Readers felt taken advantage of as Hawaii vacations canceled.
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Readers felt taken advantage of as Hawaii vacations canceled.
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I am moving from Kauai. I had to, just by chance, go to the airport to find out Alaska Air is no longer flying to or from Kauai. I am moving with two kitties. I called Alaska and they said they won’t know anything until the governor tells them they can or cannot fly! They said they have partnered with Hawaiian to get us to Oahu, where we could get the flight of our choice. They said Ige’s decision is based only on whether there is a 72 hour Covid Test. That is, anyone coming to the island must still quarantine for 14 days, plus they must have had a covid test within 72 hours of flying. I can tell you it ain’t going to happen at least in September! I can see why the tourists are frustrated, and yes it is turning into a ponzi scheme….
We come to Kauai every year (last 30 years) in late October to end of November. We have a timeshare that we love. That brings to flying from Phoenix, AZ to the islands. We always fly Hawaiian because no matter what they take care of us. We had to cancel this years plane reservations but moved them ahead to 2021. Aloha and stay healthy and safe.🌈🍹🌴🍍🌸❤❤
Hi Trisha.
Thanks.
Aloha.
My son was to get married in April in Oahu. About a dozen family members all booked with the same rental agency. The wedding was postponed to October. With so much uncertainty it has now been cancelled. The agency will only give is credit for up to 12 mos. from the original booking and booking same unit. How just is that? how do we know we can go in april 2021? They won’t budge. Lots of unhappy families and a sad bride and groom
We visit hawaii at least 2 times a year for several weeks – have been doing that since 1975 at the young age of 22!!!!! We’re not touching a reservation for Hawaii with a 10′ pole until all of the COVID is over and we know that the Hawaii economy and resorts can handle tourism again. We were originally planning our Fall trip for November and Spring trip for April – but even our timeshares are gouging us with non-refundable fees, and it took me over 95 days just to get my refund for a car rental that was not used this past April in KOA….the car company just couldn’t get it that the islands were closed and we were kicked off back to the mainland.
I always read carefully these newsletters and it looks to me like the quarantine is still ending August 31 and the Covid test requirement is kicking in September 1. If I am wrong on this information I would sure appreciate knowing if the governor has changed it.
I haven’t made my plane reservation for my September 3 Trip to visit my daughter there.
Does the quarantine requirement end August 31?.
Thanks so much, Debbie
Hi Debbie.
It will definitely not be ending August 31. The governor has been remiss in advising visitors and stakeholders. We look forward to providing more details soon.
Aloha.
We own 2 condos at Maui Wailea Ekahi and rent via Vrbo. We have had a number of cancellations and regret that our guests have to change their plans. We have provided rescheduled dates in 2021 at no annual price increase or full refunds. We hope the virus can be controlled and the Hawaii government can implement a safe testing policy. This should get rid of the need for quarantine and enable Hawaii to reconstitute the welcoming spirit of Aloha.
This is not limited to Hawaii vacations. We have had the same experience with getting out of Hawaii as residents. United has many thousands of our dollars tied up in credit (has refused to refund) from 2020 flight tickets to Tokyo and Bangkok. So frustrating.
We have vacation planned for January and I contacted the condo management company (I Go Maui) asking what my options are, was told if we have to cancel for Covid restrictions they would give us a year from that date to reschedule. I felt this was very fair.
I am an owner who rents my unit and it has been tough! I had 10 cancellations between March and early May! Yes, to the tune of over $25,000. I refunded every penny to my renters as COVID was something to not mess with. Anyone renting through VRBO, even had those fees refunded. If you feel you didn’t get a fare shake on the returns, inquire! I have satisfied customers, who I believe will return when Hawaii opens.
Kudos to you as an owner. We also have had a great experience with the condo owner we like to rent from when we come. She has been fantastic and super patient with us and covid. Those who make it work for their customers like you have will have faithful renters going forward.
When we had to cancel our August Maui trip, our cancellation process was great for both our room and air.
