Trip to Mexico- Fully Vaccinated- trip cancellation ins?

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Aug 30th, 2021 3:43 pm

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Jul 9th, 2021 1:54 pm

ollywood [OP]: Member; Feb 10, 2021; 394 posts; 336 upvotes; GTA

Jul 9th, 2021 1:54 pm

Trip to Mexico- Fully Vaccinated- trip cancellation ins?

As the title summarizes, my Wife and I are both fully vaccinated and are looking to book a trip to Mexico at the beginning of August. We were just about to pull the trigger on the site we were booking when I noticed huge verbiage trying to get us to purchase trip cancellation insurance. Usually, I skip over this since we both have visas that cover this for us.. but it got me thinking- why do they have the verbiage THAT big?

As the paranoia set in, I proceeded to call my bank and inquire re: any policy changes. Turns out, our trip cancellation on the Visa does not cover trip cancellation as a result of government enforced restrictions. Meaning, if we book now to leave August 9th, and the Ontario gov't decides to shut the border down, we're SOL and out thousands of $'s. The card will not cover this.

I guess my questions is, do you know any way around this without paying $300+ per person for trip cancellation? Chances of this happening may be slim but we also said that about our last trip booked just before COVID lol.

51 replies

Jul 9th, 2021 3:44 pm

WRIGHT828: Member; May 8, 2016; 362 posts; 286 upvotes; Ontario

Jul 9th, 2021 3:44 pm

I booked a trip to Mexico leaving July 30 through Air Canada Vacations. I paid the $58/pp for the Carefree plan so that should something change with the border we can reschedule to another date.
I think that's kind of the best to hope for right now is the options to reschedule rather than a full-on cancelation and refund.

But, someone else may have more insight. I can only speak to what I'm comfortable with during this time.

Jul 9th, 2021 4:13 pm

kr0zet: Deal Fanatic; Jan 16, 2011; 7205 posts; 9218 upvotes; The NORTH

Jul 9th, 2021 4:13 pm

They have giant verbiage to scare people into buying a product they don't need. Travel was almost non existent last year and they have to make up revenue some how to pay the exec's their obscene bonuses. If you already have travel insurance thru your credit card then it isn't specifically necessary unless there is a peril not covered by your credit card insurance. For example, if you rent a car your credit card usually covers the loss of the vehicle up to $65,000 but if your rental is more than that you are on the hook for the difference.

Review your credit card insurance and if you are covered then don't pay for needless insurance.

Jul 9th, 2021 6:04 pm

CheapDude69: Jr. Member; Sep 19, 2019; 190 posts; 330 upvotes; vancouver

Jul 9th, 2021 6:04 pm

My parents also just booked Mexico for November with air Canada and the coverage was way cheaper than your quoted 300pp. Just asked and it was 59$

Jul 9th, 2021 6:16 pm

smacd: Deal Guru; Oct 6, 2007; 10416 posts; 8804 upvotes; Kootenays

Jul 9th, 2021 6:16 pm

kr0zet wrote: ↑ They have giant verbiage to scare people into buying a product they don't need. Travel was almost non existent last year and they have to make up revenue some how to pay the exec's their obscene bonuses. If you already have travel insurance thru your credit card then it isn't specifically necessary unless there is a peril not covered by your credit card insurance. For example, if you rent a car your credit card usually covers the loss of the vehicle up to $65,000 but if your rental is more than that you are on the hook for the difference.

Review your credit card insurance and if you are covered then don't pay for needless insurance.

Call your credit card company and make sure that's correct. My MBNA Mastercard voids all collision coverage if the MSRP of the rental is more than $65,000, as do most. This was brought up a couple of years ago in the auto forum with regards to an Armada. My BCAA coverage provides the first $60,000 in the event of a loss greater than $60,000.

Also, OP stated his card coverage did not cover gov't restrictions on travel, thus the question.

+1

Jul 9th, 2021 6:21 pm

GangStarr: Deal Guru; Sep 6, 2002; 10803 posts; 4187 upvotes

Jul 9th, 2021 6:21 pm

The Ontario border isn’t responsible for the border. That’s the federal government. The border by air has never been closed and with restrictions loosing I wouldn’t worry about it. If you’re a Canadian citizen you’ll always be able to leave Canada. And enter Canada assuming you can make it to a border

I wouldn’t trust any insurance product. They all screwed everyone who plans were impacted by COVID under that unprecedented circumstance bull crap. They should all be boycotted.

Medical insurance is what I’d worry most about

Autocorrect sucks

Jul 9th, 2021 6:23 pm

Blanche123: Deal Addict; Jan 28, 2014; 3829 posts; 943 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 9th, 2021 6:23 pm

I wouldn't leave home without travel and medical insurance - ever.

