- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015-2023 walked all or part of CF 11 times
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Hi, @Marbe2, you are an experienced forum member so you probably already know this, but for other forum members — the fact that booking.com and other hotel booking sites show no availability is no indication of whether the facility actually has availability. Those websites only have access to a fraction of the hotel/pension’s beds. Direct contact with the places is the best way to go, either via WhatsApp, email, or even a phone call.
I believe @Anniesantiago has started booking some places for her groups and reported that a lot of places are asking for a deposit. Totally reasonable, but that may also mean that lots are not using booking.
@Marbe2, out of curiosity, do you usually/sometimes/never find that the availability varies across the booking websites? By that I mean if a hotel shows no availability on booking, does it happen that agoda or hotels might have rooms?I used three booking sites, Hotels.com, Agoda.com, and booking.com as well as the direct hotel itself.
Yes, on booking.com. I wanted one place that no longer had availability, but it was still showing availabilty on Hotels.com. This often happens. But sometimes it depends upon the parameters of the website. I requested a twin bedroom. Booking did not have availability for a twin, but showed no other options. Then on Hotels.com, four twin beds were available in a room (for the same price as two) for the same night at the same hotel, so I booked it, knowing if a twin eventually opens up I will change it.@Marbe2, out of curiosity, do you usually/sometimes/never find that the availability varies across the booking websites? By that I mean if a hotel shows no availability on booking, does it happen that agoda or hotels might have rooms?
And are you finding with your direct calls that pensiones and hotels are filled, or is it that they are not yet taking reservations? I know some may say this is jumping the gun, but for those of us itching to get back on the camino, you know what they say about the early bird!
Did you book airfare, and if so, what did you do for health insurance?I pre booked my entire Camino for 2021. My husband and I are starting on June 26th so I know it will be busy as hell at that time. I used Expedia, Booking and emailing directly and I have to say that some places I wanted to book were sold out. I was charged the entire amount due when booking online but can cancel for free a few days before arriving so seems like a good deal to me.
But if you become ill or have an accident before you travel you will lose all your non-refundable costs. Travel insurance would cover that and quite a few other things.Yes my airfare is booked. I didn’t purchase travel insurance as my private health insurance entirely covers overseas hospital stays, not doctor visits unfortunately but I can live with that.
My airfare (Tap and Iberia) can be cancelled or changed for free as they had a special going on when I booked that allows me to make one change/cancellation free of charge. Well, I’m sure they won’t be giving me back the money but at least I will be able to get credit that I can use in the future. Which is fine with me as I paid $380 from Nyc to Pamplona compared to $1,200 a few years ago. Since it’s such a huge difference in cost I’m willing to take that gambleBut if you become ill or have an accident before you travel you will lose all your non-refundable costs. Travel insurance would cover that and quite a few other things.
Great fare!My airfare (Tap and Iberia) can be cancelled or changed for free as they had a special going on when I booked that allows me to make one change/cancellation free of charge. Well, I’m sure they won’t be giving me back the money but at least I will be able to get credit that I can use in the future. Which is fine with me as I paid $380 from Nyc to Pamplona compared to $1,200 a few years ago. Since it’s such a huge difference in cost I’m willing to take that gamble.
Anyone know of a reputable company for someone her age?
Good luck!If we are able to return to the Camino next year we're going to try and book directly with the accommodation providers. They've all had a tough year and that saving of 15% commission they pay booking.com etc.. may help them in these tough times.
There are many threads here from years ago, when many of us were agonizing over how to read the policy fine print. See here. And a word of caution about reading the fine print
After lots of help from friends and forum members, I decided a few years ago that the annual international United Healthcare was the best for me. Their policy iincludes the important coverage for extreme emergencies, like medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. I do not include coverage for flight delays and cancellations, because my main concern is that my medicare advantage plan doe not cover any overseas costs.
I spoke to United Healthcare early in the pandemic and learned that my policy would cover my medical expenses if I contracted covid abroad. The exclusions that many people were talking about for international pandemics (again many forum threads on this) did not apply to my medical policy. The customer service person informed me that for UHC, at least, the pandemic exclusion related to coverage for international travel not medical treatment.
I haven’t done any research since I first started buying that policy, but I hope to have occasion to buy another one soon!
We usually only make two trips a year.
I wanted to do the same thing and contacted every single lodging directly though always through email as I like to have some type of proof of speaking to someone. I was surprised to see that most of them don’t respond and I sent more than one email to make sure it was received...I pre booked my entire Camino from SJPDP to Muxia and I think only 8-10 nights I was able to book directlyIf we are able to return to the Camino next year we're going to try and book directly with the accommodation providers. They've all had a tough year and that saving of 15% commission they pay booking.com etc.. may help them in these tough times.
