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marta
07-01-2011, 06:48 AM
Hi all, just trying to book a holiday in the states and apparently I'm uninsurable..... they wont even insure me for anything different from my pre-existing condition, so if I get hit by a bus, tough bananas.

Any of you have any tips on getting insurance in Canada for travelling abroad - any insurance companies you've had success with? I'm sure there are a lot sicker people than us who travel and get insurance. This is crazy. I'm a little p'd off right now about this. So insurance companies only take your money if they think they wont have to pay. Arrrghhh...:predrage:

pberggren1
07-01-2011, 07:01 AM
This is very odd.

When I went to Europe in 2007 I had no problem getting insurance. I think all of the insurance cost about 75 dollars then. I am sure that I told them I have Wegs and they said it would not be a problem. I got the highest level of insurace possible. I went through a travel angency and I cannot remember which insurance company it was with. If you like I go down to that travel place and see if I can find out which insurance company it was.

I would be pissed off too.

pwc51
07-01-2011, 07:23 AM
It is difficult here in the UK too - if you can get insured the premium can be up to 5 times that of a healthy (non-WG) person. Many insurance companies will not touch me. Most of the on-line companies know about WG but very often it does not matter how you answer the series of WG questions the answer in NO - seems pointless them even asking the questions!

drz
07-01-2011, 07:41 AM
I have a couple chronic illnesses that increase my risks so always get the travel insurance when I book a trip. Usually I book with the agency that books the trips just for ease though their rates are much higher generally. If you book within 30 days of reservations their are no exclusions or waiting periods. I don't know about the private ones policies on prior illness but agree that one with such exclusion would be pointless. Better to just buy an accident coverage policy then.

Suggestion: Call your credit card companies. Some of my cards offer some trip cancellation protection if you charge the trip with them. They might also have suggestions for trip insurance through their concierge department too.

I also found a list of travel insurance companies through a search on internet but don[t remember their policy exclusions.

I used to carry a medical evacuation policy too through an organization in USA that was only 75-90$ a year since a medical evacuation from any remote place like the bush in South Africa could actually cost a million dollars if you were in a critical accident and needed medical support on the flight home. I dropped it this year (went up to $109) since I don't anticipate being able to travel again to such exotic places for awhile if ever.

marta
07-01-2011, 10:05 AM
Thanks guys, who woulda thunk.... I was one of the healthier people I knew a year and a half ago, and now I'm uninsurable.

We are using a gift certificate for our travels so no go on the credit card. We called Brian's existing insurance company and we are covered for accidents and the pre-existing condition as long as I've been stable for three months prior. So just need cancellation insurance and I think we can get that with the airline.

I like the idea of the medical evacuation insurance... not that I can see myself needing anything like that with the current status, but it still seems appealing.

Thanks for the feedback. I am still curious how people who are worse off than us can travel.

pberggren1
07-01-2011, 10:48 AM
That is good to hear that you are covered under Brian's plan. Probably all you need then is a letter from your doc in Ed for the insurance.

Now as far as stabel goes, what exactly to they mean? As far as I know no one is mentally stable on any dose of pred. LOL:wink1:

Sangye
07-01-2011, 01:52 PM
We called Brian's existing insurance company and we are covered for accidents and the pre-existing condition as long as I've been stable for three months prior. .
I suggest you get that in writing, along with a definition of "stable." Insurance companies will do anything they can to avoid paying.

MCC
07-01-2011, 06:17 PM
It is very annoying as I am going to the US for 4 days soon and there is no way that I would have a relapse during that time, but I want insurance because I could be run over by a bus or something - which unrelated to wegs would be a massive cost!

I haven't yet looked at insurance policies, but this could be useful: Travel Insurance: Annual single policy £15, family £35... (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance) About half way down it mentions insuring pre existing conditions. It is for UK people travelling abroad though, but there might be some cross over info for you guys in other countries.

Psyborg
07-01-2011, 09:36 PM
What's odd to me is I've never had anyone ask me anything when buying travel insurance. Maybe it's because we get hammered on all other insurances in the US? I took insurance on my families Disney vacation in April and never even was asked. Though maybe I'd have not been covered? It was pricey insurance though, like $100 for a one week vacation.

Jack
07-01-2011, 11:06 PM
I looked into this a few years ago when I was fit enough to travel without problems and I found that the specialist insurance companies for people with pre-existing conditions were quite reasonable. Do a Google search.

