Monarch Airlines stops trading - latest info and your rights

Has anyone who booked a flight and hotel package through Lastminute had anything back from them yet that isn't "We will contact you ASAP" or other such pre-formatted reply

I could book for somewhere else, but am stuck until i know if i am getting a refund or different flights

HilaryMS wrote: »

I booked two return flights with Monarch, using a Deutsche Bank Visa debit card from Alicante to Gatwick. I have UK travel insurance that includes scheduled airline failure but excludes companies in administration. I have contacted the bank here in Spain, but they say that the debit card “does not have any travel insurance cover”. I don’t suppose that the chargeback procedure applies in Spain.
I also think that the point of the exclusion is because “in administration” can mean that the company can continue to trade headed by the administrator, so that there is a chance that you might get your money back. This is not the case here as they have ceased trading but are not yet being “wound up” I have written to the insurance company along those lines, also KPMG. Any other ideas?

Chargeback is a Visa policy not an individual bank policy. There is a standard template letter on the main MSE pages that you should send to the bank providing the card. It is not travel insurance, but it is there to be used if you have paid for goods or services that you have not received and covers businesses going into administration. Hope that helps. Personal experience says you have to keep on them and take the fob offs till you get to the right person. All of this is best done in writing (keep copies and send everything recorded delivery). Be patient, you will get a refund if you follow Martin's advice on chargeback the main web site.

bradders1983 wrote: »

Well I have just rang my other credit card provider (Natwest).

Again, just like Vanquis, they have batted me straight back to the CAA/ATOL, they have all had a email literally timed about 10 minutes ago from their Disputes department saying the policy is to tell all people who bought on the credit cards to claim via ATOL! This is a nightmare, the CAA advice is at direct odds with the policy the banks are adopting!

"If you booked directly with Monarch Holidays using a credit card, please contact your credit card issuer to make a claim for a refund."

Anyone from MSE reading this?

Not from MSE, but do have a bit of experience as I read up a lot on the subject last year when I was one of those who had booked with Low Cost Holidays.

As far as I understand it any purchase that has an ATOL certificate Issues by Monarch (or associated companies) will be dealt with by the CAA. It's what it is there for, if the CAA are telling people to go to their card issuer then that sounds like bad advice. Looks like the ATOL CAA claims forms will be available middle of next week. And believe me it feel like an eternity when you are stuck in limbo wondering if you'll get your money back or another holiday booked.

If you have an ATOL certificate issued under another companies license it is up to them (depending on their level of cover) to offer an alternative holiday (may cost extra) or give you a refund. They are still trading for you to talk to them, but you can appreciate they are probably very busy.

Only If you have no ATOL cover:

Firstly try your insurance company if it has scheduled airline failure cover.

If you paid on a card:

Then if each person's booking was over £100 and was on a credit card claim using Section 75; standard letters available on the MSE web page.

If it was under £100 per person on a credit card or any amount over £10 on a debit card claim using chargeback, standard template letters also available on the main site.

If you paid by bank transfer, cheque or cash you will need to apply to KPMG to become an unsecured creditor, but it is rare that anyone gets any money back.

If you paid via Paypal:

Within 180 days of purchase, raise a dispute. When LCH went under all money owing (people had lost hotels, transfers but not flights, or all so was very complicated) was refunded within a month of the announcement.

Outside of 180 days and paid using a linked credit or debit card, write to the card issuer and start a chargeback.

Section 75 will not apply as Paypal is classed as an intermediary.

Hope that helps, my only advice is to be patient as the first week after something like this happens is always disorganised as everyone forms a policy. I hope you can rescue your holiday, at worst you should get a refund if you have the ATOL certificate.