What happens if you are sick?
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,992
What happens if you are sick?
Morning all,
Bit of a random question: What happens if you check in for a flight and are too sick to fly?
I have recently started to get really bad migraines and when I do, I am completely decommissioned for the day. I had an incident the other day when I was checking into a hotel and basically had to cancel my plans for the whole day as I could not function. This got me thinking what would happen if I was checking in and had a migraine (or something like this)? Would I just be classed as a 'no show' or would the airline let you re-book? Or does it come down to cabin, cash or redemption etc?
Welcome any thoughts.
Cheers ^
Bit of a random question: What happens if you check in for a flight and are too sick to fly?
I have recently started to get really bad migraines and when I do, I am completely decommissioned for the day. I had an incident the other day when I was checking into a hotel and basically had to cancel my plans for the whole day as I could not function. This got me thinking what would happen if I was checking in and had a migraine (or something like this)? Would I just be classed as a 'no show' or would the airline let you re-book? Or does it come down to cabin, cash or redemption etc?
Welcome any thoughts.
Cheers ^
#3
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So if it is a restricted economy ticket and you just can't handle a 13 hr plus flight you would give it up? Same apply if it was a restricted first or business, or is there any grace?
#6
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Not if you are at the check in desk and the agent can clearly see you are not well....however point taken. I did think it was down to the type of ticket etc but thought I would ask anyhow ^
#7
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
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I know it's over-said on here, but this really is what travel insurance is for.
If you're at the check in desk then you can probably manage to get on the plane anyway.
And do please see a doctor if you keep getting migraines, if you haven't done so already!
If you're at the check in desk then you can probably manage to get on the plane anyway.
And do please see a doctor if you keep getting migraines, if you haven't done so already!
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Posts: 1,256
a. a lot of travel insurance companies would go out of business; and
b. no-one would ever buy a flexible ticket.
#9
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Unfortunately, if every time it became inconvenient for someone to take a flight they'd booked the airline was required to show 'grace' and effectively convert a non-changeable ticket into a flexible one then:
a. a lot of travel insurance companies would go out of business; and
b. no-one would ever buy a flexible ticket.
a. a lot of travel insurance companies would go out of business; and
b. no-one would ever buy a flexible ticket.
#10
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,590
If having a condition where there could be a last minute need to cancel , then I would suggest ensuring that do not purchase fares where the value will be lost
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
Um, my travel insurance does cover my condition. It's just more expensive!
#12
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#13
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
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I also suffer from (occasional) migraines and told my insurers this when taking out the policy. They asked me some questions and how often I got them, severity and medication etc and then decided that I would be covered for them and no increase in premium because they decided the risk of me having one when on holiday was low.
The important thing is to be open with them - in fact you have a duty to.
The surest way to find your cover is worthless is not to tell them of a pre-existing condition and then fall ill with it and claim.
It is all about balancing the risks. Some pre-existing conditions have huge risks for the insurers but others very small.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2011
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A lot of carriers are changing pre-existing condition coverage to allow it. As long as the condition is being managed there are many options out there. I even got a policy for my mum for less than 200 quid for a month in cayman and she has leukaemia.
Anyway, op, do hope the migraines are not something more serious. My wife has always had them, she has drugs that works when they start (infrequent but debilitating), hopefully the doc will sort you out.
Anyway, op, do hope the migraines are not something more serious. My wife has always had them, she has drugs that works when they start (infrequent but debilitating), hopefully the doc will sort you out.
#15
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This is all about risk tolerance. You can be 100% assured of a cash refund by purchasing a fully refundable ticket (often as much as 10x the price of the cheapest ticket). You can likely be assured of reimbursement by purchasing a travel insurance policy which covers your condition and situation. Or you can chance it and pruchase the cheapest ticket and run the risk that you cannot use it.
This just seems stark. But, most people make choices close to this every day.
This just seems stark. But, most people make choices close to this every day.