Is this a bad idea?

[PinkTulip]

Maybe I'm just having cabin fever and want to think about better days ahead, but I am thinking about booking a family vacation over Christmas break. What does the Hive think? Do you think this craziness will have settled down by Christmas, or am I just setting myself up for future disappointment?

Pros: DH and I both have stable jobs, very unlikely to be let go or reduced hours; oldest DS is likely getting married next summer (2021), so this would be a last family hurrah before that happens; flights would be changeable with no fee if booked by April 30 (but only for a credit with the airline, not a refund); hotel is fully refundable up to 60 days prior to travel.

Cons: Coronavirus - second wave? Just generally lots of unknowns about the future right now.

Is this something you're thinking, "Oh, I wouldn't be doing that right now!" or more "I think that things will be calmed down enough by then that I would be comfortable doing this." My brain is having a hard time thinking logically and rationally today - I really just want something happy to look forward to.

[itsheresomewhere]

I would do it if it was refundable if canceled by a certain date. 

[bolt.]

I'd keep the plans tentative (or fully refundable). I don't know how soon things will return to full-normal, and I'm thinking tourism in general may take a while to rebound. You'll also want to think about economic impacts on your family's finances... and maybe also on your sense of how 'people who can afford vacations' might not be the norm for a while.

Edited April 2, 2020 by bolt.

[MEmama]

Unless the airline outright cancels the flight we were supposed to take later this month, we will only receive a credit that has to be used by the end of the year. I’m definitely not at the point where I personally want to commit to going overseas for the foreseeable future, but that could change. My head just can’t go much past tomorrow right now.

Idk. It’s a tough call. Do you have to commit now? Or can you just hold on to the credit while sort of pre-planning a maybe trip? 

[Farrar]

Virtually everything is refundable or changeable right now. Like, if they can sell you something - airlines, hotels, etc. - they will sell it to you with flexible dates right now for no extra fees or with the ability to cancel. So your risk may be pretty low. Look around and see.