Unfortunately sometimes well researched vacation plans that resulted in the purchase of cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages get derailed by the unexpected death of a family member. At such times travelers may be far away from home and emotionally distraught as well as financially stressed at the prospect of losing their prepaid travel expenses.
Although family deaths are often unexpected, it is recommended that travelers ask their hotels, cruise lines, airline or tour operator when making a reservation what the refund policy is for deaths of immediately family relatives and partners. Fine print should be reviewed to understand who is classified as a family member and how domestic partners or step-relatives are viewed.
Even though most airline tickets sold are nonrefundable, most airlines will waive change fees and offer nonrefundable transportation vouchers for future travel upon presentation of a death certificate, proof of relationship to the deceased and funeral home or hospital telephone numbers.
Many hotels and resorts will not offer immediate refunds for deaths of family members. Travelers need to be prepared to ask to speak to management and sometimes even go to corporate management before getting any type of satisfaction. Most hotel reservations can be cancelled, often with only the deposit being forfeited, with 24 to 48 hours advance notice to the hotel.
If this is not possible, travelers should ask that the dates of their reservation be changed.
Only by notifying travel suppliers as soon as possible after you receive bad news and by being persistent in requesting refunds will you stand a reasonable chance of not losing your entire vacation investment because of changes forced by a death of a family member. www.cheapfares.com