Flight canceled and cruise missed

[xpcdoojk]

44 minutes ago, Pratique said:

I am curious if anyone here has ever made an insurance claim for missing a cruise due to travel delays, and if so what was your experience with the insurance company?

 

 

I would recommend a new thread for this topic as the chances of people seeing your post here with the relevant experience is probably not likely.

 

jc

[BNBR]

5 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

So, in conclusion after reading the terms and conditions of the coverage, and not being a lawyer, it appears that Amex, might pay for evacuation, if they approve it, and if they don’t believe it is because of a pre-existing condition.  However, I would not bet the house on them covering anything (and ultimately that is why people buy insurance so they don’t lose the farm/house / life’s earnings), I am not sure that my Platinum card qualifies as insurance.  However, if I ever need evacuation I will try to use it.

 

I have another reason the next time my DW asks me why I am paying over $500 a year to use a credit card.....  She hasn’t bought any of the other reasons, although she does enjoy the Centurion lounge when we fly through airports that have one.  

 

JC

 

GoodSam TravelAssist has family evac coverage for about $70 annually.  Don't tell the wife. 😁

[Pratique]

 

1 minute ago, xpcdoojk said:

 

 

I would recommend a new thread for this topic as the chances of people seeing your post here with the relevant experience is probably not likely.

 

jc

I tend to agree. With so many people opining on the importance of having trip insurance I thought surely someone here could speak to this.

[xpcdoojk]

12 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

GoodSam TravelAssist has family evac coverage for about $70 annually.  Don't tell the wife. 😁

 

 

I won’t!

 

I will say that even though the Amex Plat card is a luxury item, since we travel a lot and not always with the same airline (mostly fly AA, United and Delta) belonging to three different airline clubs would cost a fortune, so I would never do that.  The $200 airline reimbursement fee is a good perk, that allows me to usually book AA gift cards to pay for future plane rides, since I usually use my AA card for booking flights or United Card.  The trips to the Centurion lounge, which we visited 5 different lounges in 2018, in about 20 visits.  Was probably worth it.  I booked several “free” hotel rooms this year using the points I earned using the card.  So, I am able to justify it in my own mind, and that is all that really matters.🏄‍♂️

 

jc

[Charles4515]

21 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

 

 

I won’t!

 

I will say that even though the Amex Plat card is a luxury item, since we travel a lot and not always with the same airline (mostly fly AA, United and Delta) belonging to three different airline clubs would cost a fortune, so I would never do that.  The $200 airline reimbursement fee is a good perk, that allows me to usually book AA gift cards to pay for future plane rides, since I usually use my AA card for booking flights or United Card.  The trips to the Centurion lounge, which we visited 5 different lounges in 2018, in about 20 visits.  Was probably worth it.  I booked several “free” hotel rooms this year using the points I earned using the card.  So, I am able to justify it in my own mind, and that is all that really matters.🏄‍♂️

 

jc

 

I am flying to Dallas tomorrow on AA gift cards from the airline perk. On my return I will use the Centurion lounge. Taking Uber to the airport tomorrow is covered by the December Uber perk. With the other offers I have had addition savings. $40 will come back staying at a Hilton next week. 

 

Here is a wierd one. They have a Saks offer $50 each six months. So last week I bought a Saks gift card. Got $10 back immediately from a AMEX sync offer. Then a few days later credited $50. So in effect I paid $40 for the $50 card and came out $10 ahead. 

Edited December 27, 2018 by Charles4515

[BNBR]

Centurion lounges are often terrible. Just overcrowded, mostly uncomfortable seating, etc.  We usually don't even bother anymore. Especially with airports often having outstanding bars and restaurants. Even the seats by the gate are more comfortable than the hard plastic cafe chairs in the AMEX lounge, unless you are lucky enough to snag a decent couch. 

[Charles4515]

5 minutes ago, BNBR said:

Centurion lounges are often terrible. Just overcrowded, mostly uncomfortable seating, etc.  We usually don't even bother anymore. Especially with airports often having outstanding bars and restaurants. Even the seats by the gate are more comfortable than the hard plastic cafe chairs in the AMEX lounge, unless you are lucky enough to snag a decent couch. 

