is still a covid policy for Standard and higher that waives the fee for changes.