Get Your Money Back When Travel Emergencies Come Up Scams & Fraud

Illness Sinks a Cruise and Costs Thousands

Refunds are the exception not the norm so here' s how to protect yourself

Istock Buying travel insurance is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself if unexpected problems occur before you travel. To celebrate almost a half century of marriage, AARP members Camille and Jim Barco of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, were with Viking River Cruises from Paris into western France. Their dream turned into an emotional and when, less than a month before their April 2014 departure, Jim was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The $7,305 they'd spent upfront on the cruise would have been a big help in offsetting the escalating medical bills, but because the diagnosis came so close to the travel date, the riverboat reservations were not refundable. Cruise lines and other travel carriers are understandably restrictive about last-minute cancellations. Most of their operating costs are fixed, and every empty seat or stateroom is lost revenue. Given the health crisis that swamped the Barcos, we hoped the company might have a change of heart. Thankfully, Viking River Cruises generously agreed to a full refund. But such "compassionate" refunds are the exception, not the rule. Here's how you can protect yourself in a similar situation. • Buy travel insurance. • Consider refundable or transferable tickets. • Use a credit card for payment. • Politely make your case. The good news is that some companies are willing to make exceptions. Consumer advocate writes the On Your Side column for AARP and is the author of Unscrewed: The Consumer's Guide to Getting What You Paid For. Got a complaint? Tell your consumer woes to Ron at . Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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