I booked a trip to Mexico for the 1st week of June two weeks ago.  I had decided on Mexico because of the the great deals being offered.  Mexico had been getting a great deal of bad press from drug related violence.  Given that I’m neither a drug dealer or violent, I thought it was great opportunity to take advantage of the negative press.   I like to “buy low.”

Two weeks later, all that violence is long forgotten.  Now, Mexico is at the epicenter of the swine flu pandemic (or atleast media pandemic).   And to think I thought I got a great deal two weeks ago?   Today I can pay $1800 for the same trip (all inclusive for two) that cost me $2600 two weeks ago.   Given the huge price difference, I decided it was in my best interest to cancel my trip.  

I’m not particularly concerned about the swine flu, but my girlfriend is.   I had also heard the airlines were waiving cancellation fees.  I called Expedia, and canceled as much as I could.  I was able to cancel my hotel reservation worth $2000.   I didn’t cancel my airline reservation as I learned that Delta had only waived fees for flights in the next 5 days.  I was not planning to travel for another month.   Canceling my Hotel early was the right thing to do as I could incur a cancellation charge the more I waited.  Given that the airline had not decided to waive cancellation fees for flights in June, I had no reason to cancel my flight now.   I have a free option to wait and see if Delta decides to extend the waivers.

Even if I were to absorb the complete cost of my flights, I could still book the same trip right now and save $200.   The more probable outcome is that I don’t get a waiver on the change flight fee, and end up with a $600 credit - $300 flight change fee = $300 credit on Delta.    But more importantly I have the option of waiting and seeing if things getter better in Mexico, or booking another trip.   The swine flu could dissappear and I could end up with a even better deal in two weeks…