Ready to book that dream cruise, tour, or resort?  Be sure to know the terms and conditions of cancellation.

OK. You just booked that travel experience that you’ve been dreaming about for years.  Congratulations!

But, do you know the terms and conditions in the unlikely event that you need to cancel the trip in the future?

What could be more frustrating than having to cancel a trip that you’ve been dreaming about for years?  Well, having to cancel your trip and having to pay a large cancellation fee.

And what’s worse, depending on when you cancel, the cancellation penalty could well be 100% of your travel investment.

Know Your Travel Cancellation Policy Before Booking

Whenever you make a travel booking, besides simply looking at the price tag, you should also scroll to the bottom of the quote to fully understand the terms and conditions.  And, this is especially true when it comes to the travel provider’s cancellation policy.

If you’re booking a cruise or land tour, there will be a sliding scale cancellation policy that puts your travel investment more and more at risk as you near the date of departure. And ofttimes, when you reach the 90-day window, your investment is 100% at risk if you must cancel.

With hotels and resorts, the cancellation window is much shorter.  Here, you’re likely to find a 100% cancellation penalty if you cancel a day or two before your check-in. However, there’s a growing trend to move these dates forward, and you will also find that trendy resorts in busy destinations will have a much stricter policy.

So, rather than being upset later, go in with your eye wide open and clearly understand your travel provider’s cancellation policy.

Lastly, because life is full of uncertainty, we highly recommend that you protect your travel investment with travel insurance.

I know.  I know.  All of this negative talk is absolutely no fun.  You’re dreaming of sipping wine in a sidewalk cafe on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, and I’m poking a hole in your daydream.  However, if you are forced to cancel your dream vacation, you’ll thank me later.

OK, now back to your daydream!  🙂
 
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