Flight Change/Cancellation - Ill family member

Sweet_Sugar_1984

Hi.

I recently booked flights to Turkey for me, my husband and our three children.

We are flying out with Easyjet and flying back with Thomas Cook - as these were the cheapest flights on the dates we wanted for October half term.

I have not sorted out hotels and transfers yet, but now I am unsure about what to do as we have had a slight change in circumstances.

My father was taken into hospital this week for scans as he had been having breathing problems and chest pains etc. The reports have come back saying he needs a triple heart bypass operation, which will take place in the next few weeks.

I now don't know what to do about our holiday as I really want to be there for my father when he goes in for the operation and also a few weeks afterwards when he will be going through the recovery phase. The last thing I want to do is go away at such a worrying time for the family - even if I did go away I wouldn't be able to enjoy it.

I now need to know what to do about our flights? We don't have a set date yet for the operation, but would the airlines be ok to let us change dates or cancel at the last minute? Would they charge fees in such circumstances? Or will I lose all my money? I haven't taken out any travel insurance yet, but we are planning to. Will the insurance cover fees for any cancellations etc?

I would really appreciate all your advice on this issue please as I am so worried and unsure of what to do next. We have been saving for this holiday for such a long time and I really don't want to lose my money.

Thank you!

phatbear

Sweet_Sugar_1984 wrote: »

I now need to know what to do about our flights? We don't have a set date yet for the operation, but would the airlines be ok to let us change dates or cancel at the last minute? Would they charge fees in such circumstances? Or will I lose all my money? I haven't taken out any travel insurance yet, but we are planning to. Will the insurance cover fees for any cancellations etc?

Of course you can cancel your flights however the chances of you getting your money back are nil you may be able to change the flights but this would be up to the individual airlines to sort out and i should imagine would come at a hefty price.

And insurance wont cover you, without a massive premium, for a pre exsisting condition especially as youe father isnt one of the people travelling anyway.

Check you dont already have travel insurance through your bank etc as if you havr they may be able to help

photome

Sweet_Sugar_1984 wrote: »

Hi.

I recently booked flights to Turkey for me, my husband and our three children.

We are flying out with Easyjet and flying back with Thomas Cook - as these were the cheapest flights on the dates we wanted for October half term.

I have not sorted out hotels and transfers yet, but now I am unsure about what to do as we have had a slight change in circumstances.

My father was taken into hospital this week for scans as he had been having breathing problems and chest pains etc. The reports have come back saying he needs a triple heart bypass operation, which will take place in the next few weeks.

I now don't know what to do about our holiday as I really want to be there for my father when he goes in for the operation and also a few weeks afterwards when he will be going through the recovery phase. The last thing I want to do is go away at such a worrying time for the family - even if I did go away I wouldn't be able to enjoy it.

I now need to know what to do about our flights? We don't have a set date yet for the operation, but would the airlines be ok to let us change dates or cancel at the last minute? Would they charge fees in such circumstances? Or will I lose all my money? I haven't taken out any travel insurance yet, but we are planning to. Will the insurance cover fees for any cancellations etc?


I would really appreciate all your advice on this issue please as I am so worried and unsure of what to do next. We have been saving for this holiday for such a long time and I really don't want to lose my money.

Thank you!

What are the terms and condition re your ticket on easy jet and Thomas cook

Worth ringing them and asking them

Re insurance, no insurance is going to cover you as you can't take insurance retrospectively

richardw

Sorry to hear about your Dad.

easyJet bookings are easily changeable, you can do this online through manage my booking. With Thomas Cook see https://www.thomascookairlines.com/en/help-contact/frequently-asked-questions/route-change.jsp

jonesMUFCforever

Does dad have travel insurance? If so he can claim on that if cancellation is the only option.

gettingtheresometime

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Does dad have travel insurance? If so he can claim on that if cancellation is the only option.

Why would the father's insurance pay out when he wasn't going on holiday?

OP I'm sorry but I think you're too late to get insurance now.

Ms_Chocaholic

I'd wait to do anything until your dad gets confirmation of the date of his operation.

Sweet_Sugar_1984

Thanks so much for all your replies. You have all given me a lot to think about.

I didn't get travel insurance earlier as I always do this last- once I have booked everything else. But in retrospect I should have done this when I booked the tickets.

My dad has been ill for some time and has actually been misdiagnosed a few times. There was no way I could have known that he would end up having a heart bypass. And as I mentioned earlier, we only found out this week that he needs the operation.

I think the biggest problem I have is not knowing what date the operation is going to be - once I know this, then if I need to, I will speak to the airlines in question. I am just hoping that the date of the op will be when I get back!

We have been saving for this trip for so long and the children are so excited, I really don't want to let anyone down.

peachyprice

Sweet_Sugar_1984 wrote: »

I didn't get travel insurance earlier as I always do this last- once I have booked everything else. But in retrospect I should have done this when I booked the tickets.

In future you need to take out insurance the minute you've paid any money, this is the exact reason why. You would have been covered for this kind of scenario from the minute you took the policy out and it would have cost the same whether you'd taken it out 9 months or 9 days before you were due to travel.

katejo

photome wrote: »

What are the terms and condition re your ticket on easy jet and Thomas cook

Worth ringing them and asking them

Re insurance, no insurance is going to cover you as you can't take insurance retrospectively

Can't comment on TC but have recently had to change /cancel Easyjet flights. Moving to a new date costs just about as much as a new ticket due to admin charges. If you cancel, you can only get the airport tax back.

Manxman_in_exile

I know OP doesn't have travel insurance but how would it work if you had to cancel your holiday because of a non-travelling family member's illness?


My wife and I declare any pre-existing conditions asked about, but I don't recall being asked about parents etc. who aren't travelling with us. Should any relevant information be volunteered (if you know about something) or is it up to the insurer to ask?