Brussels-please help?

toozie_2 · 25 November 2015 at 7:17AM

My daughter (age 20) and 2 friends have booked to go to the Brussels for the Christmas markets, going in 10 days.
They booked flights through Brussels Airways, and are staying at Novotel Grande Place for 2 nights-all booked independently.

Obviously I really don't want her to go, and they are actually frightened themselves.

They are 3 apprentices and although they haven't paid a lot, it is a lot to to them on their wages.

Is there any way of getting a refund, or partial refund or even at least getting the dates changed to the Spring?
Unfortunately they got the triple room at a good price-"pay now"-so it's already paid for.

Thank you in advance for any advice. :beer:

Caz3121 · 25 November 2015 at 7:43AM

They will be restricted to the T&Cs of what they have purchased or are relying on goodwill
Flights - need to check what type of ticket they have. Light&Relax fares can be changed for €45 plus any fare difference or charge €120 for a refund but Check&Go are restricted and don't appear to offer any change even for a fee. Alternatively they could look at getting a refund of the APD (£13)
Hotel will also depend on type of rate booked. An advance saver rate is non-refundable and is cheaper than a Flexible rate which would be refundable.
You don'e mention travel insurance however it is unlikely this would help with disinclination to travel as their is no FCO guidance to avoid travelling
I suspect she is going to have to speak to the suppliers and see if they are prepared to offer anything other than the original T&Cs and then make a decision

toozie_2 · 25 November 2015 at 8:02AM

Thank you for the speedy reply.
Can I ask what the APD (£13) is?
They have booked a basic" fair-and she has told me that the Brussels Airways site states no refunds for a "basic" fair.
The hotel is Advance Saver.
Yes they have insurance, but the government has not stated "don't travel"-only be vigilant-so I don;t think that would kick in.

So maybe the last resort is emailing and seeing if anything can be refunded under a goodwill gesture?

Thank you.

irishjohn · 25 November 2015 at 8:11AM

APD is the tax element of the ticket. Airlines can have no refund fares but they cannot hold onto the tax if the ticket is cancelled. They can however make an administrative charge to refund the tax which may be prohibitive.

Do you not perhaps think that Brussels with all the additional security would be probably an OK place to visit? Seems a shame to lose all that money paid.

toozie_2 · 25 November 2015 at 8:18AM

irishjohn wrote: »

APD is the tax element of the ticket. Airlines can have no refund fares but they cannot hold onto the tax if the ticket is cancelled. They can however make an administrative charge to refund the tax which may be prohibitive.

Do you not perhaps think that Brussels with all the additional security would be probably an OK place to visit? Seems a shame to lose all that money paid.

Hi John
Thank you.

Yes I do, but no I don't-if that makes sense!
It seems that attractions are closed, transport may be reduced.
She is still one of my "babies" and I am worried, and I think the girls have come to their own decion it's best not to go.

Toozie

Moto2 · 25 November 2015 at 8:28AM

By the sound of things, it's probably best not to go as no one will enjoy it.
There probably won't be any refunds though.

The thing is, it's 10 days away, Belgium is quite capable of keeping people safe, don't let terrorists terrorise you, stand up to them.

toozie_2 · 25 November 2015 at 8:34AM

Moto2 wrote: »

By the sound of things, it's probably best not to go as no one will enjoy it.
There probably won't be any refunds though.

The thing is, it's 10 days away, Belgium is quite capable of keeping people safe, don't let terrorists terrorise you, stand up to them.

Oh yeh I am of that option too.
But I think because it's my daughter, and she is questioning going herself, I'm looking at all options with her.
Not sure of the total each they have paid-but it's not much really (less than £120 each)
They would be forever looking over their shoulders, and I would be on pins until they get home, I'm probably worse because we don't live in a city ourselves!!

eDicky · 25 November 2015 at 4:33PM

As there seems to be no chance of any worthwhile refunds, and slim hope of any goodwill gesture by the airline, you can just leave the bookings in place and see how things go. The situation in Brussels may well have returned to normal in ten days, or not, but the decision whether to go can be made the day before. There's nothing to be gained by cancelling, so relax...

sheramber · 25 November 2015 at 5:43PM

Are the Christmas Markets going ahead?

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belgium

Public events are likely to be cancelled and tourist attractions closed. Contact event organisers for information on whether specific events are going ahead.

joerugby · 25 November 2015 at 9:29PM

Here's a link to a local news article:

http://www.xpats.com/city-brussels-decide-fate-winter-wonders-event

......... and another to the official Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/plaisirsdhiver.winterpret.winterwonders/

Apparently an announcement on whether the Brussels markets will go ahead will be taken on Thursday

Tarry · 26 November 2015 at 10:11PM

Will it just be the Bruseels one cancelled than?
I loved Bruges but before these "alerts" so can't comment now.

Brussels-please help?

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