Overseas Travel - Are You Booked & Are You Still Going?

LTheMindsetTraveller on 27/02/2020 - 20:16
Last edited 27/02/2020 - 20:16

Hello =)

We have seen a dozen or so threads about upcoming booked travel and what should I do in light of this virus that is going around the world? We all have read, seen, or heard the news - multiple times per day - and have an idea what the coronavirus is, and then we reflect on how it could impact those who are travelling (or not). We could debate and argue this 'until the cows come home' and still have no resolution in what is still a dynamic virus situation.

The direction of this thread (well I hope anyway) is to see, in factual data, of who are booked, when and where are you going and IF you are still going? [prefer not to debate pros/cons of this virus]

Hopefully, we can use this format

  1. When I am going?
  2. Where I am going?
  3. Am I still going?

I'll start off with my situation:-

4 to 18 March
Thailand (Koh Samui / Koh Phangan)
Yes + wife

8-21 April
Thailand (Bangkok), Cambodia (Phnom Penh) and Singapore
Yes + wife

14-19 May
Melbourne
Yes

11 July - 3 August
France (Paris) and TBD european cities.
Yes + wife, however my parents may cancel if situation gets worse.

3 to 18 August
Singapore and Japan
Yes + wife

Travel

Comments

  • mbck on 27/02/2020 - 20:21
    +17

    I'd probably cancel March and April. By 2nd half of the year, the virus should've peaked and is dying off. Or we have a vaccine.

    Or zombies everywhere

    • lgacb08 on 28/02/2020 - 14:58
      +19

      Vaccine? You're dreaming, 17 years on and they haven't even sort out vaccine for its brother.

      • Bargain80 on 02/03/2020 - 10:40
        +1

        you mean vaccine for SARS?
        that's because SARS has gone away.
        There's no incentive to continue the vaccine development.

        • zdterry on 02/03/2020 - 13:42
          +6

          Not just no incentive. Phase 3 clinical trial cannot be done because it's gone.

          • Bargain80 on 02/03/2020 - 14:41

            @zdterry: true. Unless they intentionally infect someone with the virus

    • TEER3X on 01/03/2020 - 07:54
      +2

      Ok scientist

  • CyberMurning on 27/02/2020 - 20:22
    +38

    I'm still going because I'm sure I will get free extended holiday paid by tax payer at Christmas island at the end of my trip.

    • maximum on 01/03/2020 - 00:52
      +2

      I have already told work my plans to extend my holidays. I'm in Sweden for the next 2 weeks)

      At the last drink service on the plane on the way home I will order a hot tea - pour some in my keep cup and rub on my head when they are testing temperatures of people coming back from Europe.

      Unfortunately Christmas island is no longer on offer but they didn't have WiFi anyway so I'd prefer to go to Darwin where they are sending people now.

    • THL on 02/03/2020 - 00:05
      +1

      Go later in the year and you might spend Christmas on Christmas Island ;)

  • Taegukgi on 27/02/2020 - 20:22
    +5

    I've just received advice from Jetstar that they are cancelling all the flights to Incheon, South Korea from next week to June.

    • jackofspade on 27/02/2020 - 21:32
      +1

      I'm glad they made the decision for me

    • Melong on 02/03/2020 - 23:04

      We had Thai Airway flights to Inchoen between march 1 and 30, they rescheduled a few times, we cancelled "because they rescheduled", full refund.

  • subywagon on 27/02/2020 - 20:36
    +4

    I'm not even travelling interstate. I'll stay in Tassie and ride it out for now!

    • holdenmg on 28/02/2020 - 05:31
      +27

      I think you should establish a beachhead at Cadbury and protect the supply lines.

    • sgtdanny69148 on 02/03/2020 - 18:29

      Isn't there a confirmed case down there already?