 

I thought the Centurian Lounge in Miami was good. Since I had a late flight from a cruise I really appreciated it.  Spent 4 hours there.  I have not been to the one in Dallas yet, will check it out next week. If you are ever at Dulles use your Priority Pass at the Turkish Airlines lounge. Probably  be the best airline lounge in US that you can use Priority Pass. In general Priority Pass lounges at US airports I have used have been meh. Priority Pass lounges in Europe have been  much better. . 

[xpcdoojk]

18 minutes ago, BNBR said:

Centurion lounges are often terrible. Just overcrowded, mostly uncomfortable seating, etc.  We usually don't even bother anymore. Especially with airports often having outstanding bars and restaurants. Even the seats by the gate are more comfortable than the hard plastic cafe chairs in the AMEX lounge, unless you are lucky enough to snag a decent couch. 

 

I have found the Centurion lounge in every airport I have been in to be at least as good as American Admirals or United’s or Delta’s.  The worst one I have visited was SFO, but the drinks were still good.  It was too small, but not as bad as sitting at the gate.  I have not had any bad chairs that compared to the chairs at the gates.  The internet is good, the drinks are excellent, the coffee from the machines are good.  On our recent flight from Las Vegas on AA that left at 1:30AM Vegas time, the little booths in the new DFW lounge were comfortable enough that my wife slept like a baby for 3 hours waiting for our flight home.  

 

The food ranges from good to sometimes very good.  It is never awesome but I have never thought dang I should have spent $50 for a couple of burgers and bad wine in an airport restaurant.  There are some good airport restaurants but there are no free airport restaurants or bars.

 

Tips.  Never request a double, just order two drinks.  😈

 

Just wish they had one in O’Hare because I have to fly through there too much.

 

jc

 

 

[BNBR]

To this date, 15 visits or so to the Miami lounge and I've still never been able to get a chair other than in the Cafe.  Last visit to Vegas and people were literally sprawled out on the floor in the lounge. It's horrible. 

 

I've probably tried to go to the Centurion lounges about 20 times total and only once had a good experience.

 

I don't put much value in any of the lounges anymore. It's a dying concept. They were great when airports had no facilities. Nowadays airports are rapidly building and offering awesome facilities.  The regular restaurants and bars/lounges are better than any of the "clubs". 

[xpcdoojk]

1 minute ago, BNBR said:

To this date, 15 visits or so to the Miami lounge and I've still never been able to get a chair other than in the Cafe.  Last visit to Vegas and people were literally sprawled out on the floor in the lounge. It's horrible. 

 

I've probably tried to go to the Centurion lounges about 20 times total and only once had a good experience.

 

I don't put much value in any of the lounges anymore. It's a dying concept. They were great when airports had no facilities. Nowadays airports are rapidly building and offering awesome facilities.  The regular restaurants and bars/lounges are better than any of the "clubs". 

 

OK, if you fly regularly a club is a heck of a value compared to restaurants or bars and lounges in an airport.  I have had more bad food at airport restaurants than good food at airport restaurants.  That said, the food in some of the airline lounges are bad enough that paying for bad food in the airport is probably worthwhile.  Are Centurion Lounges the end all be all of food and beverage consumption, no.... but I have to say I am happy when I have an hour to kill between flights to be stuck in the Centurion lounge.

 

JC

[critterchick]

We were in the Centurion Lounge at DFW last weekend and it was overcrowded and dirty. I get that it was 3 days before Christmas, but IMO they should have hired a few more people to clean up after the slobs who spilled food and drink everywhere but in the loo. We couldn't get a seat and ended up just leaving for our flight. We've tried MIA a couple of times and had the same experience as BNBR.

 

But I think the Platinum card is worth it for the other perks mentioned above. I just wish that they would reimburse NEXUS along with Global Entry - it's $50 less, so I don't know why they won't do it.

 

And I need to remember to look at special offers more than once every 6 months!

 

The card doesn't offer the kind of coverage OP would have needed (I skipped 2 pages of posts so forgive me it it's been mentioned). Its benefits only kick in once your travel has commenced. The Citibank AAdvantage Executive card has far better coverage, even though they recently eliminated coverage for a sick pet.