+2

Jul 9th, 2021 7:27 pm

ollywood [OP]: Member; Feb 10, 2021; 394 posts; 336 upvotes; GTA

Jul 9th, 2021 7:27 pm

WRIGHT828 wrote: ↑I booked a trip to Mexico leaving July 30 through Air Canada Vacations. I paid the $58/pp for the Carefree plan so that should something change with the border we can reschedule to another date.
I think that's kind of the best to hope for right now is the options to reschedule rather than a full-on cancelation and refund.

But, someone else may have more insight. I can only speak to what I'm comfortable with during this time.

kr0zet wrote: ↑ They have giant verbiage to scare people into buying a product they don't need. Travel was almost non existent last year and they have to make up revenue some how to pay the exec's their obscene bonuses. If you already have travel insurance thru your credit card then it isn't specifically necessary unless there is a peril not covered by your credit card insurance. For example, if you rent a car your credit card usually covers the loss of the vehicle up to $65,000 but if your rental is more than that you are on the hook for the difference.

Review your credit card insurance and if you are covered then don't pay for needless insurance.

You’re both right! Thank you for the response. Thankfully, the package we were looking at on a third party site is actually from Air Canada Vacations.

Wife and I called and they offer the same plan aforementioned that meets our needs (ability to cancel up to 3 days prior to trip and ability to move the date if required). That peace of mind for 59$/person is worth it to me.

Thanks again all!

+3

Jul 9th, 2021 7:49 pm

GangStarr: Deal Guru; Sep 6, 2002; 10803 posts; 4187 upvotes

Jul 9th, 2021 7:49 pm

ollywood wrote: ↑ You’re both right! Thank you for the response. Thankfully, the package we were looking at on a third party site is actually from Air Canada Vacations.

Wife and I called and they offer the same plan aforementioned that meets our needs (ability to cancel up to 3 days prior to trip and ability to move the date if required). That peace of mind for 59$/person is worth it to me.

Thanks again all!

Read the terms carefully before you buy anything see who’s is under writing it. You sure it’s air Canada vacation underwriting it? I guess cancelation is different than medical as medical is by RBC

Just remember these cancellation policies were not honoured during covid not sure about ac vacations

I’m not suggesting travel without medical insurance. However trip cancellation and interruption has a lot of big promises but these guys love to weasel out

Make sure understand what documentation you need to make a claim, what’s is covered and what is excluded.

Understand how rebooking works if the fare is substantially higher

Don’t trust any phone agent or travel agent. READ

I this might be your package but confirm with air Canada vacations.

https://vacations.aircanada.com/en/terms-conditions

Autocorrect sucks

Jul 9th, 2021 11:12 pm

CheapDude69: Jr. Member; Sep 19, 2019; 190 posts; 330 upvotes; vancouver

Jul 9th, 2021 11:12 pm

I’m going to be the optimist and look to the states and how things will progress. Now that vaccines are available there will be no more restrictions or shutdowns. There will be some risk as with any disease and we will live with it. Heck even Singapore of all places is saying that. Our BC dr Bonnie health lady is saying the same thing. Covid is with us forever and we will move on with life. Enjoy your vacation and you will be thankful you booked now before prices really hit the moon.

+1

Jul 10th, 2021 11:01 am

NKode: Sr. Member; Apr 2, 2011; 612 posts; 306 upvotes

Jul 10th, 2021 11:01 am

I am eyeing a Mexico trip as well. The thing that's stopping me from pulling the trigger is covid testing 72h prior to return to Canada.

+1

Jul 10th, 2021 11:42 am

MexiCanuck: Deal Guru; May 9, 2007; 13754 posts; 4121 upvotes; Vancouver Island, BC

Jul 10th, 2021 11:42 am

NKode wrote: ↑ I am eyeing a Mexico trip as well. The thing that's stopping me from pulling the trigger is covid testing 72h prior to return to Canada.

Efficient covid testing is readily available in many places that have international airports. Here is an example for the relatively small destination of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa.

Here is a list of laboratories currently offering the testing required by U.S. and Canadian airlines.

Laboratorio Clínico Integral
https://www.facebook.com/laboratorioint ... ve.com.mx/

Laboratorio Núcleo Diagnóstico del Pacífico
https://www.facebook.com/Nucleo-De-Diag ... 6654895782

Laboratorio Sagrado Corazón
https://www.facebook.com/lab.sagradocorazon18/

Zihua Lab
https://www.facebook.com/zihua.lab

Clínica Mediciel
https://www.facebook.com/clinicamediciel/

At the Aeropuerto Internacional Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa
Covid Module Test

Check out this additional information.

