Where's Johnny Jet? My wife said to me a couple of days ago, "Is tomorrow Tuesday or Wednesday?" I said, “Thursday.” These days, the days are just blending together. Now I know why some hotels and cruises have elevator carpets that state the day of the week. I’m starting to think I need them in our house.
This was supposed to be a special week for us: We were going on a dream trip to Hawaii. It was supposed to be my daughter’s first flight and even her first trip out of the state. And it would have been my wife’s first flight since May 2019 when her doctor grounded her during her pregnancy. Obviously, that trip is now on hold indefinitely but I’m just very thankful that my family is together and healthy, and that we have food and a roof over our heads. This public health crisis has been difficult for so many people for so many different reasons but it has also shone a bright light on all the things we have to be grateful for.
My experience calling 5 different airlines for refunds I booked our outbound flight on Hawaiian Airlines (row 11 on an A330), our inter-island flight on Southwest Airlines and our return on American. I also had JetBlue and Air Canada flights coming up. I took notes while calling each airline to get a refund. Some of them tried playing tricks while others were a pleasure to work with. Here's my experience calling five different airlines for refunds.
Related: If the airlines have canceled your flight to/from/within the U.S., you're entitled to a FULL refund. Not a travel credit. See the DOT's enforcement notice clarifying airline refund requirements here.
My uncle George passed away from COVID-19
I’m worried about my dad in a senior home in Florida and trying to figure out how I can bring him here to live with me so he’s not so lonely. It’s been a rough go for him and my cousins recently as my uncle George (my dad’s brother) had been in a New Jersey hospital alone because he caught COVID-19. Sadly, he passed away yesterday morning. Under normal circumstances I would jump on a plane to attend the funeral and to grieve with my family. Now everything is just up in the air. Crazy times we’re living in.
Would you go on a cruise in 2020?
I love cruising but I just don’t think this is the time to be on one. This week, a writer from the U.K.'s Telegraph lambasted me for saying so. Please read both of our stories (here's mine and here's hers) and leave a comment on the page telling me whether or not you would go on a cruise in 2020. I’m interested in hearing your opinion.
Johnny Jet’s coronavirus resources
We’ve been writing a lot of coronavirus-related travel stories (they can all be found here and on our comprehensive Coronavirus Resource Page For Travelers. If you find any of them helpful, please share with your family and friends and encourage them to sign up to our newsletter (they can sign up on this page). Here are some of our latest stories: Easy Easter Egg Craft to Make With Kids Travel Movies That Inspire Wanderlust Try the Airline’s International Call Centers If You Can’t Get Through How to Have a Luau at Home How to Make an Acai Bowl 10 Thai Recipes to Make When You Can’t Go to Thailand The Face Mask Travelers Already Have at Home The Happy Face Mask Hack A Scam I Almost Fell For During the Coronavirus Pandemic Use These Zoom Tips When Video-Calling Friends and Family How To Keep Earning Points And Miles While In Quarantine I also just wrote my first piece for CNN.com. Here’s my story: What coronavirus means for elite airplane passengers
Hoping you all stay safe and healthy! Follow me on social! If you're on social media, don't forget that you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter.
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To help you stay safe, I’m sharing my experience with a coronavirus scam so you don’t find yourself in the same situation.
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| If you’re looking for a refund for a flight from a major airline and you can’t get through on the phone, you have options.
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| My friend Laura came up a way to spread a little bit of cheer during these challenging times. If it puts a real smile on just one face, it's worth it!
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