17 Tips for Rebooking All Your Canceled Travel Later This Year (or Next Year)

According to the U.S. Travel Association, the impact of coronavirus could lead to an $809 billion assault on the U.S. economy and the loss of 4.6 million travel-related jobs nationwide. Yet, Americans are also reeling from their own canceled travel plans, some of which may have resulted in a travel "voucher" good for travel at a yet to be determined future date. These tips can help you use your travel vouchers and rebook future travel in the safest way possible.

With so much uncertainty in the travel industry right now, it makes sense to book airfare that comes with a flexible cancellation and rebooking policy. Southwest Airlines has long been popular for their "no change fees" policy, but many other airlines including American and Delta have rolled out flexible cancellation policies through new flights booked by a specific date (currently May 31, 2020). By booking flights that can easily be canceled without a change fee, you can protect yourself against losses if you wind up being stuck at home.

Most major hotel brands like Hilton and Marriott have also announced flexible cancellation policies that let you book now with some peace of mind. With Marriott's policy, for example, you can cancel any reservation up to 24 hours before arrival through June 30, 2020, without a penalty. These policies let you make speculative bookings without a financial commitment, and you can always cancel if your plans fall apart.

As you book hotels, rental cars and other travel, make sure you avoid paying for a nonrefundable reservation. Reservations pegged as nonrefundable are usually offered at a lower price, but make sure you don't sacrifice flexibility for a small percentage of savings. While some travel vendors may provide a credit or refund if you are unable to travel due to the pandemic, nonrefundable reservations will leave you in a position where you are less likely to get your money back.

It seems likely that local travel will be more attainable this year, so consider some new destinations you can drive to, or even include in an epic road trip. By choosing a destination you can drive to, you won't have to worry about being stuck with an airline voucher if your travel plans go awry, and you can easily book an easy-to-cancel lodging option that you can drop if the timing isn't right.

If you are leery about staying in a big hotel with a lot of crowds, you can explore the possibilities when it comes to outdoor travel or even camping. Consider booking a cabin in a campground you expect to be open or book a stay near a state or national park. You can even rent an RV with a website like RVShare.com, allowing you to drive your own hotel room around with you wherever you go.

If you do wind up with a travel voucher for canceled travel, make sure you know the exact expiration date so you can use it in time. Many travel vendors, including airlines, have extended the length of time vouchers can be used, but you should still take note of the date and keep it in mind so you don't forget and let your funds go to waste.

If you have a number of canceled travel and more than a few refunds on the way, it can also help to keep a spreadsheet with details on all the refunds you are owed. You need to keep a record of how much you expect to get back, when you applied for a refund, the form of payment you used and any other details you have.

Make sure you know your rights when it comes to canceled travel, specifically for canceled flights. U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines states that consumers are required to receive a refund when their flight is canceled, but many airlines have tried to ignore this rule and issue travel vouchers instead.

If you want to have some extra protection for future travel you pay for, make sure you pay with a credit card that offers travel protection like a trip interruption or cancellation insurance. While this type of credit card coverage does not typically cover disinclination to travel during a pandemic, you can get reimbursed if your travel vendor goes out of business or is unable to execute the terms of your reservation.

It helps to have a helping hand when you book travel plans that may need to be canceled in the future. Travel agents can help you gain peace of mind, answer your questions and get the best pricing available for vacation packages, cruises and more. Best of all, using a travel agent to help plan your trip is almost always free.

Some of the largest direct rental companies have made it difficult for travelers to get their money back for canceled travel in some cases, so make sure you understand the policies of any third party you use to rent a home. Some companies, including Villas of Distinction, offer a Peace of Mind policy with relaxed payment terms and flexible cancellation terms on new bookings with select rentals.

With everything up in the air right now, your best bet is being as flexible as you can. Start planning travel now, but keep your mind open in terms of destinations and dates. Also, consider alternative types of travel you may have never tried before. The more options you are willing to consider, the more likely you will be able to rebook a trip you'll love later on.

With huge swaths of the country on perpetual lockdown for the first part of the year, some offices might see everyone trying to take their vacation time at once. To make sure your time is set aside, consider asking off for vacation later in the year right now. With your vacation time secured, you can focus on where to travel once you're ready.

For the ultimate peace of mind, consider buying travel insurance for any trip you book. While travel insurance doesn't typically cover pandemics, you can buy a "cancel for any reason" policy that will let you cancel your trip and receive a partial refund if you decide to cancel on a whim.

Prices for travel are low right now in some cases, and they're expected to be affordable for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, it could be smart to keep an eye out for cheap travel deals you can book for later this year. While any reservations you book may be speculative, you should be in good shape to score a cheap flight or vacation package, provided the travel vendor has a flexible cancellation policy.

If you're worried about travel restrictions thwarting your plans, you can keep an eye on ongoing changes thanks to the world wide web. Check the websites of countries you plan to travel to, or the county websites for destinations within the U.S. before you book. That way, you'll know what kind of rules you're up against and if certain destinations are still off-limits.

No matter what you do, try to be as patient as you can. If you are uneasy about booking travel right now, spend some time researching new destinations or coming up with a list of sights you'd love to see. Wait until you're truly ready to get your trip on the books, and you'll have a much better experience overall.