None of the standard policies provided cover for anything like a reasonable price and the ones that did not ask awkward questions had it covered in the small print. A favourite clause seems to be one that requires you to declare any fact that may have a bearing on the insurance cover. This one lets them get away with anything they don't like!

My last holidays were covered by an all inclusive policy which the holiday company agent assured me would provide cover, but I have serious doubts and I never got it in writing. At least in Europe, all members are covered for basic hospital care. It is just getting home that could be a problem because the airlines don't fly obviously sick people.

MCC
07-01-2011, 11:37 PM
Isn't there a way to just have the wegs excluded from your policy? I do not need insurance for that and would be quite happy to go without - my concern is something else happening.

Hammy8241
07-02-2011, 03:18 AM
I used this one this year as it allowed me to apply online. Medical Travel Insurance at World First (http://www.world-first.co.uk/home/travel-insurance/medical-problems.aspx)

I was asked the questions below. (left my answers in - I know many of you will have different answers) I was accepted and cost £75 worldwide


Wegener's granulomatosis
--------------------------------------------------
Q. Are you awaiting treatment, specialist referral, investigations or results of tests?
A. No
Q. How frequently do you undergo medical review for this condition?
A. Once every 6 months
Q. When were you last admitted overnight to hospital for this or a related medical condition?
A. I have not been admitted overnight for this medical condition
Q. Do you smoke?
A. No, I have never smoked/gave up at least 6 months ago
Q. Either as a consequence of WG or separately, have you been diagnosed with any of the following? (select all that apply):
A. Sinusitis
Q. Can you walk up 2 flights of stairs without shortness of breath or needing to rest?
A. Yes
Q. How many courses of antibiotics have you required in the last year for this medical condition?
A. 0
--------------------------------------------------
Sinusitis
--------------------------------------------------
Q. Are you awaiting treatment (including surgery), specialist referral, investigations or results of tests for this condition?
A. No
Q. How many courses of antibiotics have you required in the last year for this medical condition?
A. 0

MCC
08-03-2011, 12:06 AM
I don't know if this is any use for anyone not in the UK, but I have just purchased travel insurance with these guys: Travel Insurance UK - Cheap Annual Holiday Insurance (http://www.insureandgo.com) It is reccommended on Money Saving Expert so a legitimate company.

The questions they ask about Wegeners are 'do you have lung/kidney involvement? Have you got breathing problems? Have you had dialysis? etc'

If you do have lung or kidney involvement it means your premium jumps considerably. It cost me 34 pounds for a week to the US with Wegeners excluded. With it included it would have been 126 pounds. If you do not have lung and kidney involvement it would cost around 50 pounds to have it included.

This seems a lot, but it is to the US which costs more anyway, and at least it's good to know we can get cover if needed.

Fran
08-03-2011, 12:51 AM
For anyone in the UK - give ' Staysure ' a try - I haven't had any problems getting covered for travelling abroad (incl USA) with Wegener's and HBP.

Fran

Sangye
08-03-2011, 02:02 AM
Just make sure you read all the fine print, as you definitely do not want to get caught in the US without complete coverage. One visit to the ER for something very simple can cost you thousands.

Natalie
08-03-2011, 10:00 AM
I am About to Try and book a flight and get Travel insurance for myself . I have been googling Insurance and coming up with will not cover Auto Immune Diseases . I have asked friends who travel alot who they go threw and checked there sites out but No ..
Im going to book threw a travel agency as its the 1st time as an adult Flying .. I'm going down today to talk about Insurance and see if they can find some for me . Getting the policy in writing is a great Idea and will be doing that for sure IF they can find a cover for me .
I seen My ENT Yesterday ANd asked about my ears And how they will go on the plane . See said my left will be fine but my right wont I will get pain in it and could end up with a perforation because my eustation tube don't function . GREAT !! Insurance is a must for Me I will probably need it before I get off The plane lol . I hope I can get some ! :unsure:

mishb
08-03-2011, 09:31 PM
Hi Natalie,
I would be interested to know how you get on.

I travelled to the US just before diagnosis, so not a problem with travel ins there
I travelled to Fiji just after diagnosis and elected for a policy not covering pre existing conditions....and thankfully no disasters. I don't have tubes in my
ears and they were actually very well behaved on the flights.

Am currently thinking of going back to US next year and only yesterday rang around to a few travel ins places (QBE, travel insurance australia ...the main two)
Very expensive and no pre existing conditions, therefore would love to know how you get on with full cover.

