Am I mad to arrange a trip of a lifetime for next summer?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

I think I'd be mad to. The teenage sons think differently of course. As does DH. None of those 3 arrange any of our family holidays so haven't a clue about the planning, prep and hassle involved but they all want to go as DH is 50 next spring, and DSs have A-levels and GCSEs. It's a California road trip.

We do have some money saved up to spend on it so it doesn't particularly have to be budget orientated. But if I'm going to be spending 15k plus on a holiday I don't want to lose the lot if one of us tests positive 2 days before travel.

What the hell are people doing about big trips and the threat of testing positive just before you go or when you're there? It doesn't seem like there are a lot of insurance policies that cover this.

@rookiemere

Staysure travel insurance definitely covers if you test positive for Covid, don't think it covers you for lockdowns though.

So does LV. Have used them for travel insurance several times during the pandemic.

We’re risking it with a trip to Bali, which I doubt will happen! Everything is refundable at the minute, therefore the risk is fairly low (but fingers and toes are well and truly crossed!) Emirates also included full Covid insurance with the flights which is added protection.

My neighbours are currently in US for a fortnight, for a family reunion. They are staying with relatives and have taken all the kit they need to work remotely, should they get stuck there due to Covid/Quarantine/Border closures.

If your heart is set in this trip, please please use a specialist travel agent. Get them to recommend the insurance cover you will need.

Yes I would plan it. Have travelled long - haul twice during Covid and am planning other trips. For various reasons I want to make the most of opportunities available now. I have a family annual travel policy from LV and that covers our whole group if we have to cancel because any member tests positive before travel or has to quarantine during the trip. It doesn't cover you if the government bans travel to your destination, but then you'd expect the airline to take care of flight rearrangements if that happened.
I think you'll always find people to validate your own attitude to risk, and on travel forums online I'm seeing equally vocal people saying "why on earth travel now?" and others saying "I'm so glad I did travel". It's important to be flexible. I have a different risk threshold for trips with just me and the boyfriend than I do for family trips (I have adults and teens), and have looked into the scenarios where someone ends up testing positive abroad.

Our staysure travel insurance covers covid, we’re still planning on booking our Aug California road trip, but just going to wait a bit longer.

Just make sure you have adequate insurance cover. Our two week summer holiday to Greece had to be cancelled and we got all our money back bar £250 which we knew we’d have to pay on the excess

OK, this year I have planned and gone on one long haul trip that went to plan, and another where I had to change destination 3 times in the 3 days before departure - first, due to some paperwork not coming thru in time, changed to 2 days later, then 20 hours before departure the holiday company cancelled that & offered a compensation credit bonus on top of a refund. So I looked at where was available for the next day, rushed out and got the PCR test required, filled in the online travel permit request for the country, and flew the next day. Had a great trip. Then had to arrange for my DC to go on a long haul trip to visit family.... PCR tests to go, took LFT kits to use before return, and ordered PCR kits for day 2 after return. Yes, it's extra hassle and expense, but we've gone into it with our eyes open. Everyone has been doing regular LFTs to reduce the risk of surprises.

We've booked a £15k-ish holiday of a lifetime for next summer ( was supposed to be this summer, but covid ). We were going to book it independently but after covid kicked off in 2020 we decided to book it as a package instead. There's a lot more protection and the costs were very comparable.

I am also doing this after cancellation last summer. I got all my money back but did cancel in advance. I am Also unsure what to do about this summer. I think like last year I will get good insurance and only book hotels with good COVID cancellations or that you pay for when leaving.

We have travelled during the pandemic, but have always booked last minute (like the week before we leave). You could plan the whole thing out and just wait until nearer the time to commit.

You just don't know nowadays. I personally wouldn't risk it, both because it is a lot of money, and a lot of work in terms of planning.

This autumn, I planned for a skiiing trip to France. Waited till as late as I felt comfortable to book in case of new travel restrictions. booked everything mid to late November (can't remember exactly). We were expected to fly on Saturday 18th December. Of course, what day did the French restrictions start?...

I didn't lose any money as everything I had booked was cancellable but it was so much and we were so excited to go, it was quite a big disappointment for everyone.

I’ve only once used an agent or booked package holiday in my life. Usually do all of the organising and booking and often complex remote travel etc. No way in hell would I do this now. 2022 I’m happy to book something shorthaul and very simple and with insurance or able to accept the loss or rebooking later etc etc. Might just book something bigger but only with really big travel company and with insurance etc. Just think this year is messy. Keep fantasising of buying a boat and just sailing away (with crew)

I don't think you are mad, but the travel restrictions are and so changeable.
We usually book several holidays a year but we're saving our money until travel goes back to normal then going to book all the holidays we've missed in one year.
We are still possibly, maybe hoping to book a last minute one in September but we'll see closer to the time.

I've gone ahead and done it OP!

Flights can be changed, hotels can all cancel 48 hours out and we will move it if we have to, but hope we don't.

Ours is New York, Washington, Florida for 3 weeks but have done the California road trip twice (4 weeks each time) and it's awesome

My 50th and dd's GCSEs and we want something to look forward to

Booked another one for October too!