Flex fares vs travel insurance

[PaulST]

Hi all, I've got an upcoming trip to the US and I was looking at purchasing several domestic flights. From what I've gathered, flying in the US is cheap, especially in first class (which I understand is like our domestic business class). From what I've found, I can see quite a few well-priced F fares that are cheaper than flex Y fares.

I have organised travel insurance through my normal professional indemnity insurance, which is meant to be quite reasonable (and better than the standard platinum CC travel insurance).

My question is, if I buy non-flex fares and end up missing a flight (delayed previous flight, car accident on the way to the airport, or I simply get delayed in traffic), will my travel insurance cover me, or will they say that I should have bought flex fares?

Many thanks.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Read the travel insurance PDS thoroughly and first zoom in on the paragraph "we will not pay" but there should be a clause regarding missed or cancelled flights.

I wouldn't think the insurance company would refuse to pay just because you didn't pay heaps more for a flexi ticket - that sounds crazy.

If you have connecting flights on the same airline and experience a delay or flight disruption that's the fault of that airline and you miss the connecting flight as a result then they should rebook you on another flight without penalty so you wouldn't even need to make a claim on travel insurance.

If you have a car accident or some other event that is not caused by the airline then you would need to make a travel insurance claim for any out of pocket expenses however read the PDS thoroughtly to ensure you understand what they won't cover.

What airline are you flying with on the way home? Will you be just flying eg LAX/SYD or do you have an inbound connecting flight from elsewhere in the US and if so what airline?

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the reply. The only situation where I've got two flights on the same day is MEL-LAX (Qantas, prem econ) and LAX-LAS (AA, first class) so I suspect I'll be looked after since they're both OW as well as the second flight being in F.
The rest of the internal flights are with Virgin America, Alaskan and AA and they're all entry level F tickets).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the reply. The only situation where I've got two flights on the same day is MEL-LAX (Qantas, prem econ) and LAX-LAS (AA, first class) so I suspect I'll be looked after since they're both OW as well as the second flight being in F.
The rest of the internal flights are with Virgin America, Alaskan and AA and they're all entry level F tickets).

You'll be looked after by AA because of their very generous policy with regards to connecting flights between oneworld airlines. being in F really makes no difference in the USA - cabins routinely go out 'full' whether because people have paid full F, cheap F, are connecting form international business class flights, or because they get free upgrades.

If you are flying on a discounted 'instant upgrade' first class ticket, note that AA will only guarantee your transport in the economy cabin. The 'instant upgrade' is not guaranteed - although you have the option to wait for the next flight on which first is available (but - given all the above people in F cabins... that may not be as soon as you'd think!)

Travel insurance doesn't require you to be on a flexi-fare, even with connecting tickets. However you need to read cover carefully. Most travel insurance will cover you for delays - accommodation and meals. Very few insurance companies will cover you for the cost of replacement flights in the event you miss one (for any reason). There are a couple of companies who do, but it's the exception.

(That being said, almost all insurance will cover you for replacement flights if you are attending a 'special event' - for example a wedding, or funeral, or if you are a keynote speaker at a conference (etc). But this doesn't include getting to vegas for a fun weekend!)

 

[trixydoza]

You'll be looked after by AA because of their very generous policy with regards to connecting flights between oneworld airlines.

Just to second this: I recently had major weather problems at ORD that meant I missed a connection on AA to SFO and then on JL to HND, all in F.

Debbie in the Flagship lounge was just amazingly helpful at a time of immense stress and put me on AA to LAX that night (when I think many many people would have been stranded in the airport) and then on CX to HKG and then HND. It was an extremely acceptable alternative

 

[knasty]

Was CX in F or J?

 

[trixydoza]

Was CX in F or J?

F. They were also kind enough to offer me the option of a direct flight to NRT on AA, which I respectfully declined.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

F. They were also kind enough to offer me the option of a direct flight to NRT on AA, which I respectfully declined.

AA has a pretty good F product! (Wines and champagne aside, I'd say they were pretty close to CX.)

 

[smit0847]

Generally with travel insurance, things that are your fault are not covered, things that are your fault are not covered.