    • shazzaj98 on 02/03/2020 - 19:03
      +5

      this didn't age well

  • slknv on 27/02/2020 - 20:38

    I booked a spain-milan flight last week before the whole covid19 thing went crazy. Meant to fly out milan-melbourne end march. Will see this weekend what the situation is like, probably will cancel that final flight, get my points back and rebook from a different european departure point - except it seems like things are spreading :(

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 27/02/2020 - 21:51

      Have a friend in the same position; was going to spend the bulk of their time in Italy and they will likely cancel this weekend.

    • Austaurean on 28/02/2020 - 09:12

      last week?,… this thing has been crazy for a month…
      there were 10k cases by 31 Jan, now its 82,500.
      It was pretty much increasing in cases by 3 to 5k a day, its been this last week where its relaxed a bit to say 1 to 1.5k a day.
      https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.h…

      I booked a trip before this broke for a 7 night stay in July, if this had broken prior to when I booked, I would not have booked.
      At the moment we are just going to ride this out and see where it goes. I am tempted to ask about cancelling..

      All nations need to get tough on this to restrict its spread.

      Remember, most likely NO Insurance Cover for the virus unless you bought into cover before it became a recognised event,
      and even then what they might cover is restrictive.
      example: https://www.insureandgo.com.au/travel-alerts.jsp

      • slknv on 28/02/2020 - 09:42
        +2

        last week?,… this thing has been crazy for a month…

        It's been crazy in china/asia but not europe until a week ago. Thought we were fairly safe going to europe but obviously that's changed a bit. Not so fussed about the prospect of 2 weeks quarantine at home in australia, but can't handle being quarantined overseas.

        • Archi on 28/02/2020 - 09:51
          +2

          you may not have a choice where you are quarantined

    • slknv on 02/03/2020 - 15:51
      +1

      Anyway, yesterday cancelled our return flight milan-doha-melbourne, cancellation cost was 12,000 asiamiles points per person (had booked qatar J through asiamiles originally). I have a feeling if I waited another week or two, I could've cancelled for free given the increase in cases in Milan, but wanted the points back sooner. Possibly we'll rebook another flight somewhere else, but it seems the sh!t is hitting the fan everywhere and paranoia/travel bans are the way of the immediate future.

      Haven't cancelled our departure flight to europe this weekend, but will probably do that in the next 48 hours

      • slknv on 05/03/2020 - 11:57

        Bah… cancelled our melb-dubai-lisbon flight too. Only lost 6000 points per person cancellation fee so escaped lightly.

        And also got an email this morning that iberia wanted to reschedule our bilbao-madrid-milan flight - called them and was able to get a refund for free - lucky outcome on that one too!

  • dingdong3000 on 27/02/2020 - 20:39
    +1

    Wait 48 hrs before flight if any flight changes you'll most likely get tickets fully refunded and if you booked through agent some are waving cancellation fees.

  • slow on 27/02/2020 - 20:39
    +2

    If I was single I would be taking advantage of cheap fares to go on holiday, like this guy

    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coronavirus-empt…

    Unfortunately my wife has bought into the mass hysteria, so it won't be happening

    • WreckTangle on 27/02/2020 - 20:53
      +1

      Yeah right, 3 cases…

    • yoey on 03/03/2020 - 09:21
      +2

      Pretty much how i traveled the Phillipines earlier in Feburary.
      Got photos of me and my misses on boracay white beach with no one in site and El Nido Islands, had a hand full of people. To put it in perperestive they say you normally cant take a photo with someone else not being in the photo.

  • sw0rdy on 27/02/2020 - 20:44
    +82

    Is this thread about coronavirus or op showcasing all the trips they've planned?

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 27/02/2020 - 21:54
      +1

      I could explain why I am still going but that's not the point of this thread;

      From the comments so far, it appears that those who are booked, many are concerned, some have cancelled. That's what I am trying to gather, rather than debating the good or bad point about this virus.

      If however you really want me to explain, there are many posts about my viewpoints on this virus.

    • Alias2000 on 01/03/2020 - 14:40
      +1

      The number of people up-voting this comment and down-voting the OPs reply shows jealousy is rife on Ozbargain. FFS it's not like the OP is asking whether he should upgrade from business to first.

