I'm in deep deep shizzle

breadmonkey

I'm over in Thailand at the moment.

Many moons ago, myself and my girlfriend got all excited and booked our flights between two random dates that seemed to make sense. These dates are 66 days apart. My travel insurance only covers me for 60 days. I rang Trailfinders before I left and they told me that I could only change the flights once I had taken the initial flight to Bangkok. They said in order to change the flights I would just have to ring Malaysia Airlines and they would sort in out (subject to availability and a E50 penalty).

I rang Malaysia Airlines the other day, hoping to change my flights from the 23rd of August to the 15th of August. Unfortunately, the nearest flight from Kuala Lumpur to London is the 15th of JULY! FCUK!

Someone help me!

BuffyBot

Unfortunately, the nearest flight from Kuala Lumpur to London is the 15th of JULY! FCUK!

Do you mean this is the only availability they have?

Imposter

So what's the problem? You are not insured for 6 days? Get more insurance or take the risk of having none.

CiaranC

So? Just buy some more insurance...

monkeyfudge

Wrap yourself in bubble wrap and stay indoors for 6 days.

breadmonkey

CiaranC wrote:

So? Just buy some more insurance...

No insurance company will insure you once you have left the country, AFAIK. If anyone knows a company that will, please let me know IMMEDIATELY!

breadmonkey

BuffyBot wrote:

Do you mean this is the only availability they have?

That's what the Malaysian Airlines woman told me. It was an uphill battle trying to communicate even though it was supposed to be an English-speaking service, but I'm pretty sure she understood what was going on.

I'm flying home from Ho Chi Minh. The flight from there to Kuala Lumpar is "no problem", it's the Kuala Lumar to London that she says is booked back to the 15th of July.

I have emailed Malaysia airlines and am awaiting a reply. Do you think it's worth hassling Trailfinders?

mel123

Relax, just dont do any bungee jumping or hiring motorbikes and stuff like that. Ive gone on hols before without insurance, and know people who would never get it!! Relax!!!!!!

SkepticOne

Do a lot of dangerous/stupid stuff now while you are still ensured. That way either you will be sick of it (and therefore safe during the 6 uninsured days) or you will have an accident and be shipped home thereby avoiding the 6 days altogether.

breadmonkey

Come on lads, I can't just hole myself up in Ho Chi Minh for 6 days, anything could happen!

Frank Grimes

It's a possibility that there are no seats on the flights, my friend just booked a flight to Bangkok and he was told there was limited availability on all airlines this month and next month headed to SE Asia in general because it's peak season.
There's a Malaysian Airlines office in HCMC (edit: wrong city! There's one in BKK and Phuket too), go in there if you can and ask them to check the dates. Or else just phone again if you think the person misunderstood you. If they are booked out there's little Trailfinders can do.
If you're that worried about not being insured (and you can't extend or get more insurance) you could just cancel the flight and buy a one way ticket home from HCMC.
HCMC isn't too bad anyway, just don't cross the road too much and you'll have no problem.

BuffyBot

I'd recommend seeing what the email says, and then if no joy there, do as Frank Grimes says and make a trip to the Malaysian ticket desk. You might have more luck face to face!

SkepticOne

breadmonkey wrote:

Come on lads, I can't just hole myself up in Ho Chi Minh for 6 days, anything could happen!

Good luck with changing the flight. If you can't I would not worry too much. The only thing I would advise is cut down on booze. All minor accidents can be treated locally. A bit of cash goes along way. Violent crime is much less prevalent in Asian cities.

I don't think holing up in your room is necessary. Walk around. Visit the museums. Go on trips outside Ho Chi Minh.

Obviously there is a risk involved with some adventure activities. You also hear of people having accidents on motorbikes and such.

If you are just walking around an Asian city the chances of being injured in such a way that it involves an air ambulace are pretty remote. If you are worried perhaps use taxis and busses rather than the backs of motorbikes (or rickshaws, tuk tuks or whatever for transport.

breadmonkey

I forgot to mention that I amn't actually covered for any of the holiday since my flights are 66 days apart. I have no travel insurance at the moment AFAIK. I have health insurance up to E65,000.

mikedragon32

If you're a member of VHI, just call them and pay for multi-trip annual insurance with your credit card.

I've never been asked if I'm acutally abroad when renewing it, so see no reason why they'd ask when you're arranging it initially.

killbillvol2

breadmonkey wrote:

I forgot to mention that I amn't actually covered for any of the holiday since my flights are 66 days apart. I have no travel insurance at the moment AFAIK. I have health insurance up to E65,000.

You're right. You're not covered for any of the holiday I reckon as you're over the 60 day limit. There's not a lot you can do about it either as I've never seen any multi-trip policy that covers trips of over 60 days. Only possibility would be to get specific cover for this trip but that might be difficult as you're already away.

vibe666

did you book the flights on a creidt card? sometimes they have insurance on them if you pay with the card.

either that or look online for a cheap deal and just don't mention it when you sign up and see what happens.

Crash

what someone said about VHI, i agree. get someone at home to do it. I didnt have a problem getting it when i was abroad last time.

breadmonkey

&#231 wrote: »

what someone said about VHI, i agree. get someone at home to do it. I didnt have a problem getting it when i was abroad last time.

I have (had) VHI multi trip but they don;t insure anyone for over 60 days. I rang before I left to enquire about an extension but no joy. There are policies for over 90 days, but as I said, I can't get one now that I;m out of the country.

Dont be at yourself

Play the odds, dont worry about insurance!