As always

gurinbasra
08-04-2011, 05:10 AM
Wow, I think I've been very fortunate all those years of working for an oil & gas company. I am covered through them even for personal travel for up to $2 million per person, per incident and my husband's work covers personal travel too I think at $1 million/person/incident. All I know is that I have called Manulife (insurance co.) and they have my Wegener's noted and before I go on an overseas trip, I make sure I have the OK with my dr's (because Manulife said if I have any claims, they will check with dr's), and then I let them know I've been OK'd - that's mainly so that they'll cover for any costs if I get sick due to the WG. Hopefully, it all worked out with your husband's coverage.

I'm still glad to have my job - more so now than ever. It is Manulife that's covering for my Rituxan 100% with no maximum's.

Natalie
08-04-2011, 07:15 AM
well I went and had a talk to the travel agency , she gave me a Medical Assessment form to give to my doctor to fill out , then Its up to the insurer to accept it .. they Go threw Cover.More Travel Insurance . Just reading it fine print that the Insurance is issued by Greater Lakes Insurance UK ...Trading as Greater lakes Insurance Australia ( why dont they just call it Greater lakes Australia ):rolleyes:.. I have attached the part in the policy that deals with Medical Conditions for yous to have a squiz ..

I would say most insurance mobs would have similar out lays . http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/images/misc/pencil.png

Natalie
08-04-2011, 07:22 AM
these may be easier to read ..
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/NATSPRATS/FAMILIAR%20%20%20%20%20FACES/TravelInsurance.jpg
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/NATSPRATS/FAMILIAR%20%20%20%20%20FACES/TravelInsurance001m.jpg

MCC
08-05-2011, 11:49 PM
How did you get on booking your insurance? I noticed the company I booked with are also in Australia: Cheap Travel Insurance Australia ? Annual Travel Insurance (http://www.insureandgo.com.au/)

Natalie
08-06-2011, 11:59 AM
Well I didn't have much luck yesterday . I went and seen A GP about signing off on the medical assessment form, He just wrote a one sentence letter saying I was diagnosed with wegs in 2001. no help at all . Its not his fault . He dosnt know me at all and I didn't ask him the right questions . The wegs isn't the drama I can manage that fine but its My ears ..Will I be OK to Fly with a refracted Eardrum . ..
I filled out the online assessment while I was at the travel agency yesterday and Just put Wegs as My Illness with all my Meds I take .. But didn't say anything about my ear . Well that came back saying That With the Information you have given us You didn't need to fill out the assessment ! . and gave me cover .
All well and good But I need to find a doc and ask the Question .can i fly with. a refracted eardrum?? .. ??.. if I can get that cleared up and call the Insurance people back and tell them about My ear they will have to reassess my insurance cover .. hopefully they will cover me . Alot of going around in circles ..
I have an appointment tomorrow At another local GP to see if I can get an ok to fly with m ear ... see what happens .. :)

pberggren1
08-06-2011, 12:03 PM
Not sure about the ear drum. But I have flown several times since I got Wegs.

jola57
08-06-2011, 01:37 PM
Same here, insurance with preexisting disease is a safe bet and available. I would make sur about the eardrum for two reasons, one can you fly and two, will it be covered under your insurance. Most insurances want to make sure that you have not been adjusting your meds for the past 3 months and that your condition is stable.

mishb
08-06-2011, 02:07 PM
Thanks Natalie,
I actually do some underwriting for Great Lakes Aust (liability ins. not travel), anyhow, I guess because they already know me, they said no, probably because things are still up in the air and other conditions are still being decided.

I am so happy they you can get the cover, but yes, get that ear situation sorted out with them.

Take care and happy travels

drz
08-07-2011, 12:12 AM
Not sure about the ear drum. But I have flown several times since I got Wegs.

I too have flown a couple times with no problem since airplanes are pressurized so pressure changes are minimal. My Eustachian tube doesn't work either very well. I would ask an ENT doctor for an assessment about flying with your ear condition. Other people might have similar ear conditions caused by other things than WEGS so he could have experience in treating people like you. I some times have mild discomfort from ear drum being pulled in by vacuum in Eustachian tube and flying could make that worse but it didn't for me.

Natalie
08-07-2011, 06:04 PM
Thanks for all your input into this matter :) DRZ... thats interesting that you have flown with your Eustachin tube not functioning properly , Gives me Hope :D I might be able go on my Holiday afterall .., :thumbup:
I slept in today and missed my Doc appointment OOps :) I re booked for tomorrow afternoon .

