The biggest travel worries this summer and how to handle them like a pro
She's booked on a Danube riverboat cruise, and she's concerned that the water won't be high enough for the ship. That could turn her cruise into a bus tour – or even cancel it. Months of careful planning would go down the drain.
"That's my biggest worry," said Howell, a nurse from Spokane, Washington.
This summer, travelers are afraid of a lot of things. A recent survey by Aon Affinity Travel Practice suggests travelers are concerned about getting sick and not being able to travel (28%), having a cancellation or delay because of bad weather or a natural disaster (26%) and concerns about the impact of global conflicts (19%). Half of the respondents have purchased travel insurance to protect their trip.
"The excitement of summer travel comes with a heightened awareness of potential risks," explained Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. "For many, it's not just about making memories but also helping ensure their financial investment, health and belongings are protected while they're on vacation.'
So, what are you afraid of this summer? What should you be afraid of? And how do you allay those fears?
Travelers have a lot to fear this summer
These fears are not irrational. A recent study commissioned by AXA Partners found that 7 in 10 Americans experienced travel mishaps in the past year.
"It can shake a traveler's confidence," said Susan Sherren, who runs the travel design company Couture Trips. "When my clients leave home, they embark on a risky journey, and many unpredictable scenarios can lead to anticipatory anxiety. Safety concerns, loss of control, and travel complexities may make someone think twice about leaving home."
Howell, the nurse from Spokane, had heard about the low river levels and researched the problem. Usually, the Danube's levels are fine in late spring, with the runoff from melting snow, but they can sometimes drop quickly during the summer.
Her solution was to self-book her hotels through her credit card, which offers cancellation insurance. To address any potential illnesses or injuries, she also ensured her medical insurance covered her for international travel and subsequently purchased a medical evacuation policy through Medjet.
"Being stuck alone in a foreign hospital wouldn't be great," she added.
Put it all together, and Howell said she feels reasonably confident that her river cruise will go off without a hitch.
What to be afraid of this summer and what to do about it
How about you? What are you afraid of, and what should you be afraid of? Let's do a lightning round of travel phobias.
Are you afraid of the wrong thing this summer?
My greatest travel fear this summer is ending up in a crowd with no way out. I'm headed back to Europe on assignment and may be in places that are overrun with tourists. I've been hearing about the crowding problem, and I'm not sure there's anything more I can do than worry.
But experts say there is.
"What should really worry people is lack of preparation," said James Shaffer, managing director with the website Insurancepanda.com. "Choosing nonrefundable tickets. Ignoring insurance. Or booking through a third-party site without researching their policies. These choices can trap you."
In other words, instead of worrying about your summer trip, do something about it before you leave. Find a flexible ticket. Get a travel insurance policy. Book through a reliable agent, or do your research and then book the trip yourself.
"I expect the unexpected," Shaffer told me. "I only buy refundable airfare. Of course, it costs a little more – but it does give you peace of mind."
Ah, peace of mind. Couldn't we use a little more of that this summer?
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.
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