Question about Flight Cancellation with Current UK Weather

richdeniro

Hi,

Am due to fly to Amsterdam on Friday and was wondering what would happen to my booking if the flight is unable to take off because of the UK weather situation - I saw on the bbc news today that more snow is expected on Thursday.

Will Opodo refund the money for both the flight and the hotel as it was booked with them?

Should I invest in some travel insurance? I notice that there is a seperate option on some travel insurance websites with an option for 'cancellation cover' - I assume I should select this option.

richardw

richdeniro wrote: »

Should I invest in some travel insurance?

Yes, get it when you book a trip and the cancellation risk commences.

janken

The only thing you cannot get is compensation for missed flights and days lost as this is exempt as its due to weather. You will be rebooked on another flight by the airline if yours is csncelled. Cant understand why anyone would elect to travel without insurance.

richardw

Which airport are you flying from?

melb

I always thought the 'cancellation cover' was if the traveller had to cancel the holiday through illness etc rather than the airline/holiday company cancelling?

richdeniro

melb wrote: »

I always thought the 'cancellation cover' was if the traveller had to cancel the holiday through illness etc rather than the airline/holiday company cancelling?

That's what I thought but am unsure.

Am flying from Heathrow.

debsjc

I think most insurances have some exceptions for weather problems as well, so check the small print if you do take insurance out.

Most likely if the airline does cancel your flight they will rebook you onto an alternative one. However, if the snow is heavy and you have to delay over night, then you almost certainly will have to make your own hotel arrangements.
As soon as there are serious weather problems at Hethrow all the airport hotels fill up, and the airline can't get enough rooms for all their passengers even if they wanted to.

gemmacarolyn

I would never fly without travel insurance-too much of a risk! I'm fairly certain that cancelation cover is for if you cancel, not the airline. You should be able to get some compensation from your insurance if your holiday is delayed/cancelled, although as someone else said, this sometimes won't happen if it's due to the weather.
If you do get stuck-press the airline for a hotel discount voucher. They say they won't pay for your hotel if the delay is due to bad weather, but most customer service desks will give you a hotel discount voucher, if only just to get rid of you!

stephb34

Were you seriously thinking of going with no travel insurance, oh dear have you thought of how much it would cost you just to get home if say for instance you got run over crossing the road and couldnt fly home immediately or you needed a nurse to come back with you because you needed constant medical supervision. Heaven forbid you died, any idea how much for your loved ones to get your body home, need i go on. Not sure how long you going for but you could probably get insurance for about £10.

Tomthumb

My Mum and Dad were due to fly to Prague yesterday from Birmingham and it was cancelled due to Snow. BMI Baby are giving them vouchers to fly again. The Hotel was booked through Lastminute. We emailed the Hotel direct to let them know they couldn't get there and they kindly waived the cancellation charge. We then contacted Lastminute who are giving a full refund and are not applying the admin fees of £20! Excellent customer service all round!