AIBU to want to book a holiday?

[beckywiththeshithair39]

Are people still booking holidays? Dp and I just had a disagreement over our family summer holiday. We were hoping to book yesterday but he's now saying we shouldn't because of coronavirus and the Greek island we were looking at could be the next affected blah blah blah. I can totally see where he's coming from but feel really disappointed because it's something to look forward to. We were looking at a popular resort and hotel which might book up. We wouldn't be going until August. Is he right to be cautious or should we be just carrying on as normal?

Are the rest of you still booking holidays abroad for the coming months?

I have just as much chance of getting the virus here as there

Well if China had shut all flights sooner, and nobody traveled infecting other countries, your chance would’ve been zero.

Unless it is covered by your travel insurance I wouldn't be booking.

I have a trio booked to northern Italy in September that isn't covered by insurance. I'm paying monthly for it and am wondering whether I should keep paying or cancel now.

I think I'll give it another month before deciding.

I want to book for early June, but haven't found anything yet.

I've just booked two. Going abroad on Tuesday for a week , back a week and then go on another holiday the following week. So many bargains out there right now.

Well there’s the people who don’t give a damn about others and those who do.

And then there are those who are rational and who follow FCO and WHO advice and not prone to panic or idiocy

Problem is you could have a situation where the official advice isn’t “don’t go”. But that they have a lot more cases than the U.K. and you don’t think it’s a good idea. So you then either have to go even though you think it’s risky or lose your money.

Take Rome for example.....I don’t think it’s under the current don’t travel area of Italy. But I’d say the chances of it ramping up there in the next week are higher than in my U.K. home town. Would I choose to go to Rome next week. No way.

@superoz If that term wasn't in there when you booked, I don't think it can stand though. You can't change the terms of a contract after someone has paid the deposit. Plus you may be covered by your debit or credit card provider.

We have 2 weeks booked in Greece in May. Not worrying at all.

@superoz Ignore me! I thought you'd already booked.

Problem is you could have a situation where the official advice isn’t “don’t go”. But that they have a lot more cases than the U.K. and you don’t think it’s a good idea. So you then either have to go even though you think it’s risky or lose your money.

Or you could be told to self isolate when you get back even if you aren't showing symptoms, as is happening now with people coming back from Italy. Employers and schools can implement their own policies even if the government doesn't impose it.

One of our main concerns was that our trip would involve staying in multiple hotels, any of which you could end up in lockdown. Plus we'd be making 2 overnight ferry journeys, where they currently don't disinfect cabins after each journey. Really wouldn't fancy getting sick, or getting stuck onboard like those people on the cruise ships.

We'll play it by ear but I'd sooner lose the deposit than risk it with a 3 year old and a 3 month old.

Same @SnoozyLou 2 x flights & lots of hotels I think we will end up cancelling & rebooking as it stands. Too many uncertainties & too much money to lose

Going to Stockholm next week and I've been begging DP to cancel it. He wont. And I'm scared. If things get worse then im going to hide mine and DDs passports.

Problem is you could have a situation where the official advice isn’t “don’t go”. But that they have a lot more cases than the U.K. and you don’t think it’s a good idea. So you then either have to go even though you think it’s risky or lose your money.

YOU AREN’T LOSING MONEY IT IS ALREADY SPENT

Seriously people need to get their head around the sunk costs fallacy

www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/sunk-cost-fallacy/

People are losing money - you've paid for things you aren't going to get. Whether it's sensible to go just so you don't lose money is another matter. If insurance doesn't pay out for costs you could end up paying a lot more than you anticipated. If you have to quarantine on return you could lose more money there. It's choosing the least worst option and none of the options are attractive but many people are losing thousands. Which may not be much to some on here but it is to most people. I'm an Economist and I would definitely agree it's losing money.

YOU AREN’T LOSING MONEY IT IS ALREADY SPENT

So if something you ordered online doesn’t turn up, you haven’t lost your money because it’s already spent? That’s a fairly novel way of looking at things.

I am holding off booking my long haul trip because I just cba with any travel hassle (to be more accurate, travel insurance hassle, if the worst happens and my destination gets put on the do no travel list)

It's annoying because I also like having it to look forward to, but easier I think.

We are all going away August and I will be beyond pissed off if that doesn't happen...need sunshine...

You know we'll have summer sunshine here too, right?

We have cancelled Rome for May half term. Figuring lose £120 deposit rather than the balance. At the moment you have to isolate on returning and can’t afford that. As for summer hols as someone pointed out if we can’t go on that one well... Life will have changed for a lot of people and going on holiday will be the last of our worries

It’s not losing money! Jesus Christ!

You’re not getting value from the money you spent.

If I bought a pair of shoes and they give me blisters i am only losing money if:
-I continue to wear them and have to spend money on plasters
-I have to buy another pair of shoes to replace them
If they just sit in my wardrobe unworn I am not losing money, I’m just not getting the value from them (in enjoying wearing my new shoes) I expected to get

Holidays are discretionary spending, if you don’t go on a holiday you’ve already paid for you don’t get the value from the investment but it’s not “losing money”.

The notion that people “can’t afford not to go” is absurd.

Yes the money has been spent but you are not getting the benefit you paid for, and most people won’t be able to afford another holiday.

Also in this scenario you may actually lose money if you go on holiday and then are either quarantined abroad or have to self isolate when you come home.

We have been planning to stay in the UK this year and haven't booked yet.
Suddenly everywhere is being quickly booked up and I'm thinking maybe we will end up going abroad after all!

Going to Stockholm next week and I've been begging DP to cancel it. He wont. And I'm scared. If things get worse then im going to hide mine and DDs passports.

Less cases in Sweden than the UK!

We are going to Spain for Easter and I am really wondering whether to go or not.

Until people travel to Sweden and take it with them.

I would hate to be patient zero.

The notion that people “can’t afford not to go” is absurd.

Couldn't agree more with your posts on this subject @Bubbinsmakesthree. The money is gone, you are no financially worse off, you are simply missing out on the experience of a holiday. Holidays are a luxury not a god given right necessary for survival.

I really feel for those who aren't getting to enjoy holidays that they have saved hard for and looked forward to, but the situation is what it is. If people 'can't afford' to miss out then let's hope they CAN afford to risk falling ill or becoming subject to quarantine in a foreign country, face difficulties getting home due to flight restrictions/airlines going bust etc.