Cancel for Any Reason Travel Protection: Why Encore Travelers Choose to Upgrade

Planning an international performance tour takes months of preparation, coordination, and care. Even with the best-laid plans, unexpected events can happen. A last-minute illness, a delayed visa, or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity can change everything. That is why so many Encore travelers choose to upgrade their protection plan.

Encore’s Ultimate Plus Protection Plan provides the strongest level of flexibility in the industry, allowing you to cancel for any reason up to four days before departure and receive a full cash refund (minus the cost of the plan). It is protection designed for peace of mind, giving you confidence that no matter what happens, your investment is secure.

Why Travelers Choose Flexibility

We have seen firsthand how often travelers need to cancel at the last minute. Sometimes a performer gets sick right before departure. Other times a passport or visa does not arrive in time, or a student is suddenly invited to a major festival or academic event that conflicts with the trip.

Even serious situations, such as a death in the family, may not be fully covered under the Basic Plan. Without upgrading, there are no refunds of any kind within 30 days of departure, regardless of the reason. With our Ultimate-Plus Protection Plan, travelers have the flexibility to cancel up to 4 days before departure for any reason, or within that same window for covered reasons such as illness, job loss, or the death of a family member, and still receive a full refund.

Many other performance tour operators only offer partial refunds or rely on outside insurance companies that limit flexibility. Encore’s Ultimate Plus Plan gives travelers something rare in the group-travel world: the ability to cancel for any reason and still receive a full cash refund. Families appreciate that level of freedom, and it is why nearly half of all Encore travelers choose to upgrade each year. You can find the latest version of our protection plans on our Traveler Resources page.

Feature	Encore’s Ultimate-Plus Plan	Typical Competitor Plan
Refund for Any Reason	100% cash refund up to 4 days before departure	75% of non-refundable cost
Refund Timing	Handled directly by Encore, no claim submission needed	Must file claim with third-party insurer, processing delays common
Standard Coverage Included for All Travelers	Yes — Basic Protection Plan automatically included	No — must purchase separately from a third-party insurer
Instrument Insurance	Up to $5,000 coverage for loss or damage	Typically not included or limited to baggage value (~$1,500)
Medical Expense Coverage	Up to $50,000, with emergency evacuation to $500,000	Around $25,000, with $100,000 evacuation limit
Missed Connection Coverage	Up to $1,500	Up to $500
Baggage Delay	Up to $750	Up to $300
Death or Illness in Family	Fully covered with CFAR	Often excluded unless medical documentation meets narrow definitions
Administrative Support	24/7 global network, Encore staff manage coverage directly	Third-party hotline or insurance provider only

Automatic Protection for Every Traveler

Every Encore participant begins with a Basic Protection Plan at no extra charge. Many other performance tour operators require travelers to purchase their own coverage or depend on third-party insurers, which can lead to gaps or confusion. With Encore, protection starts automatically from the moment you register. There is no uncertainty about whether you are covered or what steps to take if plans change.

For those who want even more reassurance, upgrading is simple. The Ultimate and Ultimate Plus plans expand that basic coverage to include full refund options, higher medical benefits, and enhanced on-tour support. Directors appreciate how transparent the process is, and parents value that everything is managed directly through Encore instead of being handed off to an outside company.

Protection Tailored for Musicians

Encore’s protection plans are created specifically for performance tours. The Ultimate Plus Plan includes up to $5,000 of instrument protection, ensuring that a musician’s most valuable possessions are covered throughout the journey. Whether you are traveling with a violin, a French horn, or a full percussion setup, you can travel knowing your instruments are protected against loss or damage.

Beyond instruments, every plan level includes medical coverage, program interruption protection, and travel delay benefits. Each layer of protection is supported by Encore’s global network of partners who understand the unique logistics of performance travel. From handling an unexpected delay to arranging replacement equipment, Encore’s plans are designed for the realities of musicians on the move.

Cash Refunds, Not Claims

Many travelers have experienced the frustration of filing claims through third-party insurers. It can mean long waits, complex forms, and uncertainty about when or how a refund will arrive. Encore takes a more personal approach. Refunds are processed directly by Encore, so there is no need to involve an outside company or navigate a separate claims process. This direct handling makes the experience faster, clearer, and more trustworthy.

Confidence from Start to Finish

Many travelers have experienced the frustration of filing claims through third-party insurers. It can mean long waits, complex forms, and uncertainty about when or how a refund will arrive. Encore takes a more personal approach. While refunds are issued as two separate checks, travelers only communicate directly with Encore. There is no need to deal with an outside company or navigate a separate claims process.

This approach makes the experience faster, clearer, and more trustworthy. Travelers know that if they need to cancel, their refund will be coordinated by the same Encore team that organized their tour. It is one of the reasons families describe the process as smooth, supportive, and far less stressful than what they have encountered with other performance tour operators.

Ready to Travel with Confidence?

Learn more about Encore’s protection options and how the Ultimate Plus Plan keeps your tour flexible, secure, and stress free by visiting our Travel Protection page.