[BNBR]

6 minutes ago, critterchick said:

We were in the Centurion Lounge at DFW last weekend and it was overcrowded and dirty. I get that it was 3 days before Christmas, but IMO they should have hired a few more people to clean up after the slobs who spilled food and drink everywhere but in the loo. We couldn't get a seat and ended up just leaving for our flight. We've tried MIA a couple of times and had the same experience as BNBR.

 

But I think the Platinum card is worth it for the other perks mentioned above. I just wish that they would reimburse NEXUS along with Global Entry - it's $50 less, so I don't know why they won't do it.

 

And I need to remember to look at special offers more than once every 6 months!

 

The card doesn't offer the kind of coverage OP would have needed (I skipped 2 pages of posts so forgive me it it's been mentioned). Its benefits only kick in once your travel has commenced. The Citibank AAdvantage Executive card has far better coverage, even though they recently eliminated coverage for a sick pet.

 

Thank you!  Would think I was making this stuff up. 

 

We always go in the Miami lounge but usually end up grabbing a free bite to eat of food that has been generally poor, and the bathrooms are nice.  We then just go hang out by the gate as the seats by the gate are more comfortable and less crowded than the fancy lounge. 

 

For me the Platinum is worth it as I have a business version. One of the OPEN savings is $1,000 year which covers the $400 fee and then some... It's a no brainer for us, but not sure I'd get the personal card at the going annual rate. 

Edited December 27, 2018 by BNBR

[Charles4515]

14 minutes ago, BNBR said:

To this date, 15 visits or so to the Miami lounge and I've still never been able to get a chair other than in the Cafe.  Last visit to Vegas and people were literally sprawled out on the floor in the lounge. It's horrible. 

 

 

 

That was not our experience at the Miami lounge.  Must have been the timing. The Miami lounge is currently being expanded. I believe it is scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks. 

[BNBR]

1 minute ago, Charles4515 said:

 

That was not our experience at the Miami lounge.  Must have been the timing. The Miami lounge is currently being expanded. I believe it is scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks. 

 

It's definitely timing.  I always fly out early morning and the lounge is a disaster every time.  I have friends involved in the expansion. Hoping it helps alleviate the overcrowding issues. 

[Baron Barracuda]

Advise reading the fine print on evacuation coverage , or any insurance policy for that matter, very carefully.  Policies can vary on issues like where they will evacuate you to, what is included and who is in charge.  Some excellent discussion on cc's travel insurance forum. 

[Froggy1369]

So for shits and giggles, does anyone know if the VA will pay for Medevac back to the states should I have an emergency? I am 100% covered through them and also carry Medicare as a SSDI recipient. Not that I plan on having an emergency, but one never knows! I was in a casino in Valley Forge and somehow wound up unconcious on the floor with a busted lip and cracked orbital socket. Because it was an emergency the VA covered my ambulance and the non-VA hospital care.  I didn't get the insurance this cruise and it would be my luck that I would go into hypoglycemic shock and fall and  bust my head open. 

[critterchick]

1 hour ago, Froggy1369 said:

So for shits and giggles, does anyone know if the VA will pay for Medevac back to the states should I have an emergency? I am 100% covered through them and also carry Medicare as a SSDI recipient. Not that I plan on having an emergency, but one never knows! I was in a casino in Valley Forge and somehow wound up unconcious on the floor with a busted lip and cracked orbital socket. Because it was an emergency the VA covered my ambulance and the non-VA hospital care.  I didn't get the insurance this cruise and it would be my luck that I would go into hypoglycemic shock and fall and  bust my head open. 

 Tricare will (or so they tell us; thankfully we've never had to test it), but that's a different program from VA, so you'll need to do a little research.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

On 12/24/2018 at 9:22 PM, BND said:

It also does not hurt and it's not anyone who gave advice's fault that the OP didn't book for an earlier arrival, etc.  We've been on 25 cruises and have bought insurance for every one.  We have several upcoming trips and have insurance for them too.  We've never had to use it, but do not regret for a single second purchasing it.  Anyone who books a vacation and doesn't get insurance has no one but themselves to blame if it doesn't work out.  No one giving advice is to blame for the OP's situation and being "nice" about it doesn't help either.

