How COVID-19 Will Affect Air Travel This Thanksgiving
Like much of 2020, Thanksgiving travel will be heavily affected by COVID-19. As noted from a press release by AAA, more than 55 million travelers took a trip of 50 miles or more away from home for Thanksgiving in 2019. Last year was the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000, trailing only the record set in 2005. Unfortunately, this year we will not see the same amount of travelers due to COVID-19. It is expected that we will see a significant decline in airline travel.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that they saw a record-breaking number of travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2019, screening more than 26 million passengers and crew members during the holiday travel period, from Friday, Nov. 22 to Monday, Dec. 2. On the busiest day, Dec. 1, more than 2.8 million travelers passed through TSA security checkpoints nationwide. With 2,870,764 travelers screened, it marked the most active day ever in the 18-year history of the agency.
Even though the airline industry is bracing for a much smaller turnout this year, they are offering more flights in November than October to meet the expected need of Thanksgiving travelers. As noted in a recent Business Insider article, Delta was the first of the big three US airlines to adjust its November schedule. The airline has scheduled 93,233 domestic flights, about 5,400 more than it will fly in October, but down from 139,771 in November 2019.
So what should we expect this Thanksgiving holiday? USA Today article states prices will be lower for the most part. The steepest declines are for air travel. The average price of nonstop round-trip flight tickets is down more than 30% for both Thanksgiving weekend compared to 2019. Hotel rates are down 10% for Thanksgiving weekend.
If you are considering traveling for Thanksgiving this year, please make sure to be prepared for a very different experience than last year. Be prepared for enhanced health screenings at the airport and hotels. Make sure to pre-plan your arrangements for holiday activities and events as they may be affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Trawick International wants everyone to have the best possible Thanksgiving experience they can have. That is why we highly recommend travelers purchase a travel cancellation insurance policy that covers COVID-19 related losses. For more information about how Trawick International travel insurance covers COVID-19, check out our COVID-19 FAQ Page.
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Administrator at 29 Oct 2020
Diwali Is Approaching. Are You Protected To Celebrate?
Diwali will be celebrated on November 14th and last for five days this year. Diwali is a beautiful time for Hindu families to come together and celebrate by having elaborate feasts, lighting diyas, and just being together. This year, unfortunately, many who celebrate Diwali will not have the opportunity to travel to India because of COVID-19 travel restrictions and celebrate with family.
Luckily, there are no restrictions for visitors from India to visit the United States. Over the past 30 years, the popularity of Diwali has increased in the United States. This is no surprise that Diwali observance is on the rise because there are over 2.23 million Hindus in the United States now, according to the Pew Research Center. Hinduism and Buddhism are the fourth-largest faith groups in the country behind Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Travelers will need to take additional precautions to protect themselves and their families when traveling to the United States to celebrate Diwali this year. We at Trawick International highly recommend that if you are visiting the United States from India or another country that celebrates Diwali, you should purchase a travel medical insurance policy. Unlike many countries, the United States does not provide healthcare insurance for travelers abroad.
What is travel medical insurance, you ask? Travel medical insurance is a type of insurance designed to cover emergency health care costs incurred while traveling or vacationing abroad. For example, you slip and hit your head and are rushed to the hospital. You will be responsible for covering all the costs associated with your visit to the hospital out of pocket. Now, if you were to purchase travel medical insurance, the price of a local ambulance to transport you to the hospital, your emergency room co-payment, the bill for your hospital room and board, and all other eligible medical expenses would be covered under your travel medical insurance policy.
Trawick International offers several plans for non-US Citizens/Residents to purchase. Our Safe Travel USA, Safe Travel USA Coast Saver, and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive medical plans provide coverage for COVID-19 related expenses and treat it the same as any other sickness. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Trawick International has insured COVID-19 and will continue to do so to make sure that families from across the world can be together to celebrate life’s special moments.
Visit Trawick International for more information about our Inbound to the USA Travel Medical Insurance or obtain your Travel Medical Insurance Quote.
By
Administrator at 23 Oct 2020
How COVID-19 Will Impact Holiday Travel
Just like most of 2020, the holiday travel season will be disrupted by COVID-19. In years past, holiday travel is one of the busiest times of the year, with millions of people traveling via planes, trains, buses, and cars to see their loved ones. This year many people are unsure if they will travel for the holiday season because of COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that travel increases your chance of getting and spreading the COVID-19 virus. So if you are looking to travel this holiday season, you need to take enhanced precautions before traveling. A recent Washington Post article provides some useful tips to take before traveling this holiday season. Below are some of the best travel tips from the article:
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If you’re traveling with children, be aware of the latest CDC guidelines and travel company policies. The CDC recommends masks for children two years of age and older. The mask policies of major airlines follow this guidance, and recent incidents of children and their parents being removed from planes have illustrated how strictly they are being enforced.
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If you’re getting behind the wheel for your trip, pack with the pandemic in mind. Stock your vehicle with face masks, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Don’t rely on picking up supplies during the trip since there is no guarantee they will be in stock wherever you’re headed or passing through.
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Airbnb responded to the pandemic by launching an Enhanced Cleaning Initiative for hosts, including new cleaning and sanitizing protocols. To earn an “Enhanced Clean” certification, hosts must follow a detailed five-step cleaning process, including providing guests with cleaning supplies. Look for the “Enhanced Clean” highlight on listings when deciding on a rental. There are individual sanitation steps you can take as well. Nasia Safdar, the medical director of infection control at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, recommends wiping down surfaces with disinfecting wipes. Consider cleaning the other items you have brought with you into the rental, too, such as phones, computers, and luggage.
