Get ready to claim for hurricane hols

HOLIDAYMAKERS stranded by Hurricane Irma have been emailing to ask about their rights to compensation.

Most are reporting cancelled flights and that their tour operator has abandoned them.

Holidaymakers in Florida and the Caribbean are also worried about who will pick up the bill for additional accommodation and food costs associated with having to stay at their destination longer.

Here’s what you need to know: Flight cancellations

If you are booked with an EUbased airline you will be protected by a European law known as EC261. These rules are designed to ensure travellers are not left out of pocket or stranded if their airline cancels their flight.

Under the regulations, your airline will have to offer you the choice of either a refund of your ticket – which in this case you will not choose – or an alternative flight, at no extra cost to the passenger.

Those flying back to the UK on American-owned airlines do not get the same protection.

However, all of the big US airlines have said they will re-book customers on to the next available flight as a goodwill gesture. Hotel and food costs

If you are flying back with an EU-based airline, and you choose to have an alternative flight as opposed to a refund, you will be entitled to “right to care”.

This means that your airline will be obliged to cover your reasonable costs for food, hotel and phone calls up to the point you board the re-scheduled flight home.

Whether you are given food and accommodation upfront or have to claim back the cost will depend on the airline.

Those flying back to the UK on American- owned airlines do not get the same protection so will have to turn to their insurance. Compensation

Ordinarily, if your flight is more than three hours late to its final destination ( and in the case of flights out of the Caribbean or the US it is an EU airline), you will be entitled to compensation.

However, this will not apply as the cause of the delays and cancellations is a hurricane and this is classed as an “extraordinary circumstance” so the airline does not have to pay up.