Need Advice for a Weird Japan Trip Booking Scenario

fruitysalad on 11/09/2024 - 10:04

I'm planning a family trip to Japan and would love the brains trust's advice, as I have a bit of weird situation.

The trip needs to take place in late Jan 2025, returning just before school start.

I'm waiting for a medical result coming in early Nov. That result may require us cancelling / not going ahead with the trip.

I can wait until the result in early Nov and try to book flights then. My first question: how expensive would that booking delay be, compared to me trying to book now? I know that it all depends, but wondering if there are general patterns with flight prices.

Alternatively, I can start looking now and buy tickets with any-reason cancellation protection. (Unfortunately the medical thing would not be covered by travel insurance, I checked). Gotogate and similar sites for example sells a 90% voucher refund addon. My second question: Are there other 'any reason' cancellation protection services? Normal travel insurance doesn't work for this case.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 11/09/2024 - 10:14
    +9

    The reality of your situation is you can't book until early November. You're planning to travel in a peak season with no cheap fares available even now so you won't be missing out on any bargains.

  • ChipsChicky on 11/09/2024 - 10:23
    +13

    The pain to cancel will be more than the pain of paying a bit extra if results came neg, the joy of neg result will overpower some extra expense. Personally, I would wait till Nov to book.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 11/09/2024 - 10:23

    Are there other 'any reason' cancellation protection services?

    You're looking for CFAR protection.

    Sounds like it's too risky. Like you said, your travel insurance 100% will not cover a pre-existing thing like this, and you'll find that a lot of policies will have similar exclusions for cancellation reasons.

    Just book it when you know you can go.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 11/09/2024 - 10:26

    Booking.com allows free cancellations, as late as 48 hours prior to the booking date, for accommodation at some sites.

  • spackbace on 11/09/2024 - 10:35
    +4

    Pay a bit more for a fully flexible flight? Might be cheaper than waiting till November

    • redfox1200 on 11/09/2024 - 14:11

      flexible doesn't mean its refundable. will still usually only get flight credit or fee to cancel.

      • spackbace on 11/09/2024 - 14:13
        +1

        Still not far off

        Flex fares we were looking at with SA had a $130 cancellation fee. Not much to lose in the scheme of things if you need to cancel, but you'd have flights and seats already sorted if you don't need to cancel

  • askbargain on 11/09/2024 - 10:47
    +4

    can your family go without you? book a flexible ticket for yourself

    • jv on 11/09/2024 - 12:00

      can your family go without you?

      😲

  • BillyStm on 11/09/2024 - 10:49

    Cost of the added insurance plus current fares probably similar to booking in November

    • jv on 11/09/2024 - 12:00

      It's not just the cost… You many not get the flights you want if you book in Nov.

      • BillyStm on 11/09/2024 - 20:26
        +1

        Dont know why he got downvoted thats a valid point

        • jv on 11/09/2024 - 20:29
          -1

          Just irrational people…

  • starspawn on 11/09/2024 - 11:22
    +1

    Buy a flexible ticket for peace of mind, that way you take the trip another time

  • cuteseal on 11/09/2024 - 11:26
    +1

    As others have suggested, book your accommodation with free cancellation, and book flexi airfares that are either refundable or able to be rescheduled.

    I'm travelling the same period as you and my accommodation is booked through either agoda/booking.com and don't require payment until a couple of weeks before travel, and have free cancellation up to that point.

    That said, I think the prices are starting to be on the high side - best bargains and availability are usually 6+ months out. If you wait till November your accommodation choices will be either extremely limited, or you will pay through the nose.

  • AustriaBargain on 11/09/2024 - 12:48
    -3

    What are the medical results for?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 11/09/2024 - 13:45
      +3

      Not necessary to know.

      • redfox1200 on 11/09/2024 - 14:12

        unless there is a bargain for medical supplies

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