Covid-19 Travel Q + A
We’ve all been staying safe and exploring from home, but as information about cities + states reopening fills the news, you may have some questions about traveling with Pack Up + Go.
Our Team is here to answer your questions and help you plan a trip that is safe and right for you.
Keep in mind, that each state has unique reopening policies + phases, and many businesses are choosing to remain closed for the time being. For more information on how states are reopening, please check out this resource.
Additionally, the CDC currently recommends avoiding discretionary travel if possible, as travel increases the risk of spreading and contracting COVID-19.
Written by The Pack Up + Go Team
Are you offering travel right now?
We are still accepting orders for our getaways. It is tough to know when things will be safe and when our destination cities will be operating in a totally open capacity, but our Travel Team is saying on top of city + state changes. If you do choose to travel, please keep in mind that your trip may be impacted by COVID-19. We are closely following the situation, but cannot foresee every closure and disruption in our destination cities. For more information on what is open in each state, please see this resource from the New York Times.
If you would like to avoid a Plane Trip, you can still sign up for adventure! Pack Up + Go offers Staycation, Surprise Road Trip, and Pack Up + Go Outdoors options where you can travel in your own personal vehicle.
If you choose a Plane Trip, flight routes around the country have been impacted and we may have a hard time securing direct flights. Additionally, if you plan to travel, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance with “cancel for any reason” coverage.
To work with the shifting timeline, we're giving all travelers who already have a trip booked, the option to postpone or change dates without penalty before their details are finalized!
How is Pack Up + Go adapting to planning vacations during COVID-19?
Our team is keeping up with the latest updates, precautions, and travel recommendations, as well as being as open and flexible as possible with all our travelers! The destinations we select are both safe and aligned with travel preferences that you tell us on the pre-trip survey.
Since we know that things can change at a moment's notice, maintaining an open line of communication is paramount. Prior to finalizing any travel reservations, we will reach out to ensure that you still feel safe traveling and offer the flexibility to change your travel dates at no extra charge. Once the travel reservations have been finalized, we will keep you up to date should any changes arise in your destination to ensure you are still comfortable with your plans.
During the vacation, our Customer Experience Team is available 24/7 to communicate any necessary updates that may impact your trip and are readily available to assist with any traveler needs.
I’ve already booked a trip, what are my options for adjusting my trip due to COVID-19?
We are able to put your trip on hold or move the trip to a different set of dates.
If your travel details have been finalized, we will work with airlines and hotels to secure as many refunds as possible on your behalf. We are optimistic that we can work with providers to make necessary changes to your plans, but we are not able to guarantee a full refund.
If you do not have another time when you are able to travel in mind, that's not a problem. We can hold on to your travel budget and pre-trip survey indefinitely.
When things settle down, you can give us new travel dates and we can rebook your trip, we just ask for a 4-weeks notice to get you back on the schedule.
Our hope is that knowing you still have a trip with us will give you something to look forward to, as well as helping our business stay afloat while the travel industry has come to halt.
Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to make this a swift and straightforward process no matter what you decide!
You can keep your trip as currently scheduled.
Please let us know and we'll be happy to talk through options, such as preferred activities and any other personal preferences, with you.
You can cancel your trip.
If your travel details have been finalized, we will work with airlines and hotels to secure as many refunds as possible on your behalf, less a $75 Pack Up + Go cancellation fee. We are hopeful that we can work with providers to make necessary changes to your plans, but we are not able to guarantee a full refund. Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to make this a swift and straightforward process no matter what you decide.
If you decide that you would prefer to postpone or cancel your trip, please let us know as soon as possible.
Where can I travel to right now?
Guidance on domestic travel is changing almost daily. For the most up to date information for what is open in each state and what their mandatory quarantines for visitors are, please refer to this US travel restrictions page from CNN.
For the latest information on cases and travel best practices, please refer to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker and COVID Travel Page.
Can I know my destination ahead of time?
If we let you know the surprise, we’d ruin all the fun! However, if you would like to let our Team know of any additional destinations to which you would not like to travel, please contact us as soon as possible and at least 4 - 6 weeks prior to your departure date. Once your trip details have been finalized, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to change your destination without incurring additional costs. Our team is committed to working with accommodations that prioritize the health and safety of all guests, and are doing everything we can to ensure a great trip.
How do you select lodging and accommodations for my trip?
All of our Hotel and Bed + Breakfast partners have comprehensive COVID-19 safety measures (e.g., contactless check-in/out, check-in/out with a dividing partition, enhanced cleaning, capacity restrictions, mask mandates, in-room dining options).
You can read more about the COVID-19 safety practices in Pack Up + Go Vacation lodging here.
Does Pack Up + Go offer camping, outdoor, or “cabin-in-the-woods” travel?
Yes! We are excited to share our newest trip offering - Pack Up + Go Outdoors! These Road Trips will allow you to explore the great outdoors from the comfort of your own vehicle or from a rental car (which we will coordinate on your behalf). Pack Up + Go Outdoors trips are geared towards all things outdoors and come with nature-focused itineraries and recommendations. These trips are perfect for those who want to travel but still maintain social distance from others! On your pre-trip survey, you will indicate what type of accommodations suit you best including; Glamping-style tents/yurts, cabins, bed & breakfasts, or unique inns.
Do you offer AirBNB or VRBO?
These accommodations are individually owned + managed properties and we cannot confirm the cleanliness standards of these options. As a result, we are not currently booking with these organizations. Our travelers’ health and safety are our primary concerns as we plan your surprise getaway. For more information on the sanitization standards many of our accommodation partners are implementing, please click here: https://www.ahla.com/safestay
If you do choose to travel with Pack Up + Go over the next several months, please remember that communication is key and our team is here to help you in any way possible.
We are currently increasing our correspondences with travelers to ensure that no details slip through the cracks.