KNOW YOUR CANCELLATION RIGHTS

WE are in unprecedented times as almost all events and travel are being cancelled or postponed. But, what are your rights if you have a ticket for something that’s been axed?

Adam French, consumer rights expert at Which? said: “Anyone worried about being left out of pocket as events are being postponed should keep hold of their tickets.

“If an event is cancelled or you’re unable to make it once it’s been rescheduled, then you’ll be entitled to a refund.”

Cancelled events

If you bought tickets from the event organiser or primary ticket retailers such as Ticketmaster, you have some protection. These firms are required by the Society of Ticket Agents, the industry’s self-regulatory body, to refund tickets at face value.

If you bought via a secondary ticket seller, such as Viagogo, you’ll need to check the terms and conditions on its website – some firms offer guarantees and other protections.

Cinema closures

Chains such as Cineworld and Odeon have shut screens until further notice. If you have tickets booked you can claim a refund or re-book for a later date.

Postponed events

Hold on to your tickets until a new date is announced. If you’re unable to attend on that new date you can claim a refund.

If you were doing an event such as a marathon, a refund of your entry fee is not guaranteed. Check the organiser’s terms and conditions.

Travel and events

It could be more difficult to get money back for travel or accommodation booked around an event, unless it was purchased as part of a package deal. You’ll need to check the cancellation around this travel.

Consumer rights expert Martyn James from complaints service Resolver said: “As a general rule firms are more likely to survive if they have future bookings coming in and everyone doesn’t ask for refunds. This could be a gamble as there’s no guarantee you’ll get your event or money back. But if people do this it could keep firms in business in the longer term.”