CONDO: The owner I worked with through Airbnb was professional, flexible and very communicative. Before booking, I made sure that the cancellation process was something that was fair and flexible since it was during the time that Hawaii was unsure when the quarantine period would be lifted. This is where I believe the visitor needs to take the initiative – only book through reputable sites and communicate with the owner about their cancellation policy (in writing). You have no one else to blame except yourself if you skip this process.
AIR: I paid for my airline tickets partially with vouchers. Because of the quarantine issues, they issued me a full refund except for what I paid with my vouchers, which they reissued and extended out for another year.
Overall – do your research. If you don’t, it will make the cancellation process very frustrating.
A couple weeks ago I sent Lt Gove Green an email and alerted him to two companies on the mainland who had developed a fast response (15 minutes) saliva test for Covid-19. I also suggested a pre-boarding and an arrival testing plan for visitors/travelers.
His response was yes on the testing, but unless the test had an EUA it was a no-go.
Yesterday, I sent him a copy of CNN’s announcement of a fast-test that has been approved by FDA under its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This same announcement indicated that testing supplies are not limited so production and delivery could occur rapidly.
That would be the short term solution that Hawaii needs.
Imagine: Testing at the airport before boarding. Must have negative to board. Period.
NOW is the time for someone from the governor’s office to go to mainland, meet with lab and supplier, strike a deal for a million tests and set a plan in place to open Hawaii.
With my experience as a Purchasing Manager, I can tell you that the supplier will react to those who act quickly, check-in-hand. As travel is THE critical component to our livelihood it should be self evident that Hawaii needs this solution…NOW! Mahalo.
Hi Jim.
Thank you.
Aloha.
WOW, Just called Hawaiian Air and I am getting a refund for the 11 tickets, for a September departure. Was told it would take 7 to 10 business to appear on my credit card!! I played the game of chicken and it worked!! Now on to United Air, last I checked still a waiver. I have been stressed out with these airlines, not fair. Better my money on my side of the table than theirs!!!
If the airlines cancel your flight to the islands, you should be able to get a refund even if it’s a nonrefundable ticket. You may be offered a voucher first for the dollar value of your original ticket but just know that you’re entitled to a refund. If you use a professional travel agent, you’ll have a personal advocate working with the airlines or hotel/resort on your behalf.
Stop booking vacations to Hawaii. Plain and simple. If you’re still booking trips to Hawaii you’re asking for problems and no sympathy for you.
There is NO point at all to making any travel plans most anywhere now. Places open, then close. Virgin Islands just closed today, Bahamas not long ago. Similar story for several places. I had timeshares for May, Sept, and Nov. All back in the bank for future years. Didn’t bother to book flights for Sept or Nov.
Make plans only after things are open for 6 weeks to make sure it is stable – probably won’t be until 2021 due to the fumbling bumbling government. And definitely refundable only.
We canceled our July trip to a kauai for our sons wedding. Hawaiian airlines wouldn’t refund our tickets but gave us credit I’ll 5/22 as did our accommodation deposit of $100. We preferred& tried for a refund but both denied it.we are very disappointed especially with the airlines
We’ve been planning to to travel to Hawaii since May to see family/friends and for R&R. We have been fortunate enough to be able to move our mainland to HI flight plans twice after Gov Ige pulled his bait and switch with visitors. Although we were set to travel mid-September through early October, and although Ige is still selling the idea that Sep 1 is a possibility, we’ve read the writing on the wall. Hawaii’s government has done little to prepare for the eventualities that were certain to arise, little to plan for visitors, and less to provide clear, reasonable guidance to those of us that have spent thousands to go. We finally changed our tickets to fly to Tahiti. They seem on the ball and government is providing much clearer guidelines (e.g. providing regularly updated lists of accepted PCR tests and their labs/providers) to visitors, still offering reasonable protections to its citizens, while not completely driving their economy into the ground, a la Hawaii’s current administration. At worst, I am going to lose thousands on my trip. I cannot imagine what many small business owners and individuals are facing in Hawaii–the absolute loss of livelihood and loss of years of work due to Ige and his administration’s incompetence.