    • Eeples on 13/03/2020 - 13:28
      +1

      Yes, OP is flexing.

  • saw1971 on 27/02/2020 - 20:47

    April going on a south pacific cruise with Royal Caribbean.

    June going to Japan, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Los Angeles flying with Singapore airlines (China airlines from Tokyo to Honolulu)

    If it gets worse and the cruise/airlines/hotels offer refunds then i will cancel, otherwise i am still going.

  • kerfuffle on 27/02/2020 - 20:49
    +2

    Singapore and KL late July. My mum’s worried … I’m not fussed (she wanted me to wear a mask at work too but I’m not the one who’s sick)

    • Surrealblank on 05/03/2020 - 18:47

      those who are sick often do not wear masks too…

  • datafellows on 27/02/2020 - 21:12

    My plans was to travel this week, but mid of January I cancelled plans to travel to Guangzhou China and Finland.

    Im fairly certain it is safe to travel to China late March but I believe I wont be travelling overseas coming 2-3 months.

    • yoey on 03/03/2020 - 09:22
      +1

      Don't want to scare you mate, but you dont want that passport stamp on your passport bro.
      They will stop you everywhere.

  • bluedufflecoat on 27/02/2020 - 21:21
    +1

    Was going to Japan, 20/3. Was = canceled. :(

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 27/02/2020 - 21:55

      Cancelled without (too many) penalties I hope.

      • bluedufflecoat on 28/02/2020 - 09:44

        Haven't heard back from one vendor and another said no. Maybe about $250 out of pocket and 12,000 QFF points.

  • poormansfriedchicken on 27/02/2020 - 21:23
    +30

    Just cancelled my holiday to Wuhan

    • lachhelix on 01/03/2020 - 19:40

      Silly thing to do! Why? What's happening in Wuhan?

      • CocaKoala on 04/03/2020 - 16:55
        +1

        Apparently the bats there aren't as good as they used to be.

  • rgr on 27/02/2020 - 21:24
    +5

    still going to asia, if i die then i die. 35 is a good age to die

    • irony on 29/02/2020 - 20:29
      +5

      I think that is supposed to be 27.

    • Caped Baldy on 02/03/2020 - 10:31

      Pretty low chance unless you have a pre existing condition. So far only one Aussie has died and he was in his late 70s. Still more likely to die in a car crash…

      • Hasbulla on 04/03/2020 - 10:41
        +1

        Also, you are more likely to die in a car crash than: Fall, Gun Assault, Pedestrian Incident, Motorcyclist, Drowning,Fire or Smoke, Choking on Food,
        Bicyclist, Accidental Gun Discharge, Sunstroke, Electrocution, Radiation, Extreme Temperatures and Pressure,
        Sharp objects, Cataclysmic Storm,
        Hot surfaces and substances, Hornet, wasp and bee stings, Dog attack, a passenger on an aeroplane, Lightning, Railway passenger

  • s1n1ster on 27/02/2020 - 21:42
    +3

    Still going to Peru in April

    • Fletch on 03/03/2020 - 23:10

      Peru is awesome! Have fun!

  • ddxsamx on 27/02/2020 - 21:47
    +3

    My plans were to travel to HKG and Japan today.

    Me wife baby parents and brother - cancelled with full refunds (made it even sweeter)

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 27/02/2020 - 21:56

      Good outcome!

    • PVA on 29/02/2020 - 20:34

      Even hotel bookings and any other things you’ve paid for.

      • ddxsamx on 29/02/2020 - 21:26
        +2

        Yep, even accomodation. It was a no cancellation booking but under these special circumstances they gave me a refund. Novotel HK

        • bobbieb on 29/02/2020 - 21:32

          Wow, I hope that booking.com and the hotel are so generous to me if I decide to cancel.

  • Emli on 28/02/2020 - 00:00

    Due to fly to Xian on April 6. Refunds are only until March 31.

