Complicated travel insurance situation - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

isisdave · November 5, 2006, 04:23 PM

Let me start by reporting that I've read the sticky above, and everything else I can search out on TUG and several other forums. I am hoping someone can report on some actual experiences.

We're going to Europe. One week is a bonus week from SFX, so it's not actually an exchange ... we paid a fee for it, so I'm guessing ordinary travel insurace (I usually use Travelex) would cover it. Would you agree?

If it were an exchange week, though, and cancellation of the trip would have rendered the exchanged week worthless, I think that VacationGuard or Marriott's new program through Travelguard would cover it. But would ordinary travel insurance?

The air trip was funded by 180,000 credit card miles, which provided $2475 credit toward the total price of the trip (for three of us). The tickets are non refundable and not changeable. Will travel insurance cover these? We certainly gave up something of value to get them, but it wasn't actual money. This is where I'd really like to hear from someone who made a claim, and what the outcome was.

Thank you all.

Dave M · November 5, 2006, 09:19 PM

I can respond to the credit card miles issue because I have looked into it. The reimbursement will likely be for what the ticket cost you in $$. Most travel polices reimburse based on $$ paid. Although your credits had a value to you, the insurance companies' position is that those credits had no actual cost to you.

I looked at the fine print for a number of policies and talked to several people at various insurance companies. I couldn't find any way to make it work.

There have also been several threads on this issue at FlyerTalk and the consensus is that you would lose the value of those credits if you submitted an insurance claim.

Lglen119 · November 22, 2006, 12:34 PM

You both are right as i had the same thing when i went to UT last yr on an exchange. We used our time, so i had the exposure for lost M&T bills if i didn't go, but used miles to get there. I bought through Vacationguard, as they have an annual plan that covers t/share better than anything i've ever seen, for less. vacationguard.com They covered me for my M&T bills for cancelled and interruptions, exchange fees, medical, etc, but there's no dollar value to my miles, so there's nothing to refund. vacationguard did cover the $100 fee by airlines to change the confirmation if i cancelled.

I called Alaska airlines on their coverage as i'm looking at flying them this year for our exchange - they only offer their travel insurance on land/air vacation packages - at $34 pp, they confirmed they do in fact reinstate the miles used, subject to some minor fees (like $100). But, you have to be on a land/sea package and it voids if you don't stay at the hotel - so, this doesn't work if i'm using my timeshare.

So,the good news is i covered the stuff i can thru the Vacationguard plan like the M&T, medical evacuation and trip cancellation exposure for my timeshare, but the actual redemption of miles is seemingly still hard to do with timeshare.

DKPerky · November 22, 2006, 03:17 PM

Dave ... the answer regarding the air miles is correct .. yet there is some wiggle room. I was a claims supervisor for a major travel insurance company in 99-00. The name of this company I will not divulge ... but is has a three letter name. Honestly, if one complains enough ... writes letters, makes calls to the claims manager and writes complaints to the BBB ... these companies fold. Also, if the insurance company does business in California ... file a department of insurance complaint too. When I was there a number of these claims got paid to the "loud" people. Just FYI. If you have other questions regarding travel insurance I'll try to help.

November 5, 2006, 04:23 PM	#1
isisdave TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Murrieta CA Posts: 461 Resorts: Marriott Newport Coast, Marriott Waiohai	Complicated travel insurance situation Let me start by reporting that I've read the sticky above, and everything else I can search out on TUG and several other forums. I am hoping someone can report on some actual experiences. We're going to Europe. One week is a bonus week from SFX, so it's not actually an exchange ... we paid a fee for it, so I'm guessing ordinary travel insurace (I usually use Travelex) would cover it. Would you agree? If it were an exchange week, though, and cancellation of the trip would have rendered the exchanged week worthless, I think that VacationGuard or Marriott's new program through Travelguard would cover it. But would ordinary travel insurance? The air trip was funded by 180,000 credit card miles, which provided $2475 credit toward the total price of the trip (for three of us). The tickets are non refundable and not changeable. Will travel insurance cover these? We certainly gave up something of value to get them, but it wasn't actual money. This is where I'd really like to hear from someone who made a claim, and what the outcome was. Thank you all.

November 22, 2006, 12:34 PM	#3
Lglen119 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jan 4, 06 Posts: 33 Resorts: Whister; Hawaii	how miles are covered if on t/share You both are right as i had the same thing when i went to UT last yr on an exchange. We used our time, so i had the exposure for lost M&T bills if i didn't go, but used miles to get there. I bought through Vacationguard, as they have an annual plan that covers t/share better than anything i've ever seen, for less. vacationguard.com They covered me for my M&T bills for cancelled and interruptions, exchange fees, medical, etc, but there's no dollar value to my miles, so there's nothing to refund. vacationguard did cover the $100 fee by airlines to change the confirmation if i cancelled. I called Alaska airlines on their coverage as i'm looking at flying them this year for our exchange - they only offer their travel insurance on land/air vacation packages - at $34 pp, they confirmed they do in fact reinstate the miles used, subject to some minor fees (like $100). But, you have to be on a land/sea package and it voids if you don't stay at the hotel - so, this doesn't work if i'm using my timeshare. So,the good news is i covered the stuff i can thru the Vacationguard plan like the M&T, medical evacuation and trip cancellation exposure for my timeshare, but the actual redemption of miles is seemingly still hard to do with timeshare.

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November 5, 2006, 09:19 PM	#2
Dave M Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 16, 04 Location: Sun City Hilton Head, SC Posts: 11,351	I can respond to the credit card miles issue because I have looked into it. The reimbursement will likely be for what the ticket cost you in $$. Most travel polices reimburse based on $$ paid. Although your credits had a value to you, the insurance companies' position is that those credits had no actual cost to you. I looked at the fine print for a number of policies and talked to several people at various insurance companies. I couldn't find any way to make it work. There have also been several threads on this issue at FlyerTalk and the consensus is that you would lose the value of those credits if you submitted an insurance claim.

November 22, 2006, 03:17 PM	#4
DKPerky TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Oct 9, 06 Location: San Diego Posts: 60 Resorts: Marriott Kauai Beach Club	Dave ... the answer regarding the air miles is correct .. yet there is some wiggle room. I was a claims supervisor for a major travel insurance company in 99-00. The name of this company I will not divulge ... but is has a three letter name. Honestly, if one complains enough ... writes letters, makes calls to the claims manager and writes complaints to the BBB ... these companies fold. Also, if the insurance company does business in California ... file a department of insurance complaint too. When I was there a number of these claims got paid to the "loud" people. Just FYI. If you have other questions regarding travel insurance I'll try to help.