Did you have plans to go on vacation this summer? Sorry about those.
Even if you didn’t, you might be a bit restless about getting out of the house. The ads from airlines promoting sweet airfare deals are tempting. And so are promises of breezy vacations on a beach where the water sparkles blue, rather than bayou brown.
“Social isolation is wearing on people, so the lure of social interaction is strong,” said Dr. Charlene Flash, CEO of Houston’s Avenue 360 Health & Wellness.
There are a lot of things to think about before you embark on a trip these days, though — both public health and financial considerations that could change your idea of a summer vacation.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re desperate to take a socially distant, safe trip this summer.
So…is it safe to travel?
Like many, I’m squeamish at the thought of packing my bags and squeezing onto an airplane right now, to be stuck in a metal tube for hours with people I don’t know.
Sure, most airlines have taken precautions and are no longer seating people bicep-to-bicep. But I’m uncomfortable with standing in crowded TSA lines, or sitting in any confined space with a large crowd these days.
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I’m Gwendolyn Wu, and I’m writing “Houston How To,” a series on how to navigate the city and its complexities. Humans have an innate drive to improve themselves, and we’re always striving to live better, smarter and more efficiently by throwing countless dollars and hours at our problems. The Houston Chronicle wants to simplify that for you.
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The same goes for cruises, a popular choice for families who want an all-in-one experience and the convenience of leaving from the Port of Galveston. Even if I get my own room to myself, to have the full experience of being on a cruise ship, you have to enjoy some common attractions, such as the dining room, onboard spas and performance venues.
But it’s possible to travel safely if you take certain precautions, said Flash, who is also an infectious diseases physician. Pick airlines and airports that are making good efforts at social distancing and sanitation — you can see what measures most places are taking by checking brand websites.
As is with any public outing these days, wear a mask on your trip. In fact, some airlines are even requiring it, with big carriers such as United Airlines threatening to put travelers who don’t wear masks on internal travel restriction lists, the Chronicle’s ShaCamree Gowdy reports.
And don’t forget to look at the public health guidelines issued at your destination(s).
“I would check the rates of COVID at my destination city and the public health precautions being put into place there,” she said. “If cities aren’t being attentive or cautious, I am not coming to visit.”
Flash’s personal recommendation is to pick an outdoors trip, such as the beach. Being outside will allow you more room to physically distance from other vacationers.
When I took my concerns to the travel experts at AAA, the answer was clear: this very well could be the summer everyone takes a road trip.
“We’ll see a resurgence first in domestic travel as social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders start to diminish, especially if gas prices remain low,” said Joshua Zuber, an AAA Texas spokesperson.
A road trip might keep you in a confined space, but at least it’ll be with people who you can trust to quarantine before vacation.
If you plan to rent an Airbnb or a hotel, call ahead and ask if they’re open, and what they’re doing to sanitize their rooms. Online hotel directories might be able to give you an idea of which chains and standalone rentals have been doing a good job of cleaning even before the coronavirus pandemic made it a requirement.
Are there any scams I should know about?
Some unscrupulous companies are taking advantage of this time to advertise good deals. Others are consumers reporting problems with getting their money back as companies struggle to stay afloat and keep their customers.
“They want you so bad because they’ve got a tough situation right now,” said Dan Parsons, president of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas.
Not every company is trying to scam vacationers if they offer credit or free rescheduling in place of a refund, Parsons said.
Many are offering deals to get customers in the door, tempted by the promise of cheap airfare or packages. It’s worth looking at the airline, cruise line or travel company’s website to see reviews of their services before the coronavirus hit. Beware any companies that seem to be too good to be true, or might have tried to turn their brand around during the pandemic.
“If they were that way before you traveled, they ain’t going to get any better,” Parsons said.
The Federal Trade Commission has received more than 47,000 reports of fraud since January regarding coronavirus-related scams, and nearly a quarter are related to travel or vacations. In total, the travel-related scams, classified by federal officials as regarding refunds and cancellations, account for more than $20 million in losses.
To protect yourself against losing money, Parsons recommends spending as little as possible, especially if you’re paying in installments.
Should I get travel insurance?
Insurers will tell you “yes,” but before buying a policy, look at how those companies are responding to COVID-19.
While the fine print of some say they cover pandemics, travelers faced with sudden cancellations have found it difficult to get their money back. Some policies, insurance experts said, haven’t covered COVID-19-related losses for trip insurance policies purchased after Jan. 21, the date the CDC issued its first travel warning.
“In order for a traveler to have coverage for any event, they must purchase a travel insurance policy before the event occurs,” said Kasara Barto, a spokesperson for Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison tool. “However, some providers are still offering cancellation and medical benefits relating to COVID-19 on new policies purchased.”
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Dozens of policies are still insuring trips, but you should look at the terms and conditions before purchasing to see if coronavirus-induced problems will be covered.
What you might want to look for in a travel insurance policy, if you’re deadset on going somewhere, are the medical benefits offered. Many health insurance plans won’t cover medical costs incurred overseas, Barto said. A policy offering at least $50,000 in emergency care for international travel should cover your bases.
If you’re hesitant to spring for travel insurance, you might have coverage in other areas. Some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, allow a flier to reschedule their trip for free as long as it’s done by a certain date. And certain credit cards may have trip cancellation policies built into their perks. No need to buy insurance if you’re already covered.
gwendolyn.wu@chron.com
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