We were booked for last May for 9 nights in Kona. Of course we were cancelled. What I did and highly recommend is use Social Media customer service for your benefit. I didn’t even contact Hawaiian Airlines like I usually would. I went to their page on F.B. and reached out to their customer service there. I got my refund for our 3 tickets in full the same day. (they did say it could take several weeks). When you are on their page their other customers can read exactly what service they are providing you. What ever platform you can use with social media where you can rate their service will get you your money back. Try it, it works. Best wishes to all getting refunds.
I just received an email stating that our flights for our October trip (3rd-10th) on American Airlines have been cancelled. I thought it was interesting given that no announcement has been made one way or the other for October. We were flying to Maui. The email stated that we would either get a refund or a credit. I booked through a Chase Rewards card using points so hoping to just have those refunded back. I haven’t even tried to contact our accommodations yet since we were still hopeful. We usually schedule our trips a year in advance and come in Sept or Oct. I think everyone in our party is hesitant to make plans even that far in the future now. So much indecision and uncertainty from the leadership of Hawaii has made us skittish.
I finally canceled my two week vacation to Hilton Hawaiian village starting Sept 21. It is a great relief and I will not book Hawaii again for a long time. I booked the same time in Florida. Flight was about half as long for half the price. Resort was a lot cheaper and still with Hilton.
We had reservations for 4 on both Maui and Kauai for May 2020, the condo owner on Maui gave us a full refund without any problem. However, the condo owner on Kauai refused to refund any portion but did allow us to reschedule for May 2021. Taking into consideration the length of this downturn makes us wonder if he will still own the condo next year or has to file bankruptcy due to ongoing mortgage payments and no income from the rental. What recourse does that leave for travelers who are now out thousands of dollars? I have empathy for all the folks who live on those beautiful islands and aren’t able to earn a living because the islands are closed to travelers.
We had two weeks scheduled in March of ’20. Early Covid but the real reason was I broke my ankle in December and hadn’t recovered enough. Our Condo simply rolled us over to February ’21. May be a little more expensive as the rates per week are different. Alaska Airlines fully refunded the cost, which was primarily miles, and then we re-booked for February on the same tickets. The one “tour” we had scheduled refunded our money and then rescheduled for February. So, our experience in Hawaii is that they all work with us. We had a similar experience with our Ecuador and Australia arrangements.
We had our flight from Maui to Kauai cancelled and we HAD travel insurance purchased For those flights and Hawaiian Airlines will not even reply to my many emails!!
Aloha Robert! you can call Hawaiian Airlines anytime. I have only called 3 times to reschedule (haha), and have never had an issue that was not resolved to my satisfaction, including cancelling my Wife’s Ticket, and they gave us an option for a refund or saving it for booking a later date. I am not sure what their current policy is for refunds, but we did not have any issues.
Robert L, try using Facebook messenger, they answer that for some reason. It worked for me, got my refund pronto. /
I think this Coronavirus situation is a nightmare for everyone! The travel industry is trying to do the best that they can. The Governor is trying to play it safe due to the limited medical resources. Being a chain of Islands makes it tricky to get supplies, just ask Puerto Rico. I appreciate that he doesn’t want people to die on his watch. The Hawaiian residents are suffering because tourism is their main source of income. I miss Hawaii as much as the next guy, but it’s not about me. Let’s think globally and remember this is a hardship for everyone. Let’s all take a breath and say a prayer for the greater good of our fellow citizens.
Well said! The travel industry in general has been very hard hit by the pandemic. Many Americans are suffering due to loss of business, jobs, and maybe their homes in the near future. I’m sure that Hawaiians can’t wait to open up to tourism again once it’s safe. Personally, I can’t wait to go back to Maui once it’s safe to do so.
THANK YOU, NANI! Yes, this too shall pass and remember the Aloha spirit. We’re all hit hard by this. I have a condo on Kauai that I rent out on Airbnb, as part of my retirement income. Whenever anyone cancels with me, I give them a total refund, as that is the right thing to do. Hawaiian has been good at rescheduling me for a later date, but because I live there part time, that is no big deal for me, except they’re holding on to my $$ and that is the lease of my issues! At least I’m healthy!
