Quarantine and consumer rights

How to recoup the cost of your overseas trip

QWhat are the quarantine rules?

A People coming to the UK from France will be forced to self-isolate for 14 days from today.

France, along with the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba, has been removed from the Government’s exemption list. The new rules came into effect at 4am this morning.

Self-isolating means remaining at home or the place you are staying – and not leaving it. So, you cannot go shopping or meet friends, and any exercise must be in your own home or garden. People can be fined £100 for failing to fill in a contact form with details of where they are staying. One in five will be called or texted to check they are following the rules. People who do not self-isolate can be fined up to £1,000 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and £480 in Scotland. There are fines of up to £5,000 for persistent offenders.

Q What are my consumer rights?

A Major airlines have waived their flight change fee, allowing customers to postpone their travel date if needed. Check the terms of the airline you booked with.

Jasmine Birtles, from credit card company Visa, said passengers are not required to accept any changes to the service they originally purchased. If flights are rescheduled, there are ways you can try to get your money back, instead of rebooking or accepting a voucher.

If you purchased your tickets on a debit or credit card and the seller is withholding a refund, you can contact your bank to make a “chargeback” claim. You can ask your credit card provider for a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

Q How can I get a full refund?

A If you booked directly with your airline and it cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund.

If your flight is still running and you no longer want to go, then hold off cancelling your booking and hope that the airline does. Voluntarily cancelling your flight will mean you are unlikely to get any money back.

James Martyn, of consumer rights group Resolver, said: “Consumers are being asked to take all the risks when booking travel. If flights are still running and the Government advice is not to travel, you are not technically entitled to a refund.”

Q Will my travel insurance cover any cancellations?

A The vast majority of travel insurance will be invalid if it has not already been purchased, according to Tommy Lloyd of Medical Travel Compared, a travel insurance comparison firm.

If you bought travel insurance now for an imminent holiday to France it is unlikely you would be able to claim for a cancellation as the advice change is a “known event”, he said. Travel restrictions typically void policies if a country is on the Foreign Office’s “blacklist”.

Those who still plan to travel and accept the quarantine measures on their return should contact their travel insurer to explore their options and find out their level of cover.