Best way to get back from USA

whitejohn

My friend and I travelled Manchester to Houston with Singapore in early March. We are due to return to Manchester on 22 April but currently the flight is cancelled and no replies for advice.
I think best to wait and see what Singapore come up with but then we could be stuck here a long time. Do they have to get us home at some point in time or via another airline?
My friend wants to get to the nearest airport and fly back immediately regardless of cost but I don't have money to throw away. Plus the rental car company will charge a lot to get the car back, it's over 1200 miles from pickup location. (touring the backroads of USA trying to keep safe)
Due to the lock down here, hotels are closed so staying in a relatively cheap RV and could extend.  I feel happier staying here for the time being and waiting till Singapore come up with a flight in the future.
As I'm in my seventies, feel safer sat in the desert on my own rather than panicking and travelling home on public transport.
Any suggestions please?

whitejohn

I think unlikely I would get any money back from Singapore? Appears most airlines offer useless vouchers.  But if I was stuck here for say an extra 3-4 weeks until they get me out, will I be able to claim back my additional accommodation and car rental?

Caz3121

you would need to speak to your travel insurance company. You may find if you choose to ignore the advice to return home asap your insurance may not cover you as in this example https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6121790/trying-to-extend-travel-medical-insurance
The government are currently arranging repatriation flights for UK citizens abroad where there are no scheduled flight options but where there are still options, I would be with your friend and arrange to get back asap...again may be worth a conversation with insurance re the additional costs

whitejohn

Caz3121 said:

you would need to speak to your travel insurance company. You may find if you choose to ignore the advice to return home asap your insurance may not cover you as in this example https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6121790/trying-to-extend-travel-medical-insurance
The government are currently arranging repatriation flights for UK citizens abroad where there are no scheduled flight options but where there are still options, I would be with your friend and arrange to get back asap...again may be worth a conversation with insurance re the additional costs

Thanks, I requested advice from my insurers 5 days ago but so far no reply. My friends insurer said they would automatically extend the 45 days cover but didn't answer any of the other questions regarding should we return home. Seems no one wants to offer advice in case it turns out to be wrong. My feeling is that by routing through a major hub in the most virus-infected areas it will probably give me the virus and potentially kill me at my age. In my current location it's extremely unlikely I will catch the virus otherwise I would be going home.