  • Meho2026 on 28/02/2020 - 01:17
    +4

    May
    UK & Italy
    Yes, I am going unless I drop dead beforehand.
    I reckon the media is misrepresenting the facts and causing mass hysteria.

    • nomoneynoproblems on 29/02/2020 - 19:07

      Yes misrepresenting the facts aka way more people have it and have died, especially in China.

      China are locking up dissidents, journalist and anything else related to it, what does that tell you? There's still a lot that we don't know about, let alone long term side effects. I'm not saying we need to go in lock down but you know how can't give blood if you've been in the UK during the mad cow pandemic?…only to compromise your health because it's "not that bad". You breaking your leg isn't that bad either because less than 2% of people that do die. Lol pls. Good luck in your quarantine goals on the way back home, I'm sure work would be thrilled. Just make sure you have an extra 2 weeks up your sleeve.

      • bobbieb on 29/02/2020 - 19:21
        +2

        To be fair, what's happening in the current hotspots is largely moot. Once the world hits pandemic stage the efforts will likely swiftly switch away from containment. So no more quarantine.

        Once a virus progresses beyond the point that it can be contained, quarantining people becomes largely futile. The focus shifts to things that slow the virus's spread through the population.

        This is a good read.

        … what’s about to change: the end of most quarantines, travel restrictions, contact tracing, and other measures designed to keep “them” from infecting “us,” and the switch to measures like canceling mass events designed to keep us from infecting each other.

      • Icecold5000 on 29/02/2020 - 19:42
        +7

        Yes misrepresenting the facts aka way more people have it and have died, especially in China.

        Yep, CCP are a bunch of lying commie c**ts who cannot be trusted.

  • Cybella on 28/02/2020 - 01:19
    +3

    I was meant to be on my cruise which which left last Saturday from Perth to Asia. The cruise line cancelled our cruise about a week before sailing thankfully. We will receive a complete refund from the cruise line.

  • SydneySwan on 28/02/2020 - 07:52

    Trips booked;

    Philippines March 18 - 7 days
    Japan May 16 - 16 days

    Have no intention of cancelling either. I will be going to Europe (Poland, Germany, UK) in October but not yet booked as expecting very cheap flight options to become available.

    Went on a cruise from Feb 16 - 23. Returned unscathed except for a lighter wallet.

    • SydneySwan on 14/03/2020 - 09:33
      +1

      Update - no longer going to Philippines. Local airlines there seem to have halted all internal flights to / from Manila under a government order whcih completely messes up our island-hopping schedule. Citizens of countries with Covid-19 local transmission banned (not clear if Austrlia is included or not) as are citizens from countries that have travel bans on Filipinos.

      • The J man on 15/03/2020 - 12:55

        Yep, the Philippine domestic aircraft travel ban to/from Manila has killed our trip too.

        Originally was scheduled to go to Cebu via Hong Kong on April 6th - 28th on Cathay Pacific, but they cancelled our flight and agreed to refund when the Hong Kong travel ban was announced by the Philippine government.

        Rebooked with Philippine Airlines to go direct to the Philippines for the same dates to bypass the Hong Kong ban, but now this has occurred, I'll take it as a sign. Will be contacting PAL tomorrow and see if we can get a refund, if not, then a voucher for future travel. Hotels were pre-paid and non-refundable so worst case that's a loss, but maybe they'll give a voucher for future use, considering we can't get there now because of this.

        • SydneySwan on 18/03/2020 - 09:40
          +1

          All international flights into Manila cancelled from March 20 for I think 30 days (not sure of exact timing).

    • SydneySwan on 18/03/2020 - 09:39

      Update - no longer going to Japan as Virgin has cancelled all international flights until mid-June. I will try to reschedule trip to the UNSW mid-semester break at end of August. I like to support Virgin but hope they make a cash refund rather than a future credit as I would prefer to book the best flight option rather than be tied into a Virgin flight as I really doubt they will be making daily flights by August. I suspect that they will launch the service at 2 or 3 times per week.

