Travel for Tokyo Marathon... Event Canceled. Recouping Flights etc?

Lost_Prophet

Hi,
We're due to travel to Tokyo next Wednesday. I was due to do the marathon. However, the event is canceled due to the risks of the Corona Virus.
I have a high cover of travel insurance, but they have said that insurance does not cover global epidemics such as this. Does anyone have any advice here, please?
Our only exposure to non-cancellable items are:

1. Flights, £1,300 made with ANA via LastMinute.com (paid for on a Credit Card). ANA will not allow changes or refunds. LastMinute are exploring options but said they may take 7 days over it (too late)
2. £190 Disneyland tickets which may be refundable under the circumstances (NOT paid for on a Credit Card)
3. £60 Train tickets to the airport (paid for on a Credit Card)
4. £138.49 + £760.98 Charitable Donation for the Marathon entry which TBH, I'm willing to lose as its a good cause plus Tokyo Marathon are giving paid entries next year

All hotels have either granted free cancellation or were in the period of free cancellation. I'm just trying to recover as much as possible, but fear that my only option is a "Credit Card Dispute" which may not guarantee I get it all back
FYI - If it was just me and wife, we'd still go. But we are taking our 8-month-old daughter and don't want to risk her with the virus. TBH, she will be better off going next year too

The_Fat_Controller

Why do you think you have any right to a credit card dispute ?

cubegame

Your 8 month old daughter is not thought to be in a high risk group.

For future reference, don't book a flight with an agent. Lastminute will happily reduce any refund of taxes that you would be able to get to practically nothing.

heatherw_01

You can't do a credit card dispute at all. That is not for things like this.
Just because an event has been cancelled does not give you the right to dispute the rest of the trip that has not yet been affected, with your bank.

Lost_Prophet

OK, it seems I've misunderstood. I had the understanding that this is the kind of thing that Credit Cards help to protect you against (i.e. a situation that is entirely out of your control and that the card company as a joint liability?). It is arguably not safe to travel to Asia right now 

I called the Credit Card company yesterday to assess options and they said that I can raise a dispute on the transaction (flights) but to explore Travel Insurance and Merchants first

Westin

As others have correctly pointed out, you have no rights to claim under the section 75 provision from your credit card provider.

I think all you can do is to politely address the matter with each supplier and ask if they would generously refund you or allow you to defer use to another time.

bradders1983

Lost_Prophet said:

OK, it seems I've misunderstood. I had the understanding that this is the kind of thing that Credit Cards help to protect you against (i.e. a situation that is entirely out of your control and that the card company as a joint liability?). It is arguably not safe to travel to Asia right now 

I called the Credit Card company yesterday to assess options and they said that I can raise a dispute on the transaction (flights) but to explore Travel Insurance and Merchants first

The UK Government havent advised against travel to Japan, have they?

heatherw_01

The fco have not advised against travel to Japan even with the outbreak: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan

Claiming back on cards is usually for when companies go bust or if you don't get what you paid for

The_Fat_Controller

The only time a credit card becomes jointly liable is if the goods are not provided as per the contract, your flights and train tickets are still available to you, it is your decision not to use them.

Dr_Crypto

Why don’t you go and have a holiday? I don’t think Japan is at particular high risk of the virus and unless you and your family are in poor health there shouldn’t be a huge risk to you I don’t think. 

Lost_Prophet

heatherw_01 said:

The fco have not advised against travel to Japan even with the outbreak: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan

Claiming back on cards is usually for when companies go bust or if you don't get what you paid for

I'm torn. Chargeback yes, Section 75 though refers to service quality or goods/services not received. I would not be getting / have not got what I paid for (1) Tokyo Marathon have taken the fees and are not providing a refund for a now-canceled marathon (2) I've made best endeavors to reach an agreement with the airline and agency under circumstances which they should understand (i.e. even pushing my flight back by 12 months is a more than acceptable option to me) but the service will likely go un-used because of the travel advice.

They are not saying "do not travel" but to only travel if necessary. This is not necessary travel.

Thing I find strange is that in exploring all possible options, the Credit Card companies (AMEX/Virgin) have been said they can raise a dispute if I exhaust all other avenues.

Anyway, is there any other guidance here? Reaching out to AMEX/Virgin is a complete last resort. A global epidemic is in the travel insurance exclusions just like natural disasters but surely, that is just ridiculous?