March in Massachusetts can be brutal, so Roger Patskanick decided to escape the cold and booked a trip to St. Thomas with his granddaughter. He made flight arrangements through the Timbuktu Travel Agency in Orleans.
"I wound up paying the travel agent $1,750 for the airfare for myself and my granddaughter," said Patskanick. "Everything's set, and the next thing I know, is all those hurricanes hit down there."
Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the Caribbean and he saw the devastation on the news.
"I stopped in after that and I said, 'Listen, it doesn't look good down there,' and said I don't think I'm going to go," said Patskanick. "The first thing the travel agent said to me is, 'You can't get your money back from the airlines.'"
Roger didn't know whether his ticket was refundable or carried travel insurance, because he didn't book it himself. But, upset about losing his money, he called the airline directly. He says an agent told him that he would have to appear at the airport ticket counter on the day of the scheduled flight to get a refund.
"I didn't have to be at the counter to buy my ticket. Why should I have to be there to get my money back?" asked Patskanick.
Frustrated, he contacted NBC Boston Responds. We reached out to Timbuktu Travel and they immediately informed him that they would refund his money. Timbuktu tells us they can't discuss clients' travel arrangements.
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Patskanick has decided to stay put this winter, but is happy to have his $1,750 back.
"Two hours after I made the initial phone call, I got the phone call from the travel agency saying the check was in the mail. Can't get any faster than that," said Patskanick. "Magnificent!"
You may want to consider researching travel insurance policies when booking a trip. And if you do have a vacation scheduled to the Caribbean, keep in mind that while airports have reopened, many beaches and resorts remain closed. Some resorts have limited availability, because they are housing relief workers. Three of the largest hotels on St. Thomas and St. John are expected to be closed for hurricane repairs until 2019.
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