  • bobbieb on 28/02/2020 - 07:54

    I'm meant to be flying out to Thailand in few weeks.

    Still undecided whether to cancel or not. I'll likely make a call within the last week.

    I used my Amex flight credits for this trip, apparently the credits don't get refunded on cancellation.

    • bobbieb on 13/03/2020 - 13:14

      I pulled the plug yesterday and cancelled three days from heading off.

      In the end, it wasn't the concern that I my catch corona while away. Rather, the uncertainty around the escalating restrictions on both ends and flight disruptions.

      As of yesterday, the thai government had announced withdrawal of visa on arrival for all 18 countries that had that arrangement. For countries like Australia that are visa exempt, we were unaffected, but the situation was way too volatile to stomach.

      • Chickenleg on 14/03/2020 - 06:45

        I’m going on Wednesday, wasn’t really worried before but these last couple of days have got me sweating a bit. Wondering if it’s going to be a bit of a ghost town in Phuket next week.

        Seems like the visa suspensions might me on hold though? Although I can only find one other reference besides this one https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/coronavirus-thaila…

        • bobbieb on 14/03/2020 - 17:47

          We weren't impacted by the visa changes since Aussies are via exempt, but if you've been following various announcements, there's understandably been a lot of confusion all round - mainly driven by a rather scatter-gun approach to policy.

          That we a deal breaker for me. Having to deal with written policy vs random interpretations thereof vs what is actually happening on the ground was way too much for an already difficult situation.

          (For the 18 countries, the change was off for about a day, then on again.)

          • Chickenleg on 14/03/2020 - 18:03
            +1

            @bobbieb: I can definitely understand the decision to cancel. Welp, I’ll update here if I’m stuck in Thailand 😆

        • bobbieb on 14/03/2020 - 18:28

          Oh… I meant to mention.

          One of the more recent additions to policy is the addition of a new form that you may have to complete before going through Thai customs.

          The preferred way of filling it out is via a smartphone app - the theory is that you fill it in, submit it and show the customs officer the acknowledgement screen. (I have no idea how the app is meant to work if you have more than one person in your party and not enough smartphones to go around :| )

          If you don't have data roaming on your smartphone, you may wanna pre-download the app. Search for the "AOT Airports" app in the AppStore/Google Play Look for the big red COVID-19 button.

          Good luck!

  • elgrande on 28/02/2020 - 08:04
    +2

    Yes + wife

    I see what your doing there…

  • Archi on 28/02/2020 - 09:36
    +1

    was going to hong kong Taiwan in april but the airline already cancelled our flights so we didn't have a choice

    will be going to japan in june unless they cancel my flights on that as well

    and LA and vegas in November too early to say what will happen

    need to think about
    - not about catching the virus but who you could potentially spread it to. eg if you had a close family member that you live with that has a respiratory illness, I think its irresponsible for you to go putting that person at risk even though they themselves didn't go anywhere.
    - potential for quarantine, time is money not everyone can afford to stay away from family and work for extended periods of time.
    - going on holidays but the destination your going to suddenly turns into a ghost town, or is suddenly affected by the virus the vibe and environment may not be a pleasurable experience.

    on the flip side, depending on location and style holiday

    • being quarantined in a seaside resort cant be that bad
    • less tourists in certain places
    • accommodation and travel is cheaper
    • TheMindsetTraveller on 28/02/2020 - 10:10

      Yes personally I am not concerned if I catch this virus - chances I feel are slim in any case.

      My biggest issue/concern is 1. people judging/ worrying about me (if I do / don't have it) and 2. actual having it and not knowing it and may be passing it.

      • Archi on 28/02/2020 - 10:12
        +1

        a friend of mine pulled out of a boys trip recently only because his wife has pretty severe asthma if she caught the virus the likely hood of her being really ill is a high chance. you just got to pick your battles.