I do know I need to be asking The ENT This question .. Its just such a muck around to get into see them without an appointment,the receptionists carry on like your braking all the rules ! and I was only there last week ! Just didnt get the question answered fully and would of need them to write a clearance note about it . ..
Will see what GP says about it tomorrow .. then might have to try getting in to see ENT again soon .. my Next appointment isn't until Feb next year .. I could even just call in on Tuesday when they have there clinic on and pull one of them aside ??.. That would piss the reception lady's off :razz:

Natalie
08-16-2011, 08:40 AM
Well I have been given the all clear to Fly :) ENT went over my Records /folder and cleared me . I have asked for this in writing and are waiting for it to come in the mail . very excited :hug3: lol .

jola57
08-20-2011, 07:13 PM
Good, now off you go....../

Natalie
09-12-2011, 09:02 AM
Good, now off you go....../ :smile1: only 6 weeks until i fly out :) whoo :biggrin1:

pberggren1
09-12-2011, 09:29 AM
:smile1: only 6 weeks until i fly out :) whoo :biggrin1:

Where are you going?

Natalie
09-12-2011, 09:43 AM
Where are you going? Hi pberggren :) Im going to New Zealand to visit my Best Friend and hope to meet some family I have never met before :) really looking farawd to it .. I bit nervous about flying but I will be fine once I'm up in the air and I have no trouble with my ears . :smile1:

pberggren1
09-12-2011, 10:35 AM
Flying is lots of fun Natalie. You will love it.

drz
09-12-2011, 12:21 PM
Flying is lots of fun Natalie. You will love it.

And Phil recommends meeting new family members too, don't you PHil? (smile)

pberggren1
09-12-2011, 12:26 PM
And Phil recommends meeting new family members too, don't you PHil? (smile)

Of course I do.......lol I just forgot........lol But flying is fun, trust me..........lol And yes, meeting my new sis and her family was awesome. And they have invited us to stay if I feel well enough after the implants.

marta
09-12-2011, 04:48 PM
Hey Natalie,

I just flew over from Edmonton to Hawaii (1.75hrs + 5.5hrs) no problems. I have tubes in both ears and my eustachian tubes are not functioning and didn't feel anything different on the plane than before all this schmozle. Not sure if your situation with your ears is anything like mine, but if it is then there is nothing to worry about. Have a wonderful trip - it is SOOOOOO good for the brain and the overall healing process.

Natalie
09-13-2011, 12:17 PM
Thanks Phil and Marta :) I know im goin to LOVE IT and I will be hooked and will want to do it annually . Marta that is What I wanted to hear :) Positive story's of flying with similar ear problems as mez:thumbsup: I will give a full report of my Trip when I return with photos :smile: . I get my Airfare tickets and insurance tomorrow , Then Its counting down the days Whooooo .

mishb
01-26-2012, 04:15 PM
Have been looking in to Travel Insurance again because we are thinking of travelling to the US (again) towards the end of this year.
As mentioned in this thread, I did travel there before diagnosis in 2009 without any troubles, and in 2010 travelled to Fiji after diagnosis (but pre medication) without any troubles although my ankles were swollen and painful for a few days after we got there.

I spoke to a friend of mine the other day who is the National Manager of a large travel insurance company over here and even though it is beyond, even his pull, to get travel insurance for me, he asked me this very easy question. Michelle, what if any, would be the potential troubles with you flying 15 hours to the States and when you are over there?
He said, you have to ask yourself this question and if you can see no possible problems occurring then you should be fine.
He also then said that it would be harder to get full cover the the States than anywhere else purely because of the costs of medical assistance, if required.

Arrrrgh, I didn't know what to say to him, I wish I had a crystal ball but I don't. He said think about it, hard. He said, what about your ears, what could they do, what about your joints etc.
When I got home, the first thing I thought about were blood clots, dvt, ear pressure.

I did have symptoms in 2008 the first time we went to the States and I didn't have any problems at all, so with this reasoning (touch wood), now that I have a diagnosis and under medication, I should not have any problems ..... right. :unsure::thumbup:

What do you all think the answer to my friends question would be?