Antigen testing is also available at the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo airport for passengers flying to Canada and the USA. Anyone can go to the airport to be tested. It is not limited to passengers. It takes about twenty to twenty five minutes for them to email the results to you. So make sure you have some sort of well charged email receiving device along with you. You can only pay by MC or Visa, credit or debit card. NO CASH!!! The price is 579 MXP for airline passengers. The general public can get a test there also for 699 MXP. *

At least one service will come to your accommodation to take the sample for your test.

http://www.zihuatanejo.net/tablero/messages/148992.html

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+1

Jul 10th, 2021 5:48 pm

ollywood [OP]: Member; Feb 10, 2021; 394 posts; 336 upvotes; GTA

Jul 10th, 2021 5:48 pm

NKode wrote: ↑ I am eyeing a Mexico trip as well. The thing that's stopping me from pulling the trigger is covid testing 72h prior to return to Canada.

Pretty much every resort in Mexico offers covid testing on-site at the hotel. Don’t let that stop you!

+2

Jul 11th, 2021 6:27 am

Haps13: Sr. Member; Aug 16, 2010; 573 posts; 473 upvotes; Sudbury

Jul 11th, 2021 6:27 am

ollywood wrote: ↑ Pretty much every resort in Mexico offers covid testing on-site at the hotel. Don’t let that stop you!

Although be aware. Most resorts offer free antigen tests. However PCR tests(that are required for entry back into Canada) will cost you 100-250USD.

The place I'm going today charges 108USD.

Jul 11th, 2021 9:26 am

ollywood [OP]: Member; Feb 10, 2021; 394 posts; 336 upvotes; GTA

Jul 11th, 2021 9:26 am

Haps13 wrote: ↑ Although be aware. Most resorts offer free antigen tests. However PCR tests(that are required for entry back into Canada) will cost you 100-250USD.

The place I'm going today charges 108USD.

Spot on- sorry I should have clarified that these tests are not free. Neither are the ones in Canada for pre departure.

This is the best link I found for covid test prices by hotels in Mexico:

https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/d ... mation.pdf

Jul 11th, 2021 10:23 am

WRIGHT828: Member; May 8, 2016; 362 posts; 286 upvotes; Ontario

Jul 11th, 2021 10:23 am

Haps13 wrote: ↑ Although be aware. Most resorts offer free antigen tests. However PCR tests(that are required for entry back into Canada) will cost you 100-250USD.

The place I'm going today charges 108USD.

The resort we've booked does on-site and it's $125USD. It's a bummer that Canada is doing this when new research has shown that the antigen tests are generally considered to be equally as reliable as the PCR tests. Canada and most Asian countries are the only ones using PCR while just about everywhere else has adopted the antigen tests as the standard for travel testing.

Jul 11th, 2021 10:26 am

WRIGHT828: Member; May 8, 2016; 362 posts; 286 upvotes; Ontario

Jul 11th, 2021 10:26 am

ollywood wrote: ↑ Spot on- sorry I should have clarified that these tests are not free. Neither are the ones in Canada for pre departure.

This is the best link I found for covid test prices by hotels in Mexico:

https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/d ... mation.pdf

Careful with this list. When I connected with hotels directly ahead of booking, I found some of this information to be out of date. It's a good baseline, but it's also a good idea to email the hotel directly and see what they're currently doing.

+1

Jul 12th, 2021 12:24 pm

ollywood [OP]: Member; Feb 10, 2021; 394 posts; 336 upvotes; GTA

Jul 12th, 2021 12:24 pm

WRIGHT828 wrote: ↑ Careful with this list. When I connected with hotels directly ahead of booking, I found some of this information to be out of date. It's a good baseline, but it's also a good idea to email the hotel directly and see what they're currently doing.

I actually found it to be incredibly accurate! The hotel I called in Jamaica and both hotels I called in Mexico had the same price. Guess it was luck!

Btw- have you found any economical service alternatives in Ontario that are not $200/test for the pre departure tests?

Jul 12th, 2021 12:41 pm

WRIGHT828: Member; May 8, 2016; 362 posts; 286 upvotes; Ontario

Jul 12th, 2021 12:41 pm

ollywood wrote: ↑ I actually found it to be incredibly accurate! The hotel I called in Jamaica and both hotels I called in Mexico had the same price. Guess it was luck!

Btw- have you found any economical service alternatives in Ontario that are not $200/test for the pre departure tests?

That's good!

I can't answer that as I haven't looked into departure testing. We're going to Mexico and testing isn't required there for arrivals.

Jul 12th, 2021 1:09 pm

ollywood [OP]: Member; Feb 10, 2021; 394 posts; 336 upvotes; GTA

Jul 12th, 2021 1:09 pm

WRIGHT828 wrote: ↑ That's good!

I can't answer that as I haven't looked into departure testing. We're going to Mexico and testing isn't required there for arrivals.

As are we... however, from my understanding the pre-departure test result is a requirement by Air Canada- not the the Mexican government and/or airport.

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