A Retiree’s Reflection on Today’s U.S. Stock Market. When the Dow hits 50,000, it should feel like good news—but it doesn’t for everyone. A retiree shares an honest look at why today’s booming stock market feels disconnected from everyday reality. Today I learned that the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed 50,000 points , a historic record. On the surface, this sounds like good news—something to celebrate. But honestly, instead of excitement, I felt confused . As a retiree who has watched the economy for decades, I can’t help asking: How can the stock market be so strong when so many things seem so wrong? The Questions That Won’t Go Away Here’s what keeps running through my mind: The U.S. national debt is now over $37 trillion Annual interest on that debt is approaching $1 trillion Military spending remains enormous Many cities struggle with homelessness, crime, and social disorder The world feels unstable—wars, conflicts, and rising geopolitical tension ...
When Travel Insurance Truly Matters:
Travel insurance is one of those things we tend to overlook —
until the moment we urgently need it.
And in March 2024, I experienced its true value firsthand.
A Long-Awaited Vancouver–Alaska Reunion Cruise That I Had to Cancel
My La Salle classmates and I had planned a very special trip:
our 60th Anniversary Vancouver–Alaska Reunion Cruise.
It was supposed to be a journey filled with memories, laughter,
old friendships, and the cool sea breeze.
But just before departure, something unimaginable happened:
I needed to undergo brain surgery.
Health always comes first.
So I had no choice but to cancel the entire trip —
air tickets, hotels, cruise bookings — everything.
At a time when my body needed rest and recovery,
the pressure of handling large cancellation costs would have been overwhelming.
Fortunately, one often-overlooked protection quietly stood behind me.
Credit Card Travel Insurance: Invisible in Daily Life, a Lifeline in Crisis
I knew my TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card included travel insurance,
but like most people, I never studied it carefully.
It was simply “nice to have” — until this unexpected event happened.
Only then did I truly understand its power.
At the moment I needed help the most,
the insurance covered what could have been thousands of dollars in losses.
I’m also deeply grateful to my best friend and longtime classmate,
who guided me step-by-step on how to file the claim with TD’s insurance department.
Without his reminders, I might have missed important documents.
Submitting the Claim: Much Smoother Than Expected
Travel insurance sounds complicated,
but the actual process turned out to be easier than I imagined.
For the online insurance claim, I submitted:
-
All invoices and receipts for bookings
-
Cancellation emails and proof of cancellation
-
A doctor’s letter explaining why I was unable to travel
(printed, signed, and dated) -
A summary of all payments and non-refundable expenses
After submission, TD’s claims team began reviewing everything and gave me the claim number.
To my relief, their communication was clear, the process transparent,
and everything moved along smoothly.
A few weeks later, refunds started arriving.
All prepaid and non-refundable expenses were fully reimbursed.
In that moment, I felt truly grateful.
This Experience Taught Me Three Important Lessons
1. Credit card travel insurance is not a gimmick — it’s genuinely useful.
Especially when major health issues or unexpected emergencies occur.
2. Always keep every receipt and record.
Booking confirmations, cancellation notices, medical documents — keep them all.
3. A good friend can be even more valuable than insurance.
His step-by-step reminders ensured the entire claim process went smoothly.
4. Insurance brings peace of mind during recovery.
Knowing the entire trip would be reimbursed allowed me to focus on healing
without financial stress.
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card Offers Very Complete Coverage
This card includes:
-
Trip Cancellation Insurance
-
Trip Interruption Insurance
-
Emergency Medical Insurance
-
Flight Delay & Baggage Delay Protection
Many people underestimate the value of these benefits.
But when something unexpected happens,
they significantly reduce stress and financial loss.
Final Thoughts: I Didn’t Get to Alaska, but I Gained Something Else
I couldn't sail to Alaska with my classmates in 2024,
but I gained something equally precious:
A deeper understanding of preparation,
the warmth of friendship,
and the real power of credit card travel insurance.
For anyone who enjoys traveling — whether you’re 25 or 75 —
I encourage you to spend a few minutes reviewing the travel insurance benefits
included with your credit card.
When the time comes, these protections can safeguard your journey,
your finances, and most importantly — your peace of mind.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Canadians in 2025: A Simple Guide for Everyday Travellers
Meta Description (English version)
In March 2024, I had to cancel my 60th Anniversary Vancouver–Alaska reunion cruise due to brain surgery. Thanks to the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite travel insurance, I received full reimbursement. Here I share my real claim experience, required documents, and the importance of credit card travel insurance.
Hashtags (English-friendly)
#TravelInsurance #CreditCardInsurance #TDAeroplanVisaInfinite #InsuranceClaimExperience #RealStory #CanadaLife #TripCancellation #AlaskaCruise #FriendsForLife #HealthFirst #SeniorTravel #StressFreeTravel #TravelTips #TravelProtection #ClaimSuccess
Comments
Post a Comment