Covered by using credit card

I did a feature article about my cruise on Elegant Cruises’ Monet (March ’03, pg. 22), so I was sad to read in the subscriber’s letter that the company is in such bad shape (“Awaiting Refund for Canceled Cruise,” May ’10, pg. 24).

This just further strengthens my resolution to not book with any company that does not accept deposits and payments by credit card. Before even booking a trip, that is the first thing I ask about. By paying by credit card, at least the credit card issuer will protect your payments and credit you for a company’s noncompliance.

Since there is a time limit on how long you can wait to file a claim to dispute a charge — and many travelers book tours, cruises and flights many months in advance — I called Chase, the bank where I have my United Mileage Plus Visa credit card, and asked about that.

I was transferred to many departments until I got the right one, the Dispute Department. I was told that the cancellation of a trip already paid for would be considered a “service not rendered” and that the credit card company would go not by the date of purchase but by the date the service was supposed to be provided.

In other words, with Chase Bank at least, once the cruise date passes and there is no cruise to take because the company is bankrupt, the traveler still could dispute the charge and full credit may be arranged.

DEANNA PALIĆ

Contributing Editor