How to get an extension for your expiring travel voucher

/

It’s been a year since the emergence of COVID changed how we all live, work, and go to school. Many of us who love to travel had to scramble to cancel trips, hoping they would only be delayed temporarily. But now, a year later, many people are holding travel vouchers that are soon to expire and wondering what to do with them. Woodlyn Travel’s Melissa Wu recently spoke to Kristine Lazar of CBS2 in Los Angeles about her family’s situation and how they were able to extend their vouchers for use at a later time. If you have vouchers and don’t think you’ll use them before they expire, here are some suggestions to help improve your chances for an extension.

  1. Work with a travel advisor - If you are working with a travel advisor, start with them. They are your advocate and ally – they want you to travel as much as you do! They can leverage their relationships with hotel partners and know the right people to contact to get your extension approved!

  2. Be prepared - Read the fine print – Does the voucher need to be used by a certain date or do you need to book by a certain date? You may have more time than you realize!

  3. Request early - Put in your request for an extension well before the expiration date. If the voucher expires in June 2021, start the conversation for an extension NOW. And if the voucher has already expired, don’t lose hope: you may still get an extension, and it never hurts to ask.

  4. Have a reason - Be sure to have a specific reason for not using your voucher within the normal time frame. Is it because you won’t have the time off from work? Concerned about traveling or waiting for the vaccine? School schedules conflict? Think through your case ahead of time so you can make a strong argument.

  5. What is your goal? - Are you hoping for another year extension? Do you want a refund? Keep your end goal in mind when approaching your request for an extension.

  6. Are you flexible? - Consider how flexible you might be. Travel partners want you to travel. If they are not able to accommodate your request, what can they offer you instead? If the hotel has multiple locations will a transfer to a different property work for you?

  7. Be kind – The travel industry has been hit hard by COVID and many destinations have struggled to stay afloat. The people answering your calls or emails want your business but may be overwhelmed with requests. Be patient and express how excited you are to visit or use the voucher. A little bit of understanding and sympathy for their situation can go a long way!

  8. Last but not least: document, document, document. If somebody approves your voucher extension, make sure you have that approval in writing. If it is over the phone, ask for the name of the person who is granting the extension and keep a record of it.

Extending your travel vouchers is a great way to kickstart your post-pandemic travel plans. So don’t hesitate to pursue an extension, and above all, talk to your travel advisor! They have experience and connections that can make sure your valuable travel vouchers don’t go to waste!

Dreaming of England

/

As I’ve posted recently, it’s a great time to start planning 2021 travel. There are tons of deals out there, especially on airfare. In fact, I just booked a client two round-trip, business-class tickets on Delta to London, plus 10 days of a rental car for $2700. If you’re looking to book flights to Europe it’s a great time to do it, and it reminded me of a trip my special travel correspondent Andrew took to the UK pre-pandemic. Lots of American tourists never make it out of London, but he spent time in Bristol, a culturally vibrant city in Southwest England. I asked Andrew to give us some highlights of his trip:

The Royal Standard of England

http://www.rsoe.co.uk/

I flew into London, and my first stop on the way to Bristol was the Royal Standard of England, a historic pub in the village of Beaconsfield. It’s billed as the oldest pub in England, and with your first glimpse of the stone walls, low ceilings, and traditional décor you’ll understand why. The food is traditional pub faire- try the whitebait (fries with eyes) or beef & ale pie. There are plenty of beers and ciders to sample, but the atmosphere is really what you’re there for, and it definitely delivers. There’s even a large outdoor seating area if the weather cooperates, which, hey, it’s England so maybe don’t count on it. The pub’s a bit out of the way, but this does prevent it from being overrun by tourists. If the traditional pub experience is what you’re looking for, and you’re up for a bit of an adventure, this is the place to go.

Walking Tour: Clifton Suspension Bridge & Ashton Court Estate

https://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/en/museums-parks-sports-culture/ashton-court-estate

Bristol is very manageable on foot, and I always like to get my bearings when I arrive in a new place, so one of my first stops was the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s one of Bristol’s most prominent landmarks, spanning the Avon Gorge west of the city. Built in 1864, it offers a dramatic view of the city and the Avon River as it flows to the Atlantic. Crossing the bridge to the west leads to the gates to the Ashton Court Estate, which has history dating back to the William the Conqueror and is now owned by the City of Bristol. The estate is home to miles of walking and riding paths, a disc golf course, a deer park (yes, that’s a herd of deer living in a park), some very spooky woods, and Ashton Court Manor, which now houses a restaurant and event spaces. If you start at the bridge it’s a fairly easy 1-2 hr downhill walk through the estate to the parking lot at the manor, where you can keep walking or hop a bus back into the city center. The bridge is worth the trip for the view, and if it’s a nice day and you’ve got the time, the estate is good for a taste of old English manor life.

Playground Coffee House

https://playgroundbristol.co.uk/

Bristol is a university town, and there’s no shortage of pubs, lounges, and other hangouts. But my favorite hidden gem is the Playground Coffee House, which serves double duty as a coffee shop by day and cocktail lounge by night. (Although you can feel free to mix those up as required.) It’s a cozy, comfortable spot with board games, swings, a huge tea selection, and a treacherous staircase leading to the bathroom. The drinks, whether they’re of the caffeinated or alcoholic variety, are strong and lovingly made.

Mission Pizza

http://www.missionpizza.co.uk/
http://www.lefthandedgiant.com/

This one’s a bit of a moving target at the moment, but if you can find them, Mission Pizza is some of the best pizza I’ve had on either side of the Atlantic. When I visited they were set up in a tent outside a brewery at the end of a long, dark alley. They make a half-dozen artisan, wood-fired pizzas, including vegetarian varieties, and every one I tried was great. They’ve now set up what are hopefully permanent digs in the Left Handed Giant Brewpub, in a cool neighborhood along the water, so once dining in is available again this will be a great alternative to the “traditional” English experience. Because who needs tradition when you’ve got beer and pizza, right?

The Farm

https://www.facebook.com/thefarmpub/
http://www.swcityfarm.co.uk/

Located on the north side of Bristol, The Farm is a casual, family-friendly pub and restaurant that sits just down the street from St. Werburgh’s City Farm, a small farm with goats, sheep, and other animals that’s open to visitors. The pub has lots of outdoor seating and a relaxed vibe, so on a nice afternoon it’s easy to spend a couple hours there. Hit it on a Sunday to order a traditional Sunday Roast, which involves a whole lot of meat and potatoes and is guaranteed to pound your hangover into submission. If you have kids, or just need a break from the city, a walk through the City Farm and then a stop at the pub is a good way to unwind. Don’t confuse the Farm Pub with the Farm Café, which sits right next to it.

Other nearby suggestions:

The historic town of Bath, famous for its ancient Roman spas, is just a 20-minute train ride from Bristol. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is an ideal base for your explorations there, featuring stunning gardens and luxurious accommodations.

If you’re looking to stop over in London for a few days (and why wouldn’t you?), you can’t go wrong staying at The Savoy. It’s one of London’s most celebrated hotels, famous for is extraordinary amenities and décor.

And remember, when you book any of these hotels with Woodlyn Travel, you get amenities like a room upgrade, daily breakfast, food & beverage credit, and more!

Whether you want to explore Bristol like Andrew did or check out another spot in the UK, contact me and we’ll put together the right itinerary for you. Let’s talk!

About Andrew
Andrew is a freelance writer, producer, and marketing consultant. An Emmy nominated producer, he has written or produced material for ESPN, HGTV, NBC, and independent films. He can be reached at afirchau@gmail.com.