Al
01-26-2012, 04:36 PM
Michelle, I can't tell you about the vagaries of insurance, but I can say this about potential problems: Long haul flights are, indeed, challenging for those at high risk for clots, though this can be minimized on larger aircraft that permit walking around. In lieu of this, certain exercises help immensely, as does keeping properly hydrated (air travel dries you out in a big way). As for ear pressure, it is the number of hops, more than the distance that is the problem, though, if you souffer pain on takeoff, another 14 hours is not a lot of fun. I am no fan of decongestants, but if you tend to be clogged up anyway, I would ask the doc for a recommendation.

The only other thing I can say, not knowing about the specific insurance plan, is that you need to make sure your credit card is is good shape. Med facilities here, should you need them, typically would ask for cash payment if they do not have a relationship with your insurance, and you would have to be reimbursed on our own later. (That, by the way, is how it would be with us if we pulled up lame in, say, Canada.)

Al

mishb
01-26-2012, 04:50 PM
Thanks Al, that's interesting to know about the payment side of things.
I do have a very good credit card that hasn't been used for years and it does offer free travel insurance but nothing for pre-existing conditions.
I hope I never have to use it ever ever ever. :biggrin1:

I could only foresee possible plane troubles but nothing whilst on the ground. Although, I could fall out of the teacups at Disneyland.
Who knows, I may not get any troubles what so ever and then get hit by a bus on the way home. (I always use a bus as an example because that's the type of insurance I underwrite)

Al
01-26-2012, 05:11 PM
Thanks Al, that's interesting to know about the payment side of things.
I do have a very good credit card that hasn't been used for years and it does offer free travel insurance but nothing for pre-existing conditions.
I hope I never have to use it ever ever ever. :biggrin1:

I could only foresee possible plane troubles but nothing whilst on the ground. Although, I could fall out of the teacups at Disneyland.
Who knows, I may not get any troubles what so ever and then get hit by a bus on the way home. (I always use a bus as an example because that's the type of insurance I underwrite)

Not sure how it works in your land, Michelle. In the UK, the government owns all the facilities, and the doctors are government employees, so there they typically wouldn't reimburse anyone for something that happened outside GB. I think this is why the insurance there is so high. It is quite different in Canada, which pays doctors for services, so they have a bureaucracy that is used to reimbursements. If we in the US go to Mexico on vacation (not a planned medical holiday), we would be expected to buy Mexican insurance unless the the credit card company has that as a benefit. (Most, these days, offer at least a medical evacuation benefit, though this wouldn't help for emergencies.) It is possible, though I have no knowledge if this is so, that there are American insurers offering plans for non-American visitors--at outrageous rates, of course.

By the way, if I had inner ear anomalies, I would be careful of the Disneyland rides....

Al

MCC
01-26-2012, 07:00 PM
Michelle, I posted earlier in the thread about this company I insured with going UK to US: Cheap Travel Insurance Australia ? Annual Travel Insurance (http://www.insureandgo.com.au/) This is there Aus website. They insured me no problem and it wasn't ridiculously expensive. I THINK 50 pounds for 6 days. Of course depends how sick you are though...

mishb
01-26-2012, 09:14 PM
Michelle, I posted earlier in the thread about this company I insured with going UK to US: Cheap Travel Insurance Australia ? Annual Travel Insurance (http://www.insureandgo.com.au/) This is there Aus website. They insured me no problem and it wasn't ridiculously expensive. I THINK 50 pounds for 6 days. Of course depends how sick you are though...

I'm not sick ......... I don't look sick ......do I.
Thankyou I will have a look at this Insurance. The travel agency does have travel insurance that I can get (with an extra cost) so that is not the problem, it's just trying to assertain what issues may occur but since I don't and none of you (I don't think) have fortune telling skills, then it is hard to gauge.

I guess I can prevent the dvt by wearing support stockings and making sure I move around enough. I can take some sudafed to stop the ears and wear a mask to avoid those horrible bugs. Apart from that, I probably could make two choices......1. not go at all or 2. bubble wrap myself so nothing happens. (and these two things are not going to happen)

I go back to see my Rheumy at the beginning of March, so I will ask her what she has seen and heard from other patients and what she thinks.
And I will give my National Manager friend an answer to his question when I see him on Saturday, and then he can tell me what he thinks, as well.