Aloha everyone and stay safe!
We had amazing cooperation with the Dolphin Bay Resort and Hilo Hawaiian resort, both in Hilo. We were able to cancel and get a full refund. Southwest Airlines has also been accommodating, actually calling us when flights had to be rescheduled.
Hilo Hawaiian was great with the cancellation. I had purchased non-refundable, but they gave me back all the money. Thank you Hilo Hawaiian. This makes me want to stay there again. I love the view from their hotel.
I guess you’ve figured out that travel insurance is a long running scam. Welcome to the real world of Tavel.
Scam huh? That’s why I got my money back on a number of flights I had planned because it was a scam? I guess I better not purchase it next time so I lose my money when I have something come up
Hawaii is Closed!
I heard Hawaii is talking about a travel bubble. I would never spend thousands of dollars to be a prisoner in my hotel, have boxed meals brought to my door, have no air-conditioning, not be able to drive around on the islands, Or have to make a reservation just to go to the pool and have to wear a mask. I’m sure they would only be choosing pricey resorts to do this. That totally leaves out any rental properties.
You’ve got that right. GPS chip on your wrist, no air conditioning, no rental car, no visiting other places than the resort, prepackaged meals, no air conditioning, masks, reservations just to use the pool, employees that must live on the property and not go home to their families. This is the most idiotic idea that Hawaii has had yet.
Unfortunately I don’t think now is the time to reschedule or schedule any trips to Hawaii. It’s too volatile and it’s too heartbreaking. My June trip was canceled, and then I scheduled another one for December. But I got cold feet being that Hawaii is moving nowhere. The second time I was only able to get vouchers. The first time I was able to get my money back. I should’ve left things alone. But my heart aches and longs to go back to the islands so badly. I can’t let it go. But I need to at this point. I am supposed to be scheduling our June 2021 trip. I’m not going to reschedule any trips to Hawaii until everything is normal again. I am terrified to book an Airbnb and have them cx or sell or bail.
I have been refunded my flight fares by Hawaiian Airlines(2 weeks ago), I had a trip planned to Kauai in May 2020, which was cancelled. I originally took the credit and planned on using it next May, but with all the uncertain behavior of 1- this COVID virur and 2- Hawaiian governent, I messaged Hawaiian Air via Facebook messenger ( a tip I learned on this site) and had my credit reapplied to my visa card within 4 days. Now to get the results from our condo we rented at Hanalei Bay. The renting agency handling this stated no refunds only credit up to 18 months out. We will see how that goes.
Hi John.
Glad that tip paid off for you with Hawaiian Airlines.
Aloha.
We had a trip for four planned for the end of September to Maui and Oahu. We were waiting to see how Hawaii was going to handle travelers from the mainland AND worry about being able to get into Canada for our flight. United changed our flights and the new flight was eight hours longer. We called and were able to change our flights to new dates in April and also get a credit for the fare difference. We had a condo booked thru VRBO and the owner graciously changed dates for us and honored the original price even though April dates were more expensive. Now we wait and see about April.
I personally will not be making any kind if travel plass to Hawaii is the foreseeable future. Things are so up in the air, cancellation policies do not accommodate Covid closures, airlines are not helping either. We have enjoyed our visits to Hawaii but I feel we might have made our last trip.
Thank you
Hi Lisa.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I hate to keep saying this but good I hope MANY choose not to come again that way those of us who have been patient can get better pricing and hang out with only people who actually are happy to be there and dont white about what the state is or is not doing.
We’ve moved our extended family’s trip to Maui and Kaui 3 times now. Delta refunded the difference in fairs going from July to late August, but American would only issue vouchers. With a very limited time window. We could accept vouchers for the difference, but then when we had to rebook again to October, they wouldn’t take the vouchers for that change. Now we pushed back til next June. Waiting to see if the airlines cancel flights but not holding our breath. We could be out thousands just on American. I will not book them again if any options. We’d be happy if they at least extended the window to use the vouchers. Marriott Vacation Club is also not at all flexible. Must cancel by 60 days out or have points restricted. Timeshare owners – points or weeks – are going to get stuck having to travel a LOT in 2021 or whenever COVID is under control, or lose a lot. Not happy at all with their unwillingness to be more flexible! It’s been a total crap shoot!
