We’re caught in virus crisis – how can we recover cash?
IF THEY ever bring back the TV programme Holidays From Hell, the start of this year would provide enough material for an entire series. Quarantined hotels, stranded cruise ships, flight cancellations and then an airline (Flybe) going bust – and it’s not even spring.
With coronavirus continuing to spread, people are increasingly reluctant to travel, meaning airlines are cancelling dozens of flights, cruise companies are frantically rescheduling and hotel operators are contemplating a disastrous summer. Only those still happy to travel are benefiting from bargain prices and emptying flights – but it would take strong nerves to book an overseas holiday at the moment.
But what if you already have holidays booked? Following our report last week, ‘Coronavirus ruined your travel plans?’, we have been deluged with letters from readers asking what they should do about their existing travel arrangements.
Some stand to lose thousands of pounds if they cancel but fear risking their health if they go. We asked the experts about their options:
My wife and I booked a 17-day tour of China, taking in Beijing, Xian, Chengdu and Shanghai. I will be 70 in May and have only just recovered from bowel cancer so I do not want to take any risks. We have been told by our travel company that they can only confirm our tour either way four weeks before it starts. I want to cancel the trip but we’ve been told we will forfeit our money. What should we do?
CHECK your travel insurance. Given there is a Foreign & Commonwealth Office advisory notice against all but essential travel to where you are going, then you should be covered provided you have travel disruption cover – and the notice is still in place prior to departure.
If the trip is not for several months, then this could be classed under ‘disinclination to travel’ which is not covered by most travel insurers. It is advisable to talk directly with the travel company to see if there is anything they can offer.
We had planned to go on a cruise in June to the Baltic states calling at Sweden, Denmark and Germany. My wife and I have underlying medical conditions and are both nearly 80 years old. We decided to lose our £400 deposit rather than pay the balance of £3,000 – because we are so worried about coronavirus. Our holiday company said it could not give us a refund because there were no Government restrictions for this area and likewise our travel insurance company said the same. Is there anything else we can do?
REBECCA Kingsley, brand manager of consumer awareness website Travel Insurance Explained, says: ‘Sadly the majority of travel policies do not cover disinclination to travel which means the couple are not entitled to claim.
‘But some insurers are offering to consider claims for cancellation if there is a medical justification as to why they can no longer travel. In this circumstance, the consumer has said both he and his wife have underlying conditions so it may be worth speaking to the insurer about cancelling for medical reasons.’
My girlfriend and I booked return flights with Flybe to Dublin next month. Now the airline has gone into administration, what can we do to get our money back?
MARTIN Lewis, from MoneySaving Expert, is advising customers to first ask their credit or debit card company for a chargeback – because they have paid for something they have not received.
Some travel insurance companies will cover cancelled flights if they are the result of an airline’s collapse, but not all policies include this. Flights bought directly from airlines are not generally ATOL-protected but those bought through a separate travel company as part of a holiday package may be covered.
I have paid £7,000 for flights to Japan to stay with a family who are currently self-isolating – and then travelling on to Australia. When I get to Australia, I might be forced to self-isolate having come from Japan. I want to get a refund or rebook for a later date. But my travel agent says there is nothing it can do as there are currently no travel restrictions to Japan.
IT’S worth monitoring the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s guidance as this is changing frequently as the virus spreads. If you have not taken out travel insurance with travel disruption cover, then do so as soon as possible as you should be covered if the guidance then changes.
My travel companion has been advised by her doctor not to travel to Myanmar due to her lung condition and concerns over coronavirus, so we have cancelled our trip. I have insurance with Staysure which covers the event of my travelling companion not being able to go, but they have refused my claim. Is it possible to appeal?
I HAVE contacted Staysure and it says Myanmar had no reported cases at the time of claiming. If you do not agree with an insurer’s decision you can make a formal complaint and after that, you can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service.
We booked a three- week stay at Costa Adeje, in Tenerife. Shortly after booking, the first coronavirus cases were reported in a hotel at the resort. We are aged 78 and 77 and stand to lose the entire £ 3,562 that we paid if we decide not to go ahead with the holiday as planned. What can we do?
KINGSLEY of Travel Insurance Explained says: ‘Unless the holiday has been cancelled by the travel agent or the airline cancels the flights, disinclination to travel will not be covered.
‘While some travel agents offer to amend trip dates, it is not something that they legally have to provide.
‘ Also, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has not advised against travel to the region.’