How to Plan Travel During COVID
I am here to tell you that travel is not gone forever. The pandemic has disrupted work, school, and has introduced new hurdles for travel but with proper preparation and flexibility, you can still travel during this assignment. Here are my top tips for planning travel during COVID for military members and their families stationed in Europe.
*Note: Please consult your unit and their requirements for travel in Europe as each command can have different policies and protocols.
Flexibility Is Paramount
In most cases, refunds are available, but not all components of your travel may be eligible for money back. Again, this goes back to flexibility and knowing the cancellation policies, but plan on getting future travel credits for most airlines if you cancel. Make sure you are reading the COVID policies before you book airfare since not all airlines are offering to waive change fees (although this is becoming more of the standard).
Check Cancellation Policies
Speaking about flexibility - it is crucial to check cancellation policies with every component of your trip. If you are pre-booking any portion of your travel, it is best to know the absolute latest date you can cancel. When working with my clients, this is something I closely monitor and work with my contacts in the destination to negotiate the best cancellation policies as possible. The great thing with most companies right now is that they are offering very flexible cancellation policies and understand the changing environment.
Future Travel Credits
In most cases, refunds are available, but not all components of your travel may be eligible for money back. Again, this goes back to flexibility and knowing the cancellation policies, but plan on getting future travel credits for most airlines if you cancel. Make sure you are reading the COVID policies before you book airfare since not all airlines are offering to waive change fees (although this is becoming more of the standard).
Travel Insurance
There are a lot of misconceptions about travel insurance. Most insurance companies do not cover cancellations and claims related to pandemics. Especially now, most insurance companies do not consider COVID-19 as an “unforeseeable event.” There are so many intricacies of each policy that it is best to confer with the insurance company themselves for any questions you have. Do not assume you will be covered. That being said, there are still a few Cancel for Any Reason policies available depending on the type of trip you are planning. When available, I highly recommend going this route to give you peace of mind, especially if you are planning a more expensive trip vs. a weekend getaway. In the end, travel insurance is still beneficial as it covers you for pre-existing conditions, for military service, and pregnancy. I use this company and recommend to my clients traveling because they have excellent coverage with great pricing.
Have a Backup Plan
If plans change, have a Plan B. Instead of flying somewhere, you may consider driving instead. Doing a stay-cation, or a trip to a new local destination you have not yet been to can still be a great little getaway.
In the end, travel looks different right now (and will for some time), but this does not mean you cannot get away, you will just need to do it thoughtfully. Work with a military spouse and European travel expert that understands the current travel environment and can help you navigate the new normal.
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