Meant to be travelling to New York tomorrow

hivoodoodoll

Due to fly to New York on Saturday. We had booked flights and a hotel with BA.  Flying with someone who has recently recently been in hospital with asthma issues and want to delay our booking. BA are saying that you can only do this if you’ve booked after the 1st of March. This is ridiculous anybody booking after the 1st of March would be to be stupid because they knew about coronavirus I book this last year when I haven’t even begun. Really frustrating as Virgin are offering transfers for anyone. I’ve been trying for over 24 hours to speak to someone and have resorted to opening a Twitter account but I’ve heard nothing. My friend is trying to get a doctors note to say she can’t fly but that won’t help me!  

bradders1983

Travel insurance. Call them.

Westin

Are Virgin Atlantic doing anything different to BA?  I thought it was broadly same with only fairly new reservations having flexibility on date changes.   Airlines are doing this to try to stimulate new sales in the belief that it gives confidence to new bookers.   I am not sure it is working.  Bookings made sometime back are currently still under the existing booking terms and conditions.

I do feel for your predicament. I guess if serious enough you may decide not to go and bite the bullet on the lost costs.  Health and welfare over money?

Aylesbury_Duck

Contact your insurer to assess your options.
Would you travel on your own?

Arkers

It is my understanding that Virgin are allowing their customers who have booked prior to the 4 March to rearrange up to 30 September.  We have flights going on 25th March and although I haven't changed anything yet  If NYC is still closed (major attractions) and there is a risk that we can't get home then I think we will try and delay.  I can cancel the accommodation without penalty before 23rd, but what I have noticed is that the Virgin flights are more expensive as is the accommodation costs as I suspect that every man and his dog have been doing the same.   I have well controlled asthma, but if I was hospitalized with my condition there is no way I would travel.  This is exactly what travel insurance is for.  I would have preferred it if Trump had not  allowed the UK people  to continue to travel to the USA, because quite frankly I wish I wan't going.  My cousin was one of the 140 people on the latest Pricness cruise and he has said his experience was dreadful.  The FCO and the American response was appalling, so food for thought.

hivoodoodoll

Yes, Virgin are doing things differently. Depending on when you booked Virgin are letting you transfer your tickets to another time. BA are only letting you do it if you booked after the 1st of March.  Three other people that we were going with booked via Virgin and have already managed to transfer their tickets. They only made the decision this morning. My friend and I have been trying for over 24 hours now and we are still no further. What would happen if we can’t cancel over the phone by the time our flight goes tomorrow afternoon!

Aylesbury_Duck

You'd be a no-show, presumably, and lose what you've paid.

Have you spoken to your insurer yet?

hivoodoodoll

Just as update. I managed to get hold of British Airways and they have given us a voucher for the flight costs. Unfortunately the room that I booked was in non-refundable one so I am trying through my travel insurance to get that money back.

Ganga

Arkers said:

It is my understanding that Virgin are allowing their customers who have booked prior to the 4 March to rearrange up to 30 September.  We have flights going on 25th March and although I haven't changed anything yet  If NYC is still closed (major attractions) and there is a risk that we can't get home then I think we will try and delay.  I can cancel the accommodation without penalty before 23rd, but what I have noticed is that the Virgin flights are more expensive as is the accommodation costs as I suspect that every man and his dog have been doing the same.   I have well controlled asthma, but if I was hospitalized with my condition there is no way I would travel.  This is exactly what travel insurance is for.  I would have preferred it if Trump had not  allowed the UK people  to continue to travel to the USA, because quite frankly I wish I wan't going.  My cousin was one of the 140 people on the latest Pricness cruise and he has said his experience was dreadful.  The FCO and the American response was appalling, so food for thought.

Whilst I understand your predicament what about others? we are due to go to NY on Wednesday and we are praying it still goes ahead, we have insurance , ESTA,s ,US dollars etc and if it is cancelled it will be a big blow to us, not financially as we will get our money back but the disappointment will be huge.
I know people will say a well go next year instead but I am 69 years old and although fairly fit I do not know how many years we have left when we are still happy to travel

Arkers

Ganga said:

Arkers said:

It is my understanding that Virgin are allowing their customers who have booked prior to the 4 March to rearrange up to 30 September.  We have flights going on 25th March and although I haven't changed anything yet  If NYC is still closed (major attractions) and there is a risk that we can't get home then I think we will try and delay.  I can cancel the accommodation without penalty before 23rd, but what I have noticed is that the Virgin flights are more expensive as is the accommodation costs as I suspect that every man and his dog have been doing the same.   I have well controlled asthma, but if I was hospitalized with my condition there is no way I would travel.  This is exactly what travel insurance is for.  I would have preferred it if Trump had not  allowed the UK people  to continue to travel to the USA, because quite frankly I wish I wan't going.  My cousin was one of the 140 people on the latest Pricness cruise and he has said his experience was dreadful.  The FCO and the American response was appalling, so food for thought.

Whilst I understand your predicament what about others? we are due to go to NY on Wednesday and we are praying it still goes ahead, we have insurance , ESTA,s ,US dollars etc and if it is cancelled it will be a big blow to us, not financially as we will get our money back but the disappointment will be huge.
I know people will say a well go next year instead but I am 69 years old and although fairly fit I do not know how many years we have left when we are still happy to travel

Of course at the moment it's your choice (although as a result of Trump's press conference yesterday the UK are likely to be put on the USA travel list).  These are uncertain times and a short term change in our freedom of movement may well be necessary to prevent greater harm.  I understand the feeling of disappointment I had to cancel my holiday last year as a result of a Cancer diagnosis (I'm 49!!), but you can re-book and enjoy NYC when normality resumes.  I believe all the major attractions are shut too so you wouldn't be getting the true experience.  
Arkers 

jackieblack

US to extend coronavirus travel ban to UK and Ireland from Monday

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51891662