Sangye
01-27-2012, 04:25 AM
Thanks Al, that's interesting to know about the payment side of things.
I do have a very good credit card that hasn't been used for years and it does offer free travel insurance but nothing for pre-existing conditions.
I hope I never have to use it ever ever ever. :biggrin1:

I could only foresee possible plane troubles but nothing whilst on the ground. Although, I could fall out of the teacups at Disneyland.
Who knows, I may not get any troubles what so ever and then get hit by a bus on the way home. (I always use a bus as an example because that's the type of insurance I underwrite)
Car accidents, falls, illness other than Wegs (eg food-poisoning) are all things that could bankrupt you here in the USA, much less any of the complications from Wegs. It really upsets me to think that visitors to the US take serious financial risks just to come here.

Sangye
01-27-2012, 04:27 AM
I'm not sick ......... I don't look sick ......do I.

You look a little green around the gills. :ohmy:

mishb
01-27-2012, 12:51 PM
You look a little green around the gills. :ohmy:

But my eyes are clear and I'm still smiling, so all is good in the world :thumbsup:

Thankyou for your other reply. Food poisoning would never have entered my mind - I only really associated that with 3rd world countries, and my trip to Fiji could have been a doosy where food and sanitation hygiene is concerned.

Yes, falling out of the teacups did occur to me but I guess falling from a bumper car or even falling overboard off the paddlesteamer............... I do jest, thankyou for your advice.

Sangye
01-28-2012, 03:48 AM
Yeah, food poisoning is a given in a trip to a 3rd World country (been there, barfed and pooped that). But it's still prevalent everywhere.

drz
01-28-2012, 04:07 PM
Biggest risks to me would be injury from accident, broken bones etc that require ER care, infection or illness requiring in patient care, and worry about having a flare but this might be handled best by getting a medical evacuation policy that would get you back home for treatment. I had a policy through a large organization that I belong to that offered this for around $10 a month. I bought this when i thought about going back to South Africa for another visit after I heard about a case where it required an air ambulance to haul some one back to USA and it cost several hundred thousand dollars which the insurance covered. This plan also covered any emergency trips in USA like getting seriously burned and needing emergency trransfer to a hospital that specialized in treating burn victims so might be good to have. I dropped it after I figured I was not in good enough health to travel very far from home anyway.

You should also have a policy that would cover ER and short term care since a short stay in a hospital can easily cost 50-100 thousand US $ and many require cash unless you have a known insurance plan they will accept.

mishb
02-26-2012, 01:34 PM
Hi all,

Well I still haven't got my travel insurance thing sorted yet and I still haven't spoken to my Rheumy about going (see her on the 5th March) but that hasn't stopped us still looking around and thinking of places to go.

We are thinking now of going to Disneyworld in Florida, plus the surrounding other attractions, since we have already been to Disneyland in Anaheim, and I'm really after peoples thoughts on which is the best place.
We could have an Australia to Hawaii to Los Angeles or we could do Australia to Dallas to Orlando trip.
There will be 6 adults and 4 kids but the kids are 23, 19, 18 & a 12 year old.

Psyborg
02-28-2012, 12:29 AM
Disney in Florida is definitely better. With kids that age they'll probably like the Hollywood studio park the best. Though as an old kid I still like them all for different things :)

mishb
02-28-2012, 08:56 AM
Thanks Bob,
The more I look into it, the better it looks and I think the 12 year old would love the Kennedy Space thingy :biggrin1: ...........but then the original one is an institution in itself.

I even looked last night at the Japanese one but .......... nahh

Will keep on searching

Dirty Don
02-28-2012, 11:59 AM
Been to both...DisneyWorld has way more to do, but being in LA also has plenty at the old Disney...it's still my favorite...but I'm just an oversized kid...LOL...good luck & have fun!

Al
02-28-2012, 03:52 PM
What do you want to see, Michelle? It is a diverse country, and there is more to it than theme parks. Oh, those can be fun; Southern California is, in fact, where make-believe is reality (and vice-versa), and Florida is pretty unreal in its own right. No problem there. Still, I would hate to have the world thing that America is all Disneyland, even if there is a grain of truth in that....

Al

Al

mishb
02-28-2012, 08:16 PM
I know what you mean Al, but its every kid's (young and old) dream, all over the world, to go to Disneyland.

Most in our group want to go to Disneyland, others want to go to Vegas and a couple want to go to New York.

When we were there in 2008 we did LA, San Diego and Vegas but there was only 4 of us then, we have 6 others this time.
My husband only wants to see the biggest tenpin bowling centre with the most number of bowling lanes he can find, and his research takes him to Vegas.
My brother wants to go to Vegas for the casino sensation.