And who is blaming those who gave advice?  I was just pointing out the advice given, less than a month before the trip, isn't really helpful from a practical standpoint.  That doesn't mean those people are to blame.  I feel this is all on the vacation folks who made flight arrangements the day of the cruise.. 

[SRF]

The AMEX page on the Platinum Travel Insurance benefits starts with:

 

Comprehensive worldwide travel insurance for you, your Supplementary Cardmembers, from the moment you book with your Card

 

Seems like it only applies IF you use the card to pay for the trip.  Which is the normal situation with card provided insurance.

 

If you are expecting to be covered on a trip that you did not pay for with the card, I suggest you get, IN WRITING, that you are covered from AMEX or their insurance arm.

 

 

[xpcdoojk]

15 hours ago, critterchick said:

We were in the Centurion Lounge at DFW last weekend and it was overcrowded and dirty. I get that it was 3 days before Christmas, but IMO they should have hired a few more people to clean up after the slobs who spilled food and drink everywhere but in the loo. We couldn't get a seat and ended up just leaving for our flight. We've tried MIA a couple of times and had the same experience as BNBR.

 

 

 

You guys could be describing the diamond lounge on any RCI ship with a large contingent of C&A members.  No seats, empty plates and glasses on the table tops.  I think that is the dirty you are describing which is more an indication of the people in the lounge than the staff.

 

I have not always found the seat I most desire in the Centurion lounge, but I have yet to not be able to find any seat (in fact I have always found at least two together as well).  The number of times, I have entered the DL where every seat was either occupied or saved with vicious glances at me if they thought I was thinking of sitting in it is beyond my ability to count.  😈

 

jc

 

 

[Charles4515]

5 hours ago, SRF said:

The AMEX page on the Platinum Travel Insurance benefits starts with:

 

 

 

 

Seems like it only applies IF you use the card to pay for the trip.  Which is the normal situation with card provided insurance.

 

If you are expecting to be covered on a trip that you did not pay for with the card, I suggest you get, IN WRITING, that you are covered from AMEX or their insurance arm.

 

 

 

The Medical Evacuation coverage does not require paying for the trip with the Amex Platnium Card. 

[Charles4515]

My flight to Dallas today was cancelled and the only rebooking available is tomorrow and arrives at 9:15 pm. So if it was a cruise and I had flown in a day early like I do I would still have missed the cruise. That possibility is I think is a reason to buy cruise insurance that covers everything. 

Edited December 28, 2018 by Charles4515

[SRF]

19 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

The Medical Evacuation coverage does not require paying for the trip with the Amex Platnium Card. 

 

Link/proof?

 

From their site, I am not seeing that.   It would make a big difference in the value of the card.

[xpcdoojk]

3 hours ago, SRF said:

 

Link/proof?

 

From their site, I am not seeing that.   It would make a big difference in the value of the card.

 

I copied all pertinent parts of their fine print to this thread.  I think they will pay for it if they approve it.  Which is not exactly the same as what Charles is saying.  In other words they may, my guess if you paid for nothing to get to wherever you are on the card they would not approve you.  If you paid for airfare but not cruise they might.  If you paid for everything they probably would.  I didn’t see anywhere that they definitively said call them, and they will pay to get you home.  

 

Again, I am no lawyer, but all the legalese is posted to this thread.  I know business and economics... lawyers have screwed both up.😈

 

jc

[BND]

23 hours ago, xpcdoojk said:

 

You guys could be describing the diamond lounge on any RCI ship with a large contingent of C&A members.  No seats, empty plates and glasses on the table tops.  I think that is the dirty you are describing which is more an indication of the people in the lounge than the staff.

 

 

 

jc

 

 

Well, the staff is supposed to pick up dirty plates, cups, trash as there is nowhere for members to put any of it.  All is taken by staff out of the lounge itself.  Just what are members supposed to do?  

 

This all comes down to the fact that if you are going to travel, plan accordingly.  Have insurance and plan your travel arrangements carefully or be prepared to lose your money.  Try renting a house at the beach without insurance and then if you don't show up see if you get your money back.  You won't.