Is United giving REFUNDS…as in you get the money back…on non-refundable tickets? I had to cancel flights earlier this year and the funds are on deposit in my account. They must be used by 12/31/22. I’m wondering if I could get an actual refund from United at this point.
Chicago still requires masks on public transit, and aside from what appeared to be transient people riding the trains, everyone was wearing masks this week while I was in Chicago.
As I mentioned last night, it was a bit surprising to me to note last night at the airport that many elderly people were unmasked. Maybe they already had covid or have trouble breathing, or they just no longer care. My mom was planning a trip to see her siblings which meant flying and she was concerned about flying even with the mask mandate. No sooner had I bought her ticket, seriously about three hours later, the mask mandate was lifted. She is still planning to go, but I know she will be worried.
One thing that struck me when observing those on my flight last night, the vast majority of unmasked people were middle aged. I thought it was interesting that younger people, like those in their 20s and 30s, were masking. Since their age puts them at less risk for covid complications, it made me wonder if they were motivated by concern for others around them, or if they simply did not want to get covid themselves? Regardless, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people who continued to mask up while flying. Only one flight attendant was wearing a mask and none of the flight crew were wearing them while congregated on the jetway as we deplaned.
I tried and I couldn’t. Good luck.
Per this article, some of the airlines (including United) will work with the customers re refunds for not wanting to fly unmasked. It sounds like one might need a specific medical reason, not just preference.
My S masks for travel. He doesn’t want to get sick nor get fiancée not us elders and vulnerable sick. He also has asthma and feels he is at increased risk of a bad case. I’m glad he masks with an kf94 mask that he finds comfortable enough.
Why would that surprise you? It’s CBS.
CTA reversed its mask requirement earlier this week. I am currently in Chicago but didn’t ride busses or L this time. Some are wearing masks in the city. Many aren’t. It depends on neighborhood, perhaps.
Maybe about 30% are wearing masks at Midway Airport. Flights are full but we can’t rule out bad weather and flight delays impacting that. My gate is next to a very full flight to San Diego. No one was masked as I passed by.
ETA neither of my ride share drivers wore a mask.
This is still such a divided issue and there are few good answers. I have little choice regarding a flight in early May. It is not a vacation. 5- hour flight: Too far to drive, over the mountains when still snow season. Offering a refund is worthless for me. Rebooking later won’t work in my situation. I still wish airlines would allow a mask vs non-mask section, or allow passengers to change seats if seated near others who won’t wear a mask. I’ll ask, but on a full flight, I’m guessing that’s doubtful.
N95 it is, and now fully vaccinated, but I also don’t trust the air quality on planes while boarding/deboarding, or in the airports. No one keeps 6’ apart anymore either. I took every precaution I could think of for a 2020 flight – and still caught Covid on the day of travel. There was no doubt of timing, since I quarantined 2 weeks before, and the 4 days after the flight prior to test results.
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Just flew yesterday. Would say maybe at most 20% of people were masked. Glad it was a short flight.
We just had lunch with friends whose cruise ship was in port. This is the original cruise they signed up for:
And this is what happened to it:
Wife has serious health issues; in wheelchair and eating limitations, so they decided to take the 30% off and do the cruise anyway, although of course disappointing. They picked it up in Miami (winter home in Boca). They are enjoying the food and excursions luckily. And I guess the experienced care for the wife.
They said seven of the 275 passengers recently tested positive, although no one they were in direct contact with. So we asked them to rapid test before going to lunch outdoors by the bay. They decided today, with our local assistance and transportation, would be a good opportunity to get their second booster. They were able to get afternoon appointments at our neighborhood CVS. Husband drove them over after lunch.
Some cruise stop! But their group will get a special buffet dinner outside at the Hotel Del tonight so that should be nice.
Buffet dinner? I would expect a few free nights at the hotel Del!
Ship leaves overnight on its way to Astoria Oregon.
The day before it was supposed to sail they were told of the “itinerary change” - some small change, yikes! 
Friends are on a cruise to Bermuda. It was ONLY supposed to be Bermuda. Itinerary change…part Bermuda and part Bar Harbor ME. They did NOT want to go to Bar Harbor ME now!
No refund or credit offered. Take it or leave it.
What was the explanation for the drastic change in itinerary for the world bucket list cruise?
Just back from a week in Key West. 12 hours before we were due to fly out, as we were in the middle of our seder, we got notice that our flight was cancelled. After nearly an hour on the phone trying to get rebooked we just decided to get in the car and drive. My poor seder guests all rushed to help us clean up the meal and then get out of the house so we could go. Within 2 hours we were on the road and 21 hours later, we were in KW, sort of stunned and disoriented.
The week was great, and we took a slightly more civilized approach to the drive back (included an overnight stop in South Carolina), but I am in no rush to ever drive to Florida again.
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Our flight to Hawaii was rebooked by Alaska. I was about to blow a gasket when I saw the email about “itinerary changes.” I used miles to upgrade to first class, and I thought the seats were lost. Nope, we get to arrive a couple of hours early and kept our first class seats. Alaska packed 4 flights into 3, apparently, due to staffing issues. And now their pilots are considering a strike in May. 
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Our friends didn’t say, but I see from the discussion on Cruise Critic that Asian ports of call were being cancelled throughout late December 2021. So I guess the cruise line finally gave up but didn’t want to put out the new itinerary until they had new ports locked in.
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That was months ago…didn’t you say the friends got this notice only a short time before their cruise?
Yes, but it was a 120 day world cruise leaving in January with multiple segments.