You've bought airline tickets to Tel Aviv or Cairo. After watching the evening news, you're having second thoughts. But why should an airline owe you a refund if they go ahead with the risk, sending crews and equipment to the destination as promised?
The first answer is they owe you nothing, and all standard penalties apply.
But it doesn't always work out that way.
An example: Continental Airlines offered full refunds on tickets to the Middle East for five weeks after a State Department warning was issued a few years ago. Penalties for making changes on non-refundable tickets dropped, allowing people to consider deferred travel at the same prices.
"We consider the situation and then we decide," said a Continental spokesperson at the time. "There is no formula. It's done case-by-case."
Airlines gave travelers similar breaks when fires ravaged the western United States or hurricanes raked the Gulf Coast.
Many trips to the Middle East are booked through tour operations, which are even more likely to offer breaks for wary travelers.
In places like Israel and Egypt, tourism is a vital cog in the workings of the economies. If word spreads among travelers that tours are not refundable when problems arise, that pipeline of cash could dry up quickly. Look for ground-based vendors to cut deals that allow refunds or deferred travel.
Beware: travel companies do not have uniform policies on this matter. A reputable travel agent will make you aware of these differences before booking the trip and taking your money.
What you need to know about making a sound choice
Never sacrifice safety for savings This first rule of budget travel must not be lost in any discussion. If you feel uncomfortable with your decision, make some inquiries. Get good information based on reason rather than emotion.
Know the refund policies Before booking, get written confirmation that refunds will be made if dangers flare. Consider paying more for the services of a company willing to guarantee refunds.
Don't be swayed by news footage alone Some of the fighting you see in news coverage is isolated, and it occurs in areas where you would never be allowed to go in the best of times. Veteran travelers to Israel and other world hot spots will tell you the troubles often are not widespread.
Consider multiple sources The U.S. State Department receives much criticism for what some see as an abundance of alarmism. Diplomats counter they prefer to err on the side of caution. What are Canadian diplomats saying? British? Israeli? You may well find a very different picture painted by each source. When you do not, the situation is serious indeed.
Warnings Abound The U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings for no less than 28 nations since March 2008. The warnings do not prohibit anyone from entering those countries. The idea is that you do so at your own risk.
There is no intent here to single out Israel or any other Middle Eastern nation for excessive danger. But among those 30 nations, Israel is a far more popular destination than, say, Liberia or Albania.
Are you wondering what the Hillel group decided? They went through with their trip. But member Landon Schechter summed up the difficulty of the considerations: "It's important to a student's spirituality," Schechter says. "but if it's so dangerous that we can't go...we'll go next year."
Planning Links You Need
British Consular Warnings show British government's take on international hot spots.
Canadian Government Warnings include country-by-country information for international travelers.
U.S. State Department issues advisories for the diplomatic corps and U.S. travelers. Some say State is far too cautious. Disregard the advice at your own risk.
