A trip abroad is a dream for most people, but sometimes things go awry. Flights get canceled, trains get delayed, hotels have bugs and tours don’t live up to their promises — unfortunately, unexpected issues can pop up when traveling. Even if you are visiting one of the cheapest countries, these surprise expenses can burn a hole in your wallet.
When you’re out of the country, it’s not as simple to call and demand a refund when you can’t speak the language or it costs money to make that call in the first place. Plus, there may be different consumer laws and regulations in other countries, too.
But there are things you can do to get your money back when you experience a travel roadblock. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a refund from anywhere in the world.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
1. Have travel insurance before you go
Travel insurance is a smart way to protect yourself when you go on any trip. While most travel insurance options won’t offer complete reimbursements, they will get you sizable refunds for common trip headaches, like stolen luggage, canceled transportation and shoddy accommodations. You can compare rates with providers like Faye Travel Insurance.
“Before you book your trip, check if the credit card you plan to use offers any travel insurance or assistance that might be useful to you. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to begin shopping for travel coverage through a carrier that offers comprehensive travel coverage,” advised Mark Friedlander, the director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute.
If anything comes up, you can then contact your travel insurance to try to get a refund. Jenna Hummer, the director of publicity for Squaremouth, a travel insurance company, said your steps should “then be to:
- Have all receipts from your trip ready ahead of time
- Obtain documentation from your travel supplier proving you canceled your trip
- Provide as much detail as possible in your claim form and interview
- Be prepared to send in additional information or documentation to support your claim"
Of course, not everyone needs to invest in travel insurance, Hummer added.
“Travelers with existing protection through their travel credit cards, airline, or through others means, travelers that don’t have any prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses, travelers with few trip expenses, or taking relatively inexpensive trips, travelers with existing medical coverage that covers them for their trips” likely won’t want to buy travel insurance, she said.
2. Check the policies
Let’s say you’re one of those people who didn’t choose to get travel insurance. You may still be protected in another way. Look at what your credit card offers, for example, as there are credit cards with travel insurance.
You can also check out the policies on the offending company’s site: The airline, hotel, or vendor may already have a structure in place for people experiencing problems.
3. Contact the company directly
If you don’t have travel insurance or the company doesn’t offer an automatic resolution, you’ll want to reach out directly. The fastest way is probably via phone, so try to make these calls while you’re already abroad. If you’re already back in the United States, you can use calling apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or FaceTime to help make a free or low-cost international call.
Of course, you may run into an issue if you don’t speak the language. In that case, you can always try to contact the company via email or social media, where you can use a translation app to help get your message across, Friedlander suggested.
4. Get a local to intervene on your behalf
If your emails are going unanswered or you just can’t communicate with the vendor, consider turning to a local for help, Friedlander said. They can mediate for you and help you advocate for what you need.
Don’t know anyone directly on the ground in this country? “Asking a bilingual employee at the hotel where you are staying may be another option,” he explained.
5. Dispute the credit card charge
Unfortunately, sometimes the vendor just won’t be responsive, regardless of how you communicate. That’s when it’s time to talk with your credit card company.
Contact them to explain the situation and dispute the credit card charge. Just make sure you have the proper documentation to back up your claims. Typically, chargebacks are simple to do and are often approved.
Related Content
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Close Mixed Amid War Angst, Nvidia AnxietyMarkets went into risk-off mode amid rising geopolitical tensions and high anxiety ahead of bellwether Nvidia's earnings report.
-
What the Comcast Cable Spinoff Means for InvestorsComcast has announced plans to spin off select cable networks and digital assets into a separate publicly traded company. Here's what you need to know.
-
How Lower Interest Rates Affect Your FinancesThe Fed's rate cuts will provide relief for some borrowers, but savers will have to work harder to get decent returns.
-
Five Steps to a Mindfully Fearless CareerIf, like many women, you're struggling with imposter syndrome, try developing an athlete's winning mindset. It's as simple as facing one small fear every day.
-
Six Ways to Optimize Your Charitable Giving Before Year-EndAs 2024 winds down, right now is the time to look at how you plan to handle your charitable giving. The sooner you start, the more tax-efficient you can be.
-
Structured Settlement Annuity vs Lump-Sum Payout: Which Is Better?As the use of structured settlement annuities grows, it can be tough to decide whether to take the lump sum to invest or opt instead for guaranteed payments.
-
What to Do as Soon as Your Divorce Is FinalDon't delay — getting these tasks accomplished as soon as possible can help you avoid costly consequences.
-
How to Fight Inflation's Hidden Threat to Your SavingsIf higher prices are putting your savings goals on hold, you're in danger of financial erosion. Fortunately, several strategies can help stop the spread.
-
Seven Luxury Places to See the Northern Lights This WinterThe northern lights will be at their most captivating this winter. Fancy making them even more magical? From hotels on ice to glass cabins and mountain yurts, here are seven places to see the northern lights with luxury winter stays.
-
Does a Farm Need a Different Homeowners Insurance Policy?Homeowners insurance is all about providing the right tool for the right exposure, and life on the farm comes with different risks than life in the city.
