No matter how excited you are for a trip, sometimes life gets in the way. You might come down with a stomach bug or the flu, develop an allergic reaction, or simply feel too under the weather to fly. If you’re not sure whether to take your upcoming flight, it’s easy to feel stuck in limbo, wondering what to do next. Consider this your step-by-step guide on deciding whether to stay put—and how to navigate the refund process if you do need to miss your flight.
Step 1: Take stock of how you’re really feeling.
You know the difference between a mild head cold and a severe case of the flu, so get real about just how sick you are. If you’re too ill to go to work, it’s probably not a smart idea to fly. Not only is that a clear sign your body needs time to recover, but that you might also get others sick if you forge ahead.
Looking for advice that’s a little more specific? You should probably bag a trip if you have a fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and symptoms such as coughing or sneezing, says William Schaffner, MD, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Coughing and sneezing give exhalations more energy, which means you’re more likely to spread germs or viruses over a larger distance than if you simply had the sniffles,” he explains.
If you absolutely must fly, you should at least test yourself for COVID-19 to ensure you don’t expose others. Ideally, though, you should see a doctor to make sure whatever you have isn’t contagious. And masking up is always a good idea to avoid spreading the germs that are plaguing you.
Rashes and skin conditions that suddenly crop up should give you pause, as some of them are contagious. For instance, shingles—an illness caused by the same virus that triggers chickenpox—can spread to others when its telltale rash first makes an appearance. “When fluid is draining from the bumps, that fluid is chock-full of virus,” says Ankush Bansal, MD, an internal medicine physician and hospitalist in South Florida. “So if the pustules haven’t crusted over like a scab, you are contagious.” If you’re not sure what’s going on with your skin, Dr. Bansal suggests seeing a healthcare provider. “A lot of rashes look similar, and yours may be contagious or not. A doctor can figure it out,” he says.
Additionally, the CDC warns against flying if you’ve recently had surgery, a heart attack, or a stroke—these can increase your risk of blood clots and heart-related issues. In any of these instances, you have a plausible reason to plead your case for a travel refund.
Step 2: Know the rules.
Today in the U.S. airlines essentially across the board (minus some low-cost carriers) have permanently gotten rid of change fees for tickets beyond the basic economy level, says Scott Keyes, founder of the flight-deal app Going. This means that, usually, if you booked a main cabin fare or higher, you can change your travel dates later and only pay for any fare differences—at least on flights that originate in the U.S. (This can be hit or miss with flights originating abroad.) Though rebooking for another time isn’t the same as a refund, it is often an option if you’re too sick to fly right now.
It’s also worth noting some key policy updates in the world of flying and flexibility. For instance, United now lets passengers who booked in basic economy to upgrade to main economy, something that wasn’t always allowed, thereby giving them the option to switch a flight without paying a penalty. “It’s a little convoluted,” says Keyes. “But it’s one way that folks will be able to have flexibility if they are not able to travel for some reason.”
