We cancelled our flights

Chillipepper52

Hi
Last November 2019 we  booked long-haul flights for two adults (£1,100 for us both) with Last.minute.com flying with KLM. We were due to fly out last Monday 2 March. Unfortunately my partner suffers from depression (has been under the care of an NHS Psychiatrist for at least 7 years) & started with an episode four weeks before the holiday. However, my partner agreed  she still wanted to try and go away. However, unfortunately, the Thursday before we were due to fly out on the Monday my partner was getting worse. We had to cancel the flights.  To make matters worse I thought I had booked travel insurance, but found out I hadn't. We paid via an RBS Visa debit card. I left a message on the last minute website, which advised we would hear from them within 72 hours. I've heard nothing. Can anyone please advise? Thank you.

The_Fat_Controller

Even if you had insurance, a pre-existing condition that could have an impact on the ability to travel would have had to have been declared and they may not have covered it anyway.
Most flights booked through the likes of Lastminute are the cheapest non-refundable type unless you have specifically purchased a more flexible ticket.
I think you may have to resign yourself to the fact that you may only get your taxes back less any administration fee.

Chillipepper52

Thank you very much The Fat Controller. I am gutted as £1,100 is alot of money to us. But I appreciate your reply, thank you.

Westin

I also suspect this was a non-refundable ticket. At best probably just a refund of the Air Passenger Duty which for long haul would be £78 pp. LM may however charge a fee to process the refund. Heavy loss - sorry.

TELLIT01

I have to agree that the chances of getting money back are small.  Sorry about your situation, but it does once again emphasise the importance of taking out travel insurance.  There are many companies who will cover pre-existing conditions without charging ridiculously high premiums.  Even if your bank does bundle travel insurance with your account it's highly unlikely to cover pre-existing conditions.

comeandgo

If you plan future holidays could I suggest you book directly with airline and pay a bit more for refundable flights.  They do cost more but you would get your money back or change flights to a later date.

Ganga

Can you contact them and ask if they can move the flights to a later date

Chillipepper52

Westin said:

I also suspect this was a non-refundable ticket. At best probably just a refund of the Air Passenger Duty which for long haul would be £78 pp. LM may however charge a fee to process the refund. Heavy loss - sorry.

Hi Westin, thank you very much for your reply and for mentioning possible refund of the air passenger duty, though with a possible processing fee. I will certainly enquire. Thank you.