Am I being taken for a ride?
Q HAVING bought a Merlin Annual Pass, which allows myself and my son entry to attractions including Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland Windsor, I’ve found it is almost impossible to use as so many slots reserved for pass-holders are booked. Yet non-pass-holders can still buy tickets. What can I do?
Laura Crompton, via email.
A MErlin explained that it has been having trouble with its booking system as some passholders are booking multiple slots and then not showing up. it is now offering more than 50,000 additional slots and has reserved whole days for pass-holders, it has also extended passes bought before the lockdown by five months.
Q I HAVE rented a cottage in Scotland for half-term with my family. In light of the First Minister’s announcement about not visiting other households, can we still go on this holiday?
James Johnson, via email. A THE new rules state that you cannot make indoor social visits to other households — see gov.scot/news/new-measuresto-drive-down-infection-rate.
Assuming that you will not be meeting people indoors or sharing the cottage with anyone, the holiday would appear to be fine.
Q I BOOKED to stay three nights at Edgar Farmhouse in Norfolk last month through Big House Holiday Rentals. It was to be a family get-together of 19 people staying at the 20-room property to celebrate my 70th birthday and my daughter’s 30th. But, because of the Rule of Six, we could not go. I was told I could rebook any time in the next two years, which was fine, but then conditions were introduced that made this impractical for such a large group. Can you help?
Anna Macer, via email.
A As you are now considering taking legal action to have your money returned, the owners were unwilling to comment. However, t he Competition and Markets Authority, the Government’s consumer watchdog, expects customers to be offered a full refund where ‘no goods or services are provided by a business because this is prevented by the lockdown laws’.
For more information, go to the ‘statement on coronavirus (Covid19), consumer contracts, cancellations and refunds’ page of gov.uk.
Q I AM still waiting for a refund for return flights to New York which were cancelled on March 20 by Virgin Atlantic. They were booked through Expedia, but I am finding it stressful dealing with the firm. I’ve made contact via the online portal, email and phone, and there is still no refund. Can you help?
Joan Harris, via email.
A EXPEDiA says it ‘can see that Virgin Atlantic has processed the refund’. it has arranged for the money to be transferred to your account.
Q AS I am considering booking a holiday in Cyprus, I went on to the Bupa website to book a Covid-19 test, as you advised recently. However, it is not doing the PCR (antigen) tests, which are required for Cyprus, only antibody testing. Where can I go to get the correct test? I am based to the west of London.
Anita Twiddy, via email.
A APoloGiEs, you are quite right. There are a number of firms providing the Covid-19 PCr swab tests and i ssuing suitable ‘fit to travel’ certificates.
some guarantee a result within 70 hours. see doctap. co. uk/ s ervices/ coronavirus- t est or citydoc.org.uk/covid-19-fit-to-fly or better2know.co.uk. Prices range from about £130 to £175.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
IF YOU need advice, the Holiday Guru is here to answer your questions. Email them to holidayplanner@ dailymail.co.uk — and include your contact details.