Go to American’s page on Facebook and reach out to them there and their customer sevice. You will be happy with the results!
We had a trip to Maui planned for June, we purchased through Costco Travel nearly a year in advance. Costco kept us up to date via email as the dates approached (and the virus raged). Then, about a month before we were scheduled to leave we were notified our hotel and car reservations had been canceled and would be refunded. We were told that Costco would do its best to get us a refund from Hawaiian Airlines closer to our scheduled departure date. We received a full refund for our airline tickets a few weeks later. Costco really took care of us, I will be sure to book through them again. Looking forward to returning to Hawaii as soon as we get past this!
Costco is the best!!
I have been fortunate and only book using methods where I can get a full refund. I use points on Southwest (which are easily cancelled), I book my rooms through Maui Resort Rentals (when I go to Maui) which usually offers a 100% refund if cancelled within 60 days. They have even changed their policy for the better for all reservations until December. I also only rent cars through Costco. All pieces are fully refundable. And thank goodness too. I have had to cancel a May trip and a September trip. Now I stopped trying to go to Hawaii.
We have flights booked on Hawaiian air for August 28th, SMF to Honolulu RT They have made changes to our flights several times. They told me on the phone that we would only get a refund if they cancel our flights. So, we are trying to wait them out. But, we have to cancel at least 48 ahead to get a credit voucher
We had a timeshare booked through RCI, luckily we were able to cancel that. Although, we only have a credit voucher with them.
If you have any ideas as to how we can get our money back, we would be most aappreciative 😊
Thank you !
Hi Janet.
If you read today’s comments and what we have said before, the best way to contact Hawaiian is via direct messaging in social media. That seems to have worked based on what readers have reported many times.
Aloha.
As I posted a few months back, going through Hawaiian’s Facebook page got my money refunded and air miles redeposited.
Hawaii, and all of its vendors and businesses that rely on tourist $$$, it going to have to do without my $$$ for a LONG time into the future. I view Hawaii as toxic as the cruise industry where I won’t be planning to spend any $$$ until the soonest of 2022 if even then.
Other places have figured this out. Hawaii is hopelessly lost, even when they have examples of what is and what is not working elsewhere. It is unfortunate as I would prefer to spend my $$$ in Hawaii but no mas.
And what “other” places are those? No island that normally has tourists. But by all means keep crying.
I had to cancel my June 13, 2020, Maui trip. Since the airlines cancelled my flights, according to DOT guidelines I requested a refund, and I was refunded for all tickets. I had flights on American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. I still have not received a refund from the condo, they actually had to cancel because they couldn’t accommodate the 14 day quarantine. I had travel insurance also through AIG, filed a claim in May but they have not had time to look at it yet. Probably going to loose my $1,100.
It was me Nancy D that wrote that I clearly think the airlines are scamming us people selling us tickets to Hawaii then we can’t go .. or it’s impossible then just give us credit. Then the ticket cost more. The airlines are scamming us STOP SELLING TICKETS THEN…. we can’t swim to Hawaii dang it 🤣
It’s a highly transmitteable disease. Sorry about your vacation. The state of Hawaii is not at fault here.
I guess we were very lucky. We cancelled our flights and accommodations for April, and then again for November. Both Hilton and Hawaiian airlines were very accommodating. Of course, since we rebooked our flights and vacation for next March, there were no refunds involved. We did have to pay a bit for the fare difference between November and March, but nothing exorbitant. I thought we were treated very well, and are really hoping that all will be well for the trip in March. Missing our kids, and Hawaii.
Thanks for being a site where people can share their experiences, and for keeping us up to date.
Hi Lee.
Thanks for your dozens of comments!
Aloha.
The group of four of us that were planning to come have had ZERO issues in fact Hawaiian Airlines offered a full refund or use of our same tickets at no change no extra charge thru 2021. The Hotel graciously rescheduled us twice and refunded our money once we decided to pull the plug this year. So its Not everyone having these issues