Coronavirus travel disruption - latest info and your rights

Aylesbury_Duck

Caseygee said:

Hi. Not sure if this has been asked elsewhere. If my flights are cancelled and I accept vouchers from an airline, what happens if they then go bust before I can use them? Am I covered by my travel insurance? Thanks

Ask your insurer.  No one here will be able to tell you.

paps123

Aylesbury_Duck said:

paps123 said:

Hi I'm not sure where to post and ask about this so I thought I would try here. I had travel insurance booked from last year and the country I was traveling to is now on the FCO list. Every thing was booked independently, so I filled in a insurance claim form with TIF claims. They have responded saying FCO is not covered by my policy. I am a little lost now with no idea what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

We can't really offer any help without knowing where you are heading, when and with which operators.  Have they cancelled or have you?  If you've cancelled it and your insurance doesn't cover you, that's it I'm afraid.

Hi thank you for getting back to me. Me and my family were going to Malaysia and once Malaysia was added to the FCO list I submitted a claim to the insurer thinking they would cover the trip. Unfortunately there response took three weeks and in that time my travel date had passed. Also we had to go into isolation as My mum developed a sever cough, and me and my son also developed coughs and cold like symptoms. So there was no way we could have gone. I'm just shocked that there response was just a simple attached letter saying we don't cover FCO in your policy. No attempt for further contact or investigation were made. I'm just not sure what to do next, this whole situation is just so complex.

clivepocock

HI - My wife and I booked flights to Florida through the travel agent, Voliamo. The flights would have been with United Airlines. Voliamo wont issue a refund because they say United wont issue them a refund. I spoke with United and they say they refunded the travel agent on 30th March. Any ideas on what we can do please ? Thanks

jacsll55

I have flights booked for a holiday in June, here's the response from Etihad (Booked direct with them in Jan)
Reply received 2 days ago "Hi,the current situation and restrictions which are being applied do not fall under normal circumstances. Etihad shall only process refunds as per the cancellation terms agreed at the time of purchase. Any loss you may incur would have to be claimed via travel insurance."

Reply received last week "Hi, for new tickets purchased between 8 March - 7 April guests can avail of one free date change. For tickets purchased prior to this date, if you are due to travel before 30 June 2020 then you may also avail of a free date change to travel before 30 June 20, Alternatively, you may cancel your existing booking and the value of your ticket is protected as credit for future travel to fly up until 31 July 2021. Change fees are waived however fare difference applies. Please see here for full information http://etihad.com/travelalerts

Westin

@clivepocock:  I didn’t think United were actually giving cash refunds, instead giving a credit voucher and rebooking waiver. This appears to tie up with what your travel agent is saying.  Perhaps try United and ask them for written confirmation of this refund (although I suspect they will be very very busy), then reapproach the agent if this evidence is given by UA.   The travel agent will not refund you unless the airline has refunded them.

jenster

hello all,   i still not yet had my holiday officially cancelled  were due to go on the  23rd April  (TUI cruise)   ,  i suspect that will be  as soon as the travel deadline of the 16th  april is extended ,  but today  the car parking and hotel I booked for the night before has now cancelled on us  -  instead of offering a refund they have offered  a voucher for 150% (so not a bad deal)   valid  for  2 years  -  am i obliged to take that  or can i push for a refund  ?

alice94hall

Hi,
I want to book some flights through Delta (operated by Virgin Atlantic) from UK to US in October in the hope everything is up and running as the flights are at a great deal. I'm not concerned about the flights being cancelled as we can rebook for later in year, next year etc. My concern is the airline going bust. Does anybody know what AMEX would do if an airline went bust, you claimed for chargeback on your flights? Noting that the flights would have been booked whilst COVID 19 was going on. Any advice welcome. Thank you. 

Westin

@jenster:
It will depend on the booking terms and conditions you agreed to when booking your Stay & Park deal. I would dig those out and reread them.  

If fully flexible and with a clause to allow cancellation and refund, that is what you would be entitled to receive if you did not want the 150% credit voucher.  If a non-refundable rate plan then the deal offered such perhaps be considered a good one.

@alice94hall: Paying by a credit card is certainly the way to go. If you scroll down to the bottom of this (and every MSE page) there is a link to click on which gives lots of good information on how the Section 75 credit card claim protection works.

esphillips72

Two quick questions..
1) My mum has received a letter from her travel agency for holiday in Jersey early May simply saying they are closed so unable to get any update on refund or guidance what to do.
2) I'm due to travel all inclusive to Hvar mid May booked as a package (easyJet flights, hotel and transfers) with FLEETWAY TRAVEL. Their website states not to contact them as they are dealing with enquiries in date order. But reading so many terrible things about the way this agency is robbing everyone off. 
What is the route to take if insurance won't cover you. Do you request a refund from agent  or contact your credit card company or put a small claims court claim in? 
Thanks for any assistance

Westin

@esphillips72:
In both holiday cases there are currently no FCO travel advisories which impact those two trips. There may be in due course but at the moment your actions, as well as those of the travel agent, airline and tour operator are limited.  You may of course cancel if you wish but at this time normal booking conditions would apply.
1.  Wait. But keep in mind above.
2.  Also wait. No refund is due to you at this time as no FCO travel advisory against non-essential travel in May (at this time).  Section 75 cover on a credit card is also not a magic cover-all umbrella. You need to initially deal with Fleetway Travel but only when/if your trip is cancelled.