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If you’re flying with luggage during the pandemic, health experts recommend carrying on instead of checking a bag. Not only are you able to better control who touches the bag, but you will bypass potentially crowded luggage carousels.
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Coronavirus tests are at the top of pre-trip checklists these days, and they’re an advisable step toward traveling as safely as possible during the holidays. Two kinds of tests exist to look for active infections. There are various places offering coronavirus testing, including urgent care centers, travel clinics, fire stations, pop-up sites, pharmacies, and most hospitals.
We at Trawick International want everyone to have the best possible holiday experience they can have, because frankly, after this year, we all deserve it. That is why we highly recommend travelers purchase a travel cancellation insurance policy that covers COVID-19 related losses. Please note that not all travel cancellation insurance policies cover COVID-19. Please make sure the policy you purchase does. Check out our COVID-19 FAQ Page for more information about how Trawick International travel insurance covers COVID-19.
By
Administrator at 19 Oct 2020
Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Benefit Provides Enhanced Protection Against COVID-19
With the ongoing pandemic, many travelers are choosing to protect their vacation investments by purchasing travel insurance. According to a AAA Travel survey, nearly 4 in 10 Americans are likely to buy travel insurance for future trips. For those travelers, trip cancellation protection is the most valuable benefit, with 9 in 10 of those likely to buy the coverage.
Trip cancellation insurance protects the covered expenses in case of many unforeseen circumstances. For a fraction of the trip cost, you can mitigate the risk of losing your investment if something unexpected occurs. Many travelers have not purchased this coverage in the past but with COVID-19 causing massive disruption to our lives. Many travelers are looking for trip cancellation protection that covers COVID-19 related losses. So please make sure to review the policy before you purchase it and make sure it covers COVID-19 because not all trip cancellation plans offered by travel insurance providers cover COVID-19.
An added benefit of trip cancellation insurance is the Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option. With this option, travelers can cancel their trip and be reimbursed for a percentage of the loss based on the terms of the specific plan. The availability of CFAR benefits may be impacted by when it was purchased, the trip cost, and when the trip was canceled. One thing to note is this policy can only be used if the traveler or travelers do not go on their vacation. The CFAR benefit is one of the hardest coverage options to obtain today. Many travel insurance providers are not offering this benefit with their trip cancellation insurance because of COVID-19 and the uncertainty that it’s causing.
Trawick International is one of the few providers offering CFAR. We offer it on our Safe Travels First Class and Safe Travels Voyager Trip Protection Plans. Our CFAR coverage provides partial reimbursement of up to 75% of the insured prepaid, non-refundable trip costs when you cancel your trip for a reason not listed on the policy. Please note that CFAR is a time-sensitive option and must be purchased within the time frame listed on the plan. Our CFAR option requires you to insure your entire trip cost. To use our CFAR option, you must cancel your trip in its entirety, at least two days before your scheduled departure date.
To find out more about Trawick International’s CFAR options and how we cover COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 FAQ page.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner, call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 9 Oct 2020
Six Tips for Staying in a Rental Property While Traveling
Since the Covid-19 low on April 6, 2020, the United States has seen a 322% increase in domestic travel, as reported by an AirDNA industry travel survey. The survey also indicated that vacation rental occupancy had increased by 60%. Travelers are seeking an experience that mimics the feel of being a local, or they feel safer staying in someone’s home rather than a hotel.
While staying in a rental property can make for a unique experience, there are personal safety issues to keep in mind while renting a home. Below are some critical tips to consider before renting a property for your vacation:
#1 - Location, Location, Location
For starters, make sure you research the location of the vacation rental. There are plenty of stories of people renting a vacation home and they are dissatisfied with the area of the house. Make sure to read rental reviews and identify travel amenities and experiences you and your family would like to experience. If you’re still unsure how to proceed afterward, consider the help of a travel agent. He or she might refer you to a managed property, such as a residential complex, where someone will be onsite to assist your family should something go wrong.
#2 - Read the Fine Print
Thoroughly read the contract so that you know precisely what is included and excluded. For example, the contract may stipulate that you will lose any deposit you’ve put down if you don’t clean up after yourself. Before signing anything, make sure that the host is legally able to rent out the home. Ask for documentation; if the person is reputable, they will have nothing to hide and be glad to prove.
#3 - Pay Online
Payments and communications should be done via the rental company website instead of directly with the property owner. This will ensure security and significantly reduce the odds of fraud or your identity and credit card information being stolen.
#4 - Volume Speaks Words
Look at is the number of ratings a host has, as well as how high the host’s rating is. Many hosts come and go very fast, just trying to make a quick buck, so make sure you stay with a reputable host who other people have trusted and left reviews on.
#5 - Only Bring What You Need
The home you’ll be renting will likely have security measures in place like an alarm and the standard door locks. Use common sense and proper judgment. Keep your valuables at home and be aware of your surroundings.
#6 - Prepare for the Unexpected
For an extra layer of protection, make sure to purchase a travel insurance policy to mitigate any unforeseen circumstances while staying at your vacation rental. Please note, not every travel insurance provider allows you to insure the rental property - so before purchasing a travel insurance policy, please be sure to confirm your non-refundable travel expenses will be covered. To insure your next vacation rental, visit Trawick International for your free travel insurance quote.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner, call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 7 Oct 2020
