Good Travel Insurance Direct story and USA return seating questing

[dede]

Firstly a good travel insurance story.

My mother and I were meant to return to Melbourne early January but she fell ill Xmas day with septicemia. She was rushed to hospital, spent a week in ICU, another week in a normal ward and then moved to a rehab care centre where she is now. The infection had moved to her hip making walking unassisted impossible. She will be fine in the long term and should make a full recovery.

I took out a policy with Travel Insurance Direct (on the advice from this forum) and they have been extremely helpful the entire time. No problems, no questions asked. They have looked after everything for us. I would recommend them to anyone. Search for discount codes as well to get even more off your policy. TIDTHANKS usually works for a $10 discount.

Secondly - It looks like they have booked us to return next Monday using our original return fare(details are still being finalised).

We were originally returning in Y (fare code S).

I just looked at our booking and I am booked in S again (upgradeable fare).
My mum is booked in J (fare code I)

We will be getting a nurse to accompany her on the flight home but I'm a bit disappointed I won't be sitting with my mum.

My original intention was to upgrade both of us to J for the return flight home as a treat for mum. I still intend to apply for an upgrade for myself but how likely do you think it will be that Qantas will let me travel with mum? Is it possible to put in a special request or should the travel insurance people do that?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I cannot assist with your question, but I found TID to be superb when I had to make a claim a year ago in Vietnam after being bitten by a monkey!!!!!!!!!!!! They ceratainly did more than the minimum.

 

[Sprucegoose]

What are the flight details Dede, we can check loadings. Can you do a points ug?

Good to head all ok. Will TiD cover the nurse in flight?

Do you know how much the total medical bill was in the states?

 

[dede]

What are the flight details Dede, we can check loadings. Can you do a points ug?

Good to head all ok. Will TiD cover the nurse in flight?

Do you know how much the total medical bill was in the states?

It's QF 108 on Mon 31. I had a look on Expert Flyer and it seemed that there weren't too many J seats sold so I might be in luck. Is that correct or should I be looking elsewhere? Yes, I can do a points upgrade but I'd just to know it was confirmed rather than sitting apart from my mum.

TID are covering everything - she needs an antibiotic drip during the flight - that's why we need the nurse!

I haven't seen the main bill from the hospital - it should be horrendous!

 

[Sprucegoose]

No you are correct wide open. I would use the points to UG ask TID how much for J, make a call from there. That's if you want certainty. If you want to chance it I would say there would only be a small chance of QF allowing you to upgrade inboard.

Anyone one else with experience here?

I take it the nurse sits with mum. What seat does she have allocated? Back of J main cabin?

 

[dede]

No you are correct wide open. I would use the points to UG ask TID how much for J, make a call from there. That's if you want certainty. If you want to chance it I would say there would only be a small chance of QF allowing you to upgrade inboard.

Anyone one else with experience here?

I take it the nurse sits with mum. What seat does she have allocated? Back of J main cabin?

Seats are unallocated at the moment and our bookings aren't linked (due to different classes?). Last I spoke to TID they said they were trying to get a nurse to accompany mum (she can't travel without one), so the booking hadn't been confirmed. I don't know how Mondial (who handle TID) and Qantas are talking to each other because I thought that if it showed up in my bookings then it was confirmed - who knows?

Yes, I'm looking for certainty with the upgrade but with Qantas there is NO certainty when it comes to upgrades. Anyone else had a similar situation?

 

[yo yo ma]

Last I spoke to TID they said they were trying to get a nurse to accompany mum (she can't travel without one)...

Thanks for the discount code... I am making a booking next week.

I would be interested to know which company / agency they use to employ the nurse (iSOS?)... when you find out can you post it or send me a PM if confidential?

 

[DC3]

This Travel Insurance Direct discount code gave a 10% discount when I used it several days ago : TIDXMAS

 

[dede]

Thanks for the discount code... I am making a booking next week.

I would be interested to know which company / agency they use to employ the nurse (iSOS?)... when you find out can you post it or send me a PM if confidential?

I spoke with the nurse yesterday when I rang Mondial (who handle the case for TID). She is one of the registered nurses who works there when you ring up with an emergency. She is travelling from Brisbane on Sunday then flying back with us Monday.

 

[ellen10]

dede - good to hear everything is working out well with your Mums recovery.

From advice on this forum I used Travel Insurance Direct on my last trip (no claims needed) and am about to use them again. So it is good to get your feed back about them.

Hope all goes well with your flight home and you get that upgrade.

 

[yo yo ma]

I spoke with the nurse yesterday when I rang Mondial (who handle the case for TID). She is one of the registered nurses who works there when you ring up with an emergency. She is travelling from Brisbane on Sunday then flying back with us Monday.

Thanks for the update... hope it all goes well for your Mum.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I spoke with the nurse yesterday when I rang Mondial (who handle the case for TID). She is one of the registered nurses who works there when you ring up with an emergency. She is travelling from Brisbane on Sunday then flying back with us Monday.

Bloody long trip for her, she will be on duty. What dedication!

Glad to hear you are been looked after DeDe.

Did you manage to sort your seating out?

Does your mother also have contact and reviews by the Underwriters Doctors?

 

[dede]

All good news.

My J upgrade came through and I was able to sit next to mum the whole way. It had been confirmed when I checked at 0800 on the day of the flight. The flight was due to leave at 1830 from JFK.

Mum was taken by ambulance to JFK and I went in a separate car with the luggage. We were all met at the airport and escorted through to the Terraces Lounge.

Qantas staff all along the way were excellent. They gave us assistance and organised wheelchairs at each transit (LAX & SYD).

We are currently in the Qantas Sydney Business lounge waiting for our connecting flight back to Melbourne.

All in all a good Travel Insurance Direct/Mondial & Qantas story.

 

[MelUser]

Great to hear.

Hope your Mum's health gets back to normal.

 

[tuapekastar]

All good news.

My J upgrade came through and I was able to sit next to mum the whole way. It had been confirmed when I checked at 0800 on the day of the flight. The flight was due to leave at 1830 from JFK.

Mum was taken by ambulance to JFK and I went in a separate car with the luggage. We were all met at the airport and escorted through to the Terraces Lounge.

Qantas staff all along the way were excellent. They gave us assistance and organised wheelchairs at each transit (LAX & SYD).

We are currently in the Qantas Sydney Business lounge waiting for our connecting flight back to Melbourne.

All in all a good Travel Insurance Direct/Mondial & Qantas story.

Good to hear things turned out OK...all the best for the rest of your Mum's recovery.

Thanks also for reporting the good insurance outcome. I switched to TID sometime last year, and while I've (touch wood) never had to claim, that's when you find out how good the insurance is.

 

[ellen10]

Good to hear all went well with the flight. Hope your Mum continues to recover well.

Its good to hear good things about TID as I use them for my overseas trips

 

[JohnK]

Sorry to hear about your mother dede. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Excellent to hear a good outcome from Travel Insurance Direct. I was with them for 3+ years and had no issues with a claim I put through for delayed luggage and also damaged luggage.

I almost regret that I bought a travel insurance policy with another insurer but I am saving ~$150 a year. Hopefully they will be as helpful as Travel Insurance Direct....

 

[Sprucegoose]

Glad to hear it all went well, it invariably works out with the Gods, you just don't know it at the time.

How is Mum recovering in Mel?

 

[dede]

Glad to hear it all went well, it invariably works out with the Gods, you just don't know it at the time.

How is Mum recovering in Mel?

She is slowly recovering at home - only came home from hospital last Wednesday. I'll try to post a total of the hospital bills when they all come in.