Cancellation "Protection" for Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours is a Bunch of Horse Hockey
(Unless you're traveling on some SUPER obscure airlines or from a place that requires a BAZILLION connections!)
There's a lot of talk about Grand Canyon Helicopters' new (as of 1Q 24) cancellation protection product. I guess the rule of thumb is to no longer fly by the seat of your pants when companies are trying to optimize every inch of their business for profit. We also live in the post-COVID era, which was riddled with uncertainty regarding travel and health regulations. I get it and understand why travelers want to be overly protective with their travel investment. However, I also think some things can be taken too far.
Cash or Credit?
The cancellation protection product is optional. It allows you to cancel your tour 72 hours prior to flight time for a full refund to your credit card or a travel credit of equal value. The real value is getting your refund back to the credit card. Credits are a great second option, but they assume that you'll be back in Las Vegas or the South Rim for another shot at greatness. Me, I'd take the cash
The policy costs 10 percent of the booking price. It's per group, not per person. It gets hefty if you're booking one of the more expensive tours like the 4-1 package (top, bottom, boat, and Skywalk), which costs about $869 per person at the time of this post. The average group size is three, and you'd pay $260 total for cancel protection. Or the Grand Celebration Sunset tour, which costs $669 per person. If the group size is three, you'd pay $200.
That's a big chunk of change. I think it might be worth it if you think your plans have a 50% chance of falling apart. This scenario is likely if you're booking on a budget or sketchy airline or flying from some vague archipelago to Las Vegas that requires multiple connecting flights. Understand that you'll be refunded the tour cost, not the insurance cost. Ouch! I agree: it's best to get the lion's share of your money back. Just be prepared to eat the insurance fee.
Domestic air travel, trains, cars, motorcycles, buses, and the like (ground transportation) aren't prone to the kind of delays that typically force a cancellation. In this case, I'd stick with the cancel terms that are included in the booking, which state if you cancel within 48 hours of flight time, you get a full refund or travel credit. You will get pushback and have to explain yourself. Don't blame the cancellation on your late-night stag party at Tao or unheard hotel wake-up calls. It won't work. In fact, stay away from same-day cancellations. They're too hard of a fight. Try blaming a flat tire, food poisoning (requires proof), or some other act of God. You'll have to jump through some hoops, but it will work and you'll pocket the refund.
The best defense is don't cancel. Helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon are incredible and worth every red-hot cent. Vegas travelers should do the tours that take you to the bottom of the Canyon as it can only be done from LV. South Rim folks should go all-in on the 50-minute helicopter tour (most bang for the buck). Please note that helicopters can't fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim. It's too far. Take the direct airplane tour. It starts with a plane to the SR and a transfer to an ECO-STAR 130 helicopter that flies over the deepest, widest section of the National Park.
Got a Crystal Ball?
Experienced travelers know that any trip is inherently one big Murphy's Law. Incidents that have low odds happen. Most of the things that can kneecap a trip happen before you depart or are en route. It's easy street once you're here. Decide to opt in or out of protection based on that and you're probably making a great call. Life is full of risks. It's a matter of how you decide to hedge against them.
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