Center Parcs Europe not refunding for booking beginning 3 April

balinahal

For our booking in Center Parcs in Holland, they have cancelled our stay for week beginning 3 April, and have offered us vouchers for a stay further in the year. This is not going to be possible, as we are 2 families going, and dates won't match again for a while. They won't give us a refund. Any thoughts as to what we can do. Thanks.

dperrands

Hi, I have exactly the same issue here except that I was due to stay at Center Parcs in Paris.  I've rejected their digital voucher on a couple of occasions and also advised them legally that I'm entitled to a refund.  Does anyone have more detailed awareness of the consumer rights here.

DragonQ

I am in the same boat. We're due to go to a Center Parcs in France in May and we've now been told that it 100% won't go ahead and they're only offering us vouchers that only last a year. This is useless to us, for similar reasons as above (2 families, 2 babies on the way too).

How do I proceed from here? I explained the situation using their "complaint" tool that's linked on the COVID-19 help page and just got a stock reply.

I have Nationwide travel insurance and their COVID-19 FAQ says:

My Tour Operator has offered me a travel voucher or credit to re-book my holiday for a later date. If I decline this, will I be able to claim on travel Insurance?

Unfortunately, no. We cannot provide cover for your trip if you decline your travel provider’s offer of vouchers or credit. Ask your travel provider or tour operator to explain all your options before you accept any vouchers or credit notes.

So I'm guessing I can't get the money back via insurance either. Would a credit card chargeback work here? I'm not sure of the legalities regarding refund rights.

DragonQ

Update: I've contacted Center Parcs twice and they just sent stock replies so clearly they're not going to be helpful. I contacted my credit card company and they seem to think I have a strong case for a chargeback, so I've pursued that. They required evidence of the booking, cancellation, evidence of previous contact, and a cover letter with the general situation. It'll take 7-9 weeks though so I guess I'll just hold my breath until then!

spiro

For the 2 of you going to France, France have changed the rules to allow vouchers which can be exchanged for a refund in several months time. The exact regulation number is quoted on here somewhere. Find that and then confirm with Centre Parcs if they applies to you.

Kparky1_2

That is better news. Thank you.
Do you know how to search for the exact regulation number please? 
We were going to France and can't take the voucher because our party of 5 will be a party of 6 and we don't want to travel with new baby.  We took out CP insurance and we paid full amount on credit card.  Hoping for full refund.

dperrands

Hi, 2 days ago i found a 2 day old article explaining where the EU has rejected Germany's attempt to allow companies to issue vouchers instead of a cash refund.  I've chased Center Parcs on this again but i'd rather send a formal email requiring them to address formally instead of responding with their canned retort. Does anyone have any ideas on this?
I can't post links yet but if you paste the below text into google you should find the article.
eu-rejects-germanys-call-to-allow-vouchers-over-refunds-for-canceled-trips/a-53268850

Life__Goes__On

How did you pay?

sn1987a

Did anyone have any progress? I received a voucher for the holidays I had booked in centre parcs Belgium. They said that they were following Belgium's laws about refunds but I can't really check this. 

DCFC79

sn1987a said:

Did anyone have any progress? I received a voucher for the holidays I had booked in centre parcs Belgium. They said that they were following Belgium's laws about refunds but I can't really check this. 

What do you mean you cant really check this ?
If your refering to the language issue you can use Chrome to translate.

Phil_kakarot

I had a holiday booked to centre parcs in the Netherlands next week. I have been chasing a refund as we will not be able to travel/ book(due to personal and financial reasons) within the next year using the voucher they are offering. They have said it's no problem if we book now, the stay can take place at a later date, but I can't see us being able to travel in the next couple years and would like a cash refund. This is what they are now saying:

"The decision was taken by Groupe Pierre & Vacances in consultation with the trade association of the travel companies. In addition to the Center Parcs General Terms and Conditions, the conditions of the voucher offered are in accordance with the HISWA RECRON scheme that has been drawn up in this exceptional situation, after consultation with the Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

A validity date is stated on the voucher. If this date has expired and the voucher has not been validated, the money will be refunded to your account 1 month after this expiry date.

We hope that you will be able to agree with this mutual agreement with the trade association of the travel companies and legal authorities."

So looks like I will have to wait a year for the voucher to expire before I get a refund, is this right? Or can I legally still ask for a cash refund.