Allianz Global Assistance and Orbitz.com Internet

I purchased airline reservations from Orbitz.com and included their "insurance" which is covered by Allianz Global Assistance.  The evening before my airline departure, the airline called and cancelled the flight with no explanation.  I was offered another flight from a different airport which was an hour away from my home.

My original booking with Orbitz included a charge for "Preferred Seating".  When I got to the re-routed airport there were no more preferred seats available on the new flight.

Additionally, since my return flight was unchanged and I was still flying back to my originally booked airport, I did not want to drive my car to the re-routed airport as I would not have a car when I returned.  I opted instead to take a taxi at 3:30 in the morning to get on my 6AM flight.

I submitted a claim to Allianz for the Preferred Seating charges and the taxi charge.  Their letter to me stated that after review their coverage only covered "specific situations, events and losses..and only under the conditions we describe.  Unfortunatly, a cancellation or delay by your airline is not included among those reasons."  What a rip-off!

If cancellation by an airline is not adequate for reimbursement by insurance, I think that Orbitz is misleading the consumer when they offer it and their relationship with Allianz needs to be severed.