    • bobbieb on 28/02/2020 - 10:54

      being quarantined in a seaside resort cant be that bad

      I'm more concerned about one of us actually catching it and getting slugged with a huge hospital bill that travel insurance won't cover.

      • Archi on 28/02/2020 - 10:56

        nobody wants a bill like that.

        having said that being quarantined is different to being ill requiring medical care

  • petestrash on 28/02/2020 - 10:45

    Japan mid April for a week, still going at this point.

  • Slinky0111 on 28/02/2020 - 11:05

    August 14th to the 29th.
    Greece
    Only just booked 2 weekends ago and got travel insurance through covermore so we can cancel anytime. So yes we are still going. Flying bne - sin - ath

  • The GM on 28/02/2020 - 15:32

    Getting married overseas - Italy - Travelling all over Europe as part of a Buddy/ Honeymoon. All going ahead.

  • billy3000 on 28/02/2020 - 19:28
    +1

    Japan in June for 18 days.. Not sure what's going to happen.. We booked business seats on points and paid taxes.. Don't really know if Qantas will refund the points? Assume we will pay a 5k points cancel fee? Can't even get them on chat to ask them.

    If they cancel the Olympics we will probably cancel the trip :(

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 28/02/2020 - 20:32
      +2

      You pay the cancellation fee (iirc 6,000 points per passenger) and you will get the original points and taxes refunded.

      • billy3000 on 28/02/2020 - 20:51

        Thank You for the info, very much appreciated - do you think it's 6k points each leg or for the booking? On the one booking is Mel-Syd-Osaka-tokyo-Mel

  • Bystander on 28/02/2020 - 20:44

    KUL in July
    I'll make a decision in June
    Right now it looks OK

  • Chickenleg on 28/02/2020 - 21:36
    +1

    I’m also going to Thailand on the day you leave. Thinking it should be ok.

  • roonie on 29/02/2020 - 17:29

    Koh samui in May
    Italy in September

  • OzzyOzbourne on 29/02/2020 - 17:40

    Private jet to my private island so no problems here

    • lachhelix on 01/03/2020 - 19:41

      Can I come too?

      • bobs burgers on 03/03/2020 - 19:01

        You realise he is a bond villain, you will be collected by Jaws or whichever hired goon is oncall

  • melay0326 on 29/02/2020 - 19:13
    +3

    2weeks from now going to Europe then Canada/US then Japan/Taiwan on our way back to AU. Flights has not been cancelled by our airlines so husband and I are still going. Who know what will happen during those 5weeks. No kids so if we get the virus at least we lived our lives to the fullest.

  • Vert93 on 29/02/2020 - 19:27

    Arrived in Tokyo 2 days ago after Cathay Pacific flights cancelled 25/2 and rebooking with Air Malaysia. I am out of the way in Hakuba snowboarding though.

    Had a good laugh at all the nuffies wearing face masks on the plane. Not too worried.

  • Ononono on 29/02/2020 - 20:29

    I arrived in Korea last week just a few days before it started to get really bad. Honestly it has been pretty good, I've never seen Seoul so empty. Usually you have to wait up to a few hours or have a reservation to get into the popular restaurants and attractions but I've been able to walk in easily everywhere. If the airlines weren't cancelling services and you're young and healthy, it would've been a great time to visit. Sadly I have to return two weeks early from my trip because my airline has cancelled services.

  • snackerjoe on 29/02/2020 - 21:19

    Booked a flight to Japan for the fam in Sept school holidays, hope it should be cleared out by then…

  • Luckyuser on 29/02/2020 - 21:33
    +1

    Auckland - April 2-6 YES
    Bali - May 20-27 NOT SURE
    Kuala Lumpur- Oct 13-20 NOT SURE

    I have a 19 month old, I initially wasn’t worried about it but after all the media coverage regarding the virus it’s starting to freak me out plus my family chiming in. Bali will be our first family holiday plus celebrating hubby’s 30th so I hope everything’s ok then.

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