One day I will go to Graceland but not this time around, or I could spend my days at San Diego zoo and seaworld.

There are lots of different interests within our little group but we want the kids to have the adventure/disneyland dream before they have partners and kids of there own

Psyborg
02-29-2012, 12:09 AM
One suggestion if you can swing it...Yellowstone National Park. It is one of the absolute most impressive places in the us...assuming you are in to nature. :)

Al
02-29-2012, 06:01 AM
I have a kind of love/hate relationship with Las Vegas, Michelle. On the one hand, it represents everything that is wrong with America. On the other, it is absolutely the best place for amateur sociology.

As Bob says, Yellowstone is terrific, as are the other National Parks. But in my old age I am less enthused about urban environments. Been there, done that sort of thing. If you like your parked to be themed, you've got to go where it is (to me) claustrophobic. Las Vegas is a theme park in its entirety. So, too, is New York, though it has no casinos. There, the gambling is on an altogether different level.

Al

KathyB
03-04-2012, 03:41 AM
If you're into history, try Northern Virginia and Washington DC! I have loved living in this area for the last six years. Although with retirement coming June 30, my hubby and I are selling our home in Fredricksburg and moving permanently (and down-sizing) to our place on the Currituck Sound (NC). Lots to see and do (and relax!) in the OBX!

mishb
05-20-2012, 12:48 PM
Okay, we are nearly there.

We have just about decided on LA, Anaheim, San Diego and Vegas.

I have another question for my USA friends and its about Thanksgiving.
The dates that we have chosen to go (21st Nov to 1st Dec or thereabouts) we have found out, incorporates Thanksgiving.

Is Thanksgiving a holiday nightmare for travelling?? Would Disneyland and such areas be overcrowded? Would accommodation costs be inflated?
Do people usually take the extended break as a time to stay home and be with their family, or do they usually take a short holiday?
What I'm asking is, should we avoid these 5 days and go earlier or later?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou.....again :love:

Dirty Don
05-20-2012, 01:10 PM
Thanksgiving is one of the worst times to travel in the US. People visiting relatives, etc. All depends on how and when you schedule things of interest...for example: Disneyland will be crowded most likely. And, you're visiting a densely populated area as it is in SoCal...on the other hand, Vegas shouldn't be too bad at that time. Best of luck!

drz
05-20-2012, 10:00 PM
Thanksgiving is one of the worst times to travel in the US. People visiting relatives, etc. All depends on how and when you schedule things of interest...for example: Disneyland will be crowded most likely. And, you're visiting a densely populated area as it is in SoCal...on the other hand, Vegas shouldn't be too bad at that time. Best of luck!

Most of the travel is done to see family so some times the regular tourist spots are very deserted and often have good specials to try attract people during what might be a very slow time otherwise. Some that cater to families might be extremely over booked. You would need to check with Disney to find out if this is a very busy time for them. My guess is that it would be but Vegas might have great specials during this period but commercial travel like flights and car rentals will be difficult around Thanksgiving time except for that day.

mishb
05-20-2012, 10:10 PM
Thanks Don and drz

We could possibly travel before with our last few days, being from the 24th Nov onwards, spent in Vegas.
I will get our travel agent to check in to it.
Now that we have that sorted, back to getting some Travel Insurance :thumbup:

drz
05-20-2012, 10:14 PM
What does your travel agent recommend for insurance? Medical evacuation insurance is generally rather cheap and often includes any emergency care needed to get you ready to fly home.


Thanks Don and drz

We could possibly travel before with our last few days, being from the 24th Nov onwards, spent in Vegas.
I will get our travel agent to check in to it.
Now that we have that sorted, back to getting some Travel Insurance :thumbup:

mishb
05-20-2012, 11:21 PM
Medical evacuation insurance sounds like a good option.
I have been recommended to just get it without pre-existing medical or just don't tell them.
I'm not sure I like either of those options option.
There are places are can get full cover and as soon as we know the exact dates I will make the call and find out the cost.

Al
05-23-2012, 05:22 AM
Michelle, as long as you avoid domestic travel the weekends before and after Thanksgiving, you should be fine, and, as has been said here, you may even get some bargains, since the holiday is very much family (and extended family) oriented. The roads around Los Angeles are likely to be crowded on the holiday itself (which I believe is on the 22nd this year), as everyone and his brother and his dogs are all trying to get to Grandma's house. This could be an issue if you rent a car.

Al