Flight booked to new zealand - going to be 30 weeks pregnant!!

[tigerlilt]

Hi, just looking for some advice. A few months ago we booked flights to new zealand for January for 2 weeks, with BA. I recently found out i’m pregnant which means i’m going to be 28/30 weeks pregnant at the time. Having done some advice i’ve decided it probably isn’t going to be sensible to go, especially as i’m at high risk of premature birth due to uterus didelphis (double uterus).

What would our grounds be for cancellation? would we loose all the money? Or have we got a chance of getting some money back/ flight credit?

My thoughts are a) tell the airline we have been advised not to travel by the doctor. or b) say i’ll be 36 weeks, therefore the airline wont ’let’ me fly, maybe more chance of a refund. Although i know it’s not ideal to lie, and not sure if they will check!!

Just exploring options and thought i’d see if anyone has any knowledge/ experience.

Have you taken out travel insurance? If so they may cover it.

otherwise it will depend on the airline. Which airline is it?

Don't hold your breath with insurance I've just been diagnosed with a heart irregularity, no idea previously, hospitalised a week before we were due to fly, hospital and GP letters saying this isn't a pre existing condition and I have been told not to travel as it's currently under investigation and not well managed. Insurance are being very very difficult.
Were you trying to conceive? Can you bring the holiday forward a few months?

You need to check your booking conditions. Most BA fares are changeable for a relatively small fee.

What does your travel insurance say? I

we were planning on taking our travel insurance closer to the time, feeling stupid now but was a surprise pregnancy so didn’t think to! Also can’t really bring it forward as it’s a wedding we’re meant to be going for!

Airline is british airways, and haven’t taken out insurance yet

I know this doesn’t help but for anyone else you do need to get Travel Insurance when you buy your holiday/flights.

You’re going to have to speak to the airline.
what about changing them to much later and taking the baby.

I think anything medically related they will want evidence from Drs.

It depends what the cancellation policy is on the BA flights. Some are non- changeable non-refundable. Some are more flexible

Too late as you have no travel insurance. Always take it out when you book a trip. Usual policy of airline will apply unless BA are generous.

would it be worth taking out travel insurance now?

Why would you take out insurance now if you're not going to be taking the trip?

No it’s too late

sorry i’m just trying to understand! just thought it would be worth taking it out now and trying to claim closer to the time! i’ve not been in this situation before so exploring all options that’s all!

The BA website states you need a fit to travel form from a doctor to travel after 28 weeks. Book a doctor's appointment and explain that this is not an uncomplicated pregnancy (which they are required to certify) and see if you can get a letter to that effect. And then phone them and explain that your doctor won't certify you as fit to travel. https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/travel-assistance/medical-conditions-and-pregnancy

You just need to check with ba - all deals are different but I have changed flights before with ba for a small fee. I wouldn’t lie though - you are likely to be asked for proof if you are trying to get a refund on the tickets. I suspect also most insurances don’t pay out for pregnancy it’s not an illness - maybe a medical problem caused by pregnancy.

thankyou so much! hoping we can do this and get some kind of credit this way!

You can’t take it out now and use for that reason.

As it’s a ‘pre existing’ Medical situation.

That would be like having a break-in (burglary) at home then getting Home Insurance after it and then claiming for that break-in.
sorry for the crude explanation !

It would be quicker and easier to read the small print on your purchase confirmation to see your options. Unless you have and it’s notn refundable or changeable and so you are scouting to see what success others have had.

No too late to take it out now, for claiming they’ll ask for proof and your medical records will show you knew you were pregnant before you took out insurance.

No, any travel insurance taken out now will not pay out for this. You know you’re pregnant, you would have to have not known, or not been pregnant, when you took out your policy.

And check the flight rules for your ticket.

I can’t see anything on my ticket or in the email, it just says they offer free cancellation within 24 hours of booking.

Completely understand i sound like an idiot tbh, just trying to figure out how we can loose as little of £3000 as possible with a baby on the way!

If your tickets are non-refundable, then you are unlikely to be able to claim back the full cost - you pay less for non-refundable due to the fact that there is no flexibility. It's possible that you might be able to claim back some taxes etc.

Could you leave it for a while, and see if BA moves your flight? It does happen occasionally, especially when booking several months in advance. If they did move the flight by a significant amount, then you'd be entitled to a refund. It's not all that likely to happen, but it's certainly not unheard of.

Do you pay for your bank account? If you do, they often include travel insurance.

As soon as you book, you take out insurance. Not much help to you now, but it’s so important.

Airlines typically do not refund tickets for pregnancy, but they may do so at their discretion.

Ask the airline if you can delay by a year due to being a high risk pregnancy.