Cancelled flights on return from holiday- insurance doesn't cover it?

Jonboy1889

I bought a premium policy with protect your bubble insurance, but apparently they don't cover any delays/cancellations for return flights.

My internal flight from Queenstown to Auckland (Jetstar) was cancelled due to weather, missing our next flight (Cathay Pacific) to the UK- there is no additional Cathay flight available until next Wednesday! (22nd April) I have to be back for Uni on 20th so this is no use (not to mention the hotel cost for 9 days!)

I have to buy a new single ticket to get back- but this is not coveted by protect your bubble

What are my options? I paid for this insurance premium but it does nothing for cancellation on return

DTDfanBoy

You could ask Cathay if they have availability via Sydney or Brisbane either Ex Queenstown or Ex Christchurch

glentoran99

Jonboy1889 wrote: »

I bought a premium policy with protect your bubble insurance, but apparently they don't cover any delays/cancellations for return flights.

My internal flight from Queenstown to Auckland (Jetstar) was cancelled due to weather, missing our next flight (Cathay Pacific) to the UK- there is no additional Cathay flight available until next Wednesday! (22nd April) I have to be back for Uni on 20th so this is no use (not to mention the hotel cost for 9 days!)

I have to buy a new single ticket to get back- but this is not coveted by protect your bubble

What are my options? I paid for this insurance premium but it does nothing for cancellation on return

If your flight is cancelled the Airline should be putting you up

Alan_Bowen

Sorry to hear of your problems, you are only protected by an airline if all your flights were on one ticket, do I assume the Jetstar flight was booked separately? If it was, then Cathay are probably being generous in transferring you to their next flight as technically they could claim you were a 'no show' and most cheap tickets allow no changes or only at considerable cost.

As regards your insurance, it is vital to read the policy when you get it, you have 14 days to cancel free of charge, my take on that company is that it is trying too hard to be 'hip' and the reviews are so positive to be almost unbelievable( although most of them appear to relate to how easy it is to take out cover, not how easy it is to claim.) If you have no effective insurance, it may still be cheaper to get a flight earlier with a different airline than wait another 9 days but as you have discovered this is when lots of people are trying to get back to the UK after Easter and flights may be full. May be worth talking to a good travel agent in NZ who may know the best options available.

Jonboy1889

Thanks for your responses- it's just unfortunate all round! If it had been all linked flights I would be ok- but it would never have happened as I had a wedding in auckland first, so wouldn't have linked the flights. It's a pity as even if I read the insurance details word for word I still wouldn't have picked up that they don't cover the return flight cancellation I will know for next time (not that it will ever happen again statisically)

malkie76

glentoran99 wrote: »

If your flight is cancelled the Airline should be putting you up

I very much doubt so on this occasion. I imagine this is not a through ticket, and JetStar have completed their part by getting the OP from Queenstown to Auckland (albeit delayed, but potentially not requiring a hotel stay).

As a consequence of the delay the OP has missed their onward flight, but seeing as it wasn't a through ticket (I imagine), they need to find their own accommodation until the next available flight. Cathay are being generous if they have permitted a free flight transfer.

Travel insurance should definitely be the way forward to recover costs assuming you have cover for this sort of situation. Not all policies will cover you being delayed in getting to the airport for a flight, and most will have certain conditions to this cover.

These situations can be avoided by booking a through ticket (at which point any delays become the problem of the airline), or if this isn't possible then put an overnight between flights as a buffer.

Voyager2002

Jonboy1889 wrote: »

It's a pity as even if I read the insurance details word for word I still wouldn't have picked up that they don't cover the return flight cancellation I will know for next time (not that it will ever happen again statisically)

In that case you should certainly make a formal complaint to your insurer, since they have evidently failed to make clear what they do or do not cover.

peachyprice

http://uk.protectyourbubble.com/uploads/files/travel-insurance-documents/Protect%20Your%20Bubble-2012-07-PolicyWording00105.pdf

I've just read the policy, I can't see anywhere that states that inbound travel is not covered, there just isn't a section for it.

tomtontom

I've scanned the policy also, it does not appear to cover inbound travel.

How long did you leave between the two flights?

InsideInsurance

It covers delay on the inward flight but only international and its a very token amount £20 for 12 hours and £10 per 12 hours there after up to £400 per person. As the cancelled flight is an internal flight it doesnt count.

As others have said, this is the risk you take on buying a non-through ticket. Had the whole trip been on a single ticket then the airline would have been responsible for you.

Jonboy1889

tomtontom wrote: »

I've scanned the policy also, it does not appear to cover inbound travel.

How long did you leave between the two flights?

I left 6 hours in Auckland- so it left 3 hours to spare up there. Thing is, regsrdless of Jetstar getting me another flight there (which wasn't available until Saturday anyways!) Cathay still don't have an economy flight until mid next week

I couldn't have done it all in one as I had a wedding in auckland first, then flew down to QT after a few days


I agree- I had a look through and it isn't in the exclusions either!

Which is weird as in the insurefor terms (who underwrite protect your bubble) offer a cover for any flight change, but PYB don't

It's a bit vague

Thanks for your help and insight- what do u think I should do? Should I write when I get back? At the end of the day I am going to have to fork out £1.2k for a different airline because I cannot afford to wait 9 days anyways (financially and practically)