Will USA close down flights again

[justasking111]

Parents so excited flying out Tuesday to visit DB for two weeks in LA. I'm concerned for two reasons. One mum is post breast cancer, two dad has health issues. The first insurance quote was £700, they've found one for £200.

Are they going to be covered for health and cancelled flights. Did they tell the truth or lie to get cheap insurance.

Of course they may well get away with it. The new variant is what's worrying me. Don't ask me to mention it because they'll bite my head off

They're in their seventies

Does the insurance quote for £200 cover them for pre-existing conditions? I would strongly doubt it - it sounds far too cheap. If they have not declared any existing medical conditions the insurance will be invalid for any condition and frankly a waste of £200, they may as well not bother.

USA is not a place to travel to without adequate health insurance, the costs of a hospital stay could easily be financially crippling. Make sure they get proper insurance that covers them for their existing conditions and that they accurate disclose these on any application forms.

I dont think the US will stop flights right now bur if we allow this new varient to run rampant them i could imagine that they would do.
£200 for insurance when over 70 and with health issues sounds a bit cheap but I guess it depends what health issues your parents have and what they have decided to exclude from being covered.
How long are they going for, hopefully it will be a smooth trip for them!

When fil goes to the usa his insurance usually comes to more than the flights ( heart condition) …

@ChequerBoard

Does the insurance quote for £200 cover them for pre-existing conditions? I would strongly doubt it - it sounds far too cheap. If they have not declared any existing medical conditions the insurance will be invalid for any condition and frankly a waste of £200, they may as well not bother.

USA is not a place to travel to without adequate health insurance, the costs of a hospital stay could easily be financially crippling. Make sure they get proper insurance that covers them for their existing conditions and that they accurate disclose these on any application forms.

Too late now everything set in stone, they'd lie to me anyway. Dad's really not been well all summer, mums driving this. I wish and suggested she go solo

Sometimes having your head bitten off is the lesser evil. Ask then if they've got half a million stashed away to spend on US health care?

Dad's ex military totally intractable, a misery guts to be honest. Women should know their place crap. Nothing I say would have any affect. I'm somewhat gobsmacked mum has pulled this off, he certainly doesn't want to go

My Dad had a heart attack in the States. Fortunately he took insurance out a few days before travelling. 10 days in intensive care was 200000 dollars, 20000 a day. He was repatriated via a private intensive care jet from West Coast. That cost 150000.

My father had a heart attack in the US over 20 years ago and even back then the hospital bill was in to 6 figures. That was without air ambulance home as he recuperated in his sisters house over there.

With NY declaring state of emergency, I would advice my parents to cancel, if it were me.

Not a snowball's chance in hell I would travel to the US with travel insurance that was less than kosher! You could, quite literally, end up bankrupt if you become I'll and are not covered (or worse...you won't be treated!)
I was very unwell in the USA a few years ago and my one day stay in hospital cost 120,000 US $ -my travel insurance covered that.

Please tell your Mother what we have all said here,

And they will chase for payment until the bitter end. Over 57% of personal bankruptcies in the USA are due to healthcare debts.

I wish people would think a bit more about that when slating the NHS. Sure it is not perfect, and reforms are needed but wishing for a privatised system like the USA is sleepwalking into dystopian levels of financial misery for those that can least afford it.

Mum won't listen she's dug her heels in now. They've paid for the flights through the post office dad says some card recommend in his newspaper 🙈

I work for a credit card company and we get a lot of calls about flights and covid. So...

IF the flights get cancelled by airline, airline need to give them a full refund. They may offer credit or rebook but parents can say no, we want a refund.

IF your parents were to decide they didn't want to go, airline doesn't owe them a penny. Credit card won't do anything if flights still flying but parents decided not to fly. Insurance may cover in those circumstances

IF parents get covid and can't fly, airline and credit card won't do anything. Insurance may kick in.

Some insurance policies specifically say they won't cover flights cancelled due to Covid. So, worst case, if they cancel they may not get a penny back. If airline cancels they'll get flights refunded. Accommodation (if there is any, I don't think you've mentioned whether they are staying in a hotel or with your brother) will not refund if hotel still open and room available, even if flight cancelled and parents not allowed into US. insurance may cover this, in those circumstances

I have had 18 months of this, I never wanted to be a travel agent 🤣

My mum broke her wrist in a fall while on holidays in Chicago about six years ago.Her wrist was operated on as a day case in the week following and the bill was $40.000! thankfully she was properly insured.Do not let them go without adequate insurance!

@Insidelaurashead thanks for this.

They're being so bullheaded mum thinks this will be the last time they can go. Dad's having a few odd symptoms mentally as well as unresolved health issues he's under investigation for

I would just wish them a lovely trip. They are adults capable of making their own decisions after all. I’m sure your brother knows the score on the cost of medical treatment so has made them aware? It might do your Dad the world of good spending time with his son in a warm place. At least they have him over there if anything goes wrong.

I (age 50) have recently booked to go to New York for 5 days with my adult DD in January and the cheapest travel insurance quote I found was £95. I only have hypothyroidism, DD no heath issues, so £200 does sound quite cheap at their ages for two weeks if they’ve both had medical issues.

Get you brother to talk to them about the insurance they might take his advice with him living there

My dad is a citizen and I still make sure I am fully insured it’s just not worth it. Last time I think I paid about £90 for ds and I (no health conditions)

I can understand why they want to go but seriously they really must get legit health insurance. Is there anyway you, your brother, the rest of the family could chip in to help with the insurance costs?

Alternatively as your brother is younger (and presumably healthier?), could he come over here instead?

If you want to be sure they have good insurance cover for any pre-existing conditions - try this comparison site here.

Back to the question of cancelling flights….unlikely. Flights have operated continuously throughout COVID, albeit a reduced schedule but they were operating. My mother is currently visiting me here in the US from the UK. She is due to go back next week and I don’t foresee any problems with the flight being cancelled.

200 quid sounds cheap for travel insurance with pre-existing conditions.

I used to work in travel insurance, always declare any pre existing illnesses, if you lie and it’s found out the policy can be cancelled. A travel policy that doesn’t cover you properly is a complete waste of money, especially when travelling to the US, where medical charges are extremely expensive. Not worth the risk.