MSE News: Egypt crisis: your travel rights

HXDave

YJohnson,

Who are your tour operator? Whilst they may not at this point offer a free cancellation, they may offer either a free or reduced rate transfer.

I currently have some friends out in sharm at the moment, and are due back on friday. so over the weekend i will be able to chat with them, to gauge first hand exactly what things were like from their point of view.

HXDave

YJohnson

My tour operator is Thomas Cook. When we spoke to them at weekend they said they would monitor the situation. Is it worth asking them if we could transfer to another holiday.

Thanks for your help.

HXDave

YJ,

Yes, always worth asking to see what options are available. Unfortunately, we have had no further updates from TC's regarding Sharm, so might just be normal booking conditions apply, and with you going 27/03, options might be very very limited (ie travel as booked, or cancel and lose 5age). But always best checking, especially if its a TC holiday booked through a TC shop, as they may have more flexibility / more information.

Regards

HXDave

YJohnson

Thanks very much. Just getting very nervous as we are due to travel 24 February. Think we will go and speak with Thomas Cook at weekend given what is taking place today, more fighting.

HXDave

YJ,

whilst it may seem drastic in Cairo, the resort of sharm is virtually operating as normal, hence wht the FCO are still happy for people to travel there. It's 8 hours away from Cairo, and all the egyptians who are based there are there because of the tourist industry.

I do understand your concerns, and if it makes you feel better speak to the guys in the agency, however remember that television always tend to show just the bad things, as that is what attracts peoples attention. You dont see many reports from sharm do you? Why not - because there's nothing going on there, and it's not selling news.

HXDave

drfinlay

We are due to fly to Hurghada in a weeks time,stying in a Hotel for 3 nights the being transported to Luxor for a weeks cruise on the Nile.
Should the travel company cancel this package ( due to embarkation in Luxor) and refund our monies.

HXDave

drfinlay,

if part of the package covers Luxor, then i would imagine the holiday would not be going ahead as normal.

you need to speak with the tour operator to determine exactly what is happening, as they may offer alternative arrangements. Whilst i appreciate that part of your holiday is a nile cruise, because your flight is operating into / out of HRG, the flight element (at the moment) is operating normally!

JulieLilyTat

Hello everyone, could I just get a bit of unbiased travel agent-type advice please? I have a holiday to Luxor booked but it is not until May 4. Do I just sit back and wait to see how the troubles pan out, or should I go into the travel agency and enquire about changing it now? When I enquired with them by email, they said that if I did, I would have to pay extra administration charges. I have travel insurance through the travel agent's attached travel insurers. Thanks in advance... :undecided

HXDave

Hyset,

Did you actually leave the UK at all on your trip? If not, it seems strange that they have cancelled the trip and only offered you 90%. However there are 2 possible scenarios that i could think of. either might apply, or neither.

1. Did you recieve a discount on the holiday? if so, whilst the tour operator may have refunded 100% of the holiday cost back, the travel agent is only obliged to refund what you paid to them.

2. it may be that the travel agent has retained their commission, and that is why they have only refunded you 90%. if this is the case then they are very very naughty, and i would take this up with them.

Have a quick word with them, and see what their explanation is of only being refunded 90%, and take it from there.

JulieLily, i'm afraid for that date it's just a case of sit back & wait, as it's too far into the future to determine whats gonna happen. However, you do have the luxury if you are still not happy of going to Egypt of changing your holiday to a different destination for hopefully just an admin fee, as you are currently outside the cancellation charges. Once you get within cancellation charges (usually 8-10 weeks prior to departure), charges to amend to other holidays can increase dramatically.

HXDave

Wharfbob

I apologise if this has been covered already, there are many posts on here today. My travel operator has cancelled a trip around Egypt starting Feb 12th. I have no real info on what aspects of the trip might have been in danger (Cairo, Luxor, Nile etc). I have read their brouchure and they quote Force majeure everywhere and imply no refund but they will give me another booking. This is my second attempt as it was cancelled in the snow at Xmas. My question is do I have a right to claim a full refund from the operator (Explore) rather than any form of alternative? My job makes swopping dates and times rather difficult and once winter is over I loose the urge to go on holiday until late in the year. They do appear to want to wipe their hands of it all and pass it on to insurers who, as ever, can be very difficult to deal with as your readers have indicated. Thank you.