I wanted to do the same thing and contacted every single lodging directly though always through email as I like to have some type of proof of speaking to someone. I was surprised to see that most of them don’t respond and I sent more than one email to make sure it was received...I pre booked my entire Camino from SJPDP to Muxia and I think only 8-10 nights I was able to book directly.
However, only 24% of Spaniards say that they will take the vaccination right away.News on the vaccine in Spain...predicting mid-year 2021.
However, only 24% of Spaniards say that they will take the vaccination right away. Hopefully, that attitude will change as more information about the vaccines comes out.
Just 24% of Spaniards would get Covid vaccine as soon as possible
According to a survey carried out by 40dB for EL PAÍS, four in every 10 people in Spain believe there is a conspiracy behind the vaccinationsenglish.elpais.com
How does one find out if a lodging uses WhatsApp?Direct contact with the places is the best way to go, either via WhatsApp, email, or even a phone call.
NOTE FROM THE MODS — I made an off-topic comment in response to one of @Marbe’s posts in another thread. She responded with such helpful information that I thought it would be a good idea to move it and start a separate thread. We know that some of you think it’s premature to make reservations, but @Marbe2 and others are thinking positively and forging ahead.
Actually, I used three booking sites, Hotels.com, Agoda.com, and booking.com as well as the direct hotel itself. Some days none of these websites had availability, and other dates there were. Places I tend to stay in Ponferrada and Sarria are fully occupied most days I tried. I know there are many that like to walk spontaneously, but if someone wants a private room, this year, in September, as added protection, then booking ahead might be advisable. If booking a single room, the cancellation process is pretty much the same. No deposit required now. Canceling in advance with no charge on my reservations required from one night to about a week before the actual reservation date.
Start a new contact. Put in the phone number (with country code) and the phone will tell you whether they have a WhatsApp account. I always put the number in first, so I know whether there is an account before I type in the name, etc.How does one find out if a lodging uses WhatsApp?
I hope the Variante is not as hot for you as it was for me in September 2019!!Hi everyone!
I have had all my accommodation from Porto to Pontevedra booked since the 7th Sept i fly on the 17th Sept 2021!
I intend to do the Variente Espiritual and hopefully do the boat!
From Pontevedra i have accommodation booked for Vilanuava de Arosa and Padron;but between Pontevedra to Vilanuava de Arosa i think i might have to wing it at the moment!
Woody
Gosh what kind of work do you do? I didn't know anybody got travel insurance benefits through work!A friend and I have already pre-booked private rooms for next year, with the exception of 2 places that we have not yet been able to contact (emails have not been answered). Most bookings were done through booking.com with free cancellation anywhere from the same day to about one week prior. For those places that were not available through booking.com (either they do not use booking sites, or booking.com showed no availability), I emailed / phoned to make reservations. Being that we are from Canada and the U.S., we will not be making any flight reservations until much later in spring when we know more about the COVID situation. If the decision is made to go, I will certainly be looking into getting travel insurance if it is available. My current travel insurance is through my employer, but at this time it has been terminated due to COVID, and would not be valid anyway as long as there is a government travel advisory.
We're hoping to be able to begin our journey at the end of August.
Many companies in the USA provide health care to their employees. Some of health plans will reimburse for out of country medical interventions. It depends on their plan.Gosh what kind of work do you do? I didn't know anybody got travel insurance benefits through work!
But that's not exactly the same as having travel insurance which will reimburse you if you can't travel due to your own or a close family member's illness, pay for early flights home if necessary, pay for hotel stays for a partner while your are hospitalized, etc.Many companies in the USA provide health care to their employees. Some of health plans will reimburse for out of country medical interventions. It depends on their plan.
Last year I needed x-ray and stitches while on the Camino. My health insurance from home paid most of it, and my travel insurance covered the remainder, which was more than the insurance premium I had paid.No, in USA it is health insurance provided by the employer.... Not trip interruption, or baggage reimbursement, etc. I can not say that there is no company that couldn’t provide it, but usually (not all companies), it is health insurance that covers one overseas at reimbursement rates for what is customary and reasonable for the procedures received.
It can vary from company to company, and in some companies there are .... even more comprehensive... plans available to those up the food chain. In my own case, my union negotiated a plan for retirees which provides for some of the costs mentioned above.But that's not exactly the same as having travel insurance which will reimburse you if you can't travel due to your own or a close family member's illness, pay for early flights home if necessary, pay for hotel stays for a partner while your are hospitalized, etc.
Ah, now I see. My definition of travel insurance is different (trip reimbursement, lost luggage, ect.). Sounds like you mean health coverage when traveling. Fortunate!Many companies in the USA provide health care to their employees. Some of health plans will reimburse for out of country medical interventions. It depends on their plan.
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