Reimbursed after having to cancel

For a tour of England and France that was to take place May 26-June 21, 2017, my wife and I purchased travel insurance with Travel Guard (800/826-1300, www.travelguard.com). We paid $428 for Travel Guard’s Gold Policy.

Four days prior to the departure of our tour with Rick Steves’ Europe (Edmonds, WA; 425/771-8303, www.ricksteves.com), my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and we had to cancel.

Regarding the tickets for our flight from Portland, Oregon, to London, with return from Geneva, all in Saga Class (business class), I called Icelandair (800/223-5500, www.icelandair.us). The agent was very understanding and took all of the information over the phone, with no paperwork required. Our airfare was fully reimbursed to our credit card account within five days.

Except for our deposit of $800, Rick Steves’ Europe reimbursed us for the cost of our tour within two weeks.

Travel Guard reimbursed our Rick Steves $800 deposit as well as the cost of unrefundable hotel and train tickets, and we had our checks within days of our filing a claim and providing documentation.

Aside from the cost of the travel insurance, we didn’t lose a dime due to our last-minute cancellation, thanks to Travel Guard, Rick Steves’ Europe and Icelandair.

We are already planning our 2018 trip after my wife completes her treatments.

THOMAS GRIFFITH 
Vancouver, WA