Consumer Alert: Can you expect a refund on canceled travel plans due to coronavirus concerns?

If you’ve made travel plans that you don’t want to go through with due to concerns around the coronavirus, how much of your money can you expect to get back?

News 12 Staff

Mar 6, 2020, 6:02 PM

Updated 1,603 days ago

Share:

If you’ve made travel plans that you don’t want to go through with due to concerns around the coronavirus, how much of your money can you expect to get back?
Despite everyone from the New York City subway system to major airlines scrambling to sanitize their environments, one study finds that 1 in 8 Americans have already changed their travel plans. If you are considering canceling your own plans, there are a few ways you can expect to receive your refund.
Most airlines will let you change or cancel flights at no charge, though you may be required to book a new flight within the next year.  Discount carrier Spirit Airlines has not announced any fee waivers, but says customers who need to make changes should give them a call.
The situation around canceling your lodging depends on a few factors. For hotels booked at the standard refundable rate, you can easily cancel and get your money back. However, if you booked a cheaper, prepaid rate, you’ll generally only get a refund if the hotel closes. If you used Airbnb, the service lists “viral outbreaks” as grounds for a refund, but says it reviews each request on a case-by-case basis.
Amtrak has made changing travel plans by train easy for its customers by waiving change fees on all tickets purchased until the end of April.
The coronavirus has actually made car travel cheaper due to a huge drop in demand from China. Prices at the pump are 6 cents a gallon cheaper than they were last month in New Jersey, 8 cents cheaper in New York, and 7 cents cheaper in Connecticut. The prices are expected to keep falling over the next couple of weeks.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program