Coronavirus - Non-refundable flights and hotel booking. What can I do?

KPLAT

Hi. In January I independently booked economy flights to Munich direct with Lufthansa and a hotel stay through Booking.com for June 17th . Lufthansa have just cancelled the flights but they point out that they were sold as non-refundable and want us to re-book. The hotel was also non-refundable. I paid in full on credit card and travel insurance was in place at the time. Given that  the airline has cancelled the flights and that we are currently advised against travelling by both the UK and German governments, should they not be making an exception? At the moment we do not want to travel in the foreseeable  future. Does anyone think that I would be successful either claiming on the card or the insurance? The insurer's site advises pursuing the matter with the companies and the card issuer first. Thanks.

bagand96

Lufthansa will refund your flights.  They have to by law, they have cancelled them, they owe you a refund. It doesn't matter what the ticket conditions say (they apply if you instigate the cancellation).  The Lufthansa website, like most other airlines, is deliberately designed to persuade you into taking a voucher or moving your booking.  But if you call Lufthansa they will put the refund request in, be prepared to wait a long time for it though.

The hotel may be more challenging.  Whilst it's not your fault you can't get there to use it, it's not the hotel's either, and you booked the non-refundable rate.  It might be worth checking whether it's actually open and accepting guests.  If it's closed then they would owe you a refund.  If it is open, then they won't. At that point it would be worth seeing if your travel insurance will cover you.  If it won't then reach out to the hotel, see if they'll make an exception, or even offer a voucher or free date change.

Mrsn

Good advice given above.

It will really depend on the hotel and as pointed out whether it will be open at that point. If it is then anything offered will be just good will... you need to contact them to find out what will be happening with the booking you have.