Flown out to New York AFTER State of Emergency Declared

hollie.weimeraner

Just got back from New York having spent the weekend with Hurricane Irene which ruined the majority of the holiday. Basically I contacted the travel agent last Wednesday with my concerns about Irene and they saidthey would get back to me but didn't (They have acknowledged that I did contact them though and have apologised for not getting back to me). Anyway it transpires that a state of emergency was declared in New York on Thursday with plans to shut down the City on Saturday morning (ALL shops and Public transport). We flew to NY on Fiday morning and basically spent the best part of 2 days of the 4 days in NY sat in our hotel room whilst NY was shut down.

The travel company have suggested I take the matter up with the Airline (Virgin) that flew us out there on Friday but as it was a package I believe my grievance rests with the travel company who have confirmed that had we not travelled they would not have refunded a penny to us:(

Any advice on the best way to tackle this now? Do we approach the travel company again? Virgin? or go direct to a solicitor that deals with holiday claims (that is if they believe we are justified in claiming)

Darksun

Do you have travel insurance, and will they cover anything?

As far as the travel agent is concerned, they did provide the service you paid for, flights were still operating and your hotel was still open. I don't think there is any legal obligation for them to stop flying into an area because of a state of emergency unless directed to do so by a relevant government, it's down to passengers to find out any relevant travel advisories.

baza52

I cant see you being entitled to anything.
As Darksun said, they provided everything you booked and paid for.
Its hardly their fault the shops and transport were closed.

Optimist

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

The travel company have suggested I take the matter up with the Airline (Virgin) that flew us out there on Friday but as it was a package I believe my grievance rests with the travel company who have confirmed that had we not travelled they would not have refunded a penny to us:(

Any advice on the best way to tackle this now? Do we approach the travel company again? Virgin? or go direct to a solicitor that deals with holiday claims (that is if they believe we are justified in claiming)

Your grievance if one were to exist and I am doubtful, would be with the "package" company. The travel agent is just that an agent unless they were the ones to put the package together.