In partnership with
Rentless
Adventure outside the ordinary
What happens when one of the most trusted specialty outdoor retailers, REI Co-op, teams up with the world's largest travel company, Intrepid Travel? You get a unique collection of active trips that offer meaningful, immersive travel experiences in the outdoors.
It’s travel inspired by REI, operated by Intrepid. Think community farm stays in Costa Rica, camping in Joshua Tree’s wild backcountry, cycling in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or sleeping in mountain huts before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.
REI Co-op members save 15% on REI Exclusive trips and receive a 20% off coupon to use at REI Co-op after booking REI Recommended trips.
For T&Cs and to view the full collection of trips in 85+ destinations, visit rei.com/travel.
Hi 👋🏻
I do not know whether you have ever been fooled by a cancellation policy or not, but it has happened to me twice.
People in the tourism sector try their best to manipulate you if you do not know much about how it works. Let me help you understand this today.
It also shapes how we spend money before and during a trip.
Flexible bookings
When we get a stay which offer us free cancellation, we book it quickly. Because we get the option to change it later if needed.
Because of this, we stop comparing properly. We choose slightly expensive places. Later, even if we find a better option, we often keep the old one because of the comfort zone.
Refunds
When we cancel a booking, the money does not come back instantly. Sometimes it takes many days.
During that time, our money is stuck. We either reduce options or pay more somewhere else because the cash is not available.
Cheap non-refundable stays
Once we book our stay, we adjust our travel around the stay instead of choosing what is best. We change travel time, transport, or activities just to avoid losing the booking amount.
The stay starts controlling the trip.
Partial refunds still mean loss
Some stays return only part of the money. Service fees or one-night charges are not refunded.
Even after cancelling, some money is gone. We do not count it as travel cost, but it is. These small amounts actually become huge after a certain time.
How to handle this better
Use free cancellation only when your plan is not fixed.
Choose non-refundable stays only when your dates and routes are very clear.
Always check how long refunds take and what fees are not returned. Count lost fees as an expense.
Thank you!
Cancellation policies shape how we spend money.
When you understand them, you make better decisions and keep your travel budget under control.
I’ll see you on Saturday. Till then, keep travelling, keep enjoying your life.
See ya!
