Rights when flights cancelled but hotels not (UK to Switzerland)

Spuddy88

Hi all
Anyone have any experience of rights in the following situation. We booked five Swiss hotels in January through Booking.com to stay 11 to 21 July . Last week Swiss Air cancelled our flights, so we can't get there. The hotels refuse to cancel the booking as they're open. Our insurance are saying we can't claim, they've said we need to go back and quote competition and markets authority at the hotels. They've also said that we can't claim if the hotels offer to move the date or give a voucher, despite the fact we can't get it to work.  We're a bit peeved with insurance as renewed with them because they told us we'd be covered so we'll be following that up separately. Does anyone know if the CMA has any clout to non- UK companies? Also, is our insurance trying to swerve a pay out as wondering why we have  insurance if it doesn't cover this kind of thing (we bought pre covid). Any advice gratefully received

DCFC79

Spuddy88 said:

Hi all
Anyone have any experience of rights in the following situation. We booked five Swiss hotels in January through Booking.com to stay 11 to 21 July . Last week Swiss Air cancelled our flights, so we can't get there. The hotels refuse to cancel the booking as they're open. Our insurance are saying we can't claim, they've said we need to go back and quote competition and markets authority at the hotels. They've also said that we can't claim if the hotels offer to move the date or give a voucher, despite the fact we can't get it to work.  We're a bit peeved with insurance as renewed with them because they told us we'd be covered so we'll be following that up separately. Does anyone know if the CMA has any clout to non- UK companies? Also, is our insurance trying to swerve a pay out as wondering why we have  insurance if it doesn't cover this kind of thing (we bought pre covid). Any advice gratefully received

Nope the CMA have no clout over non UK firms.
Your just choosing not to go, you could always see if you can get other flights out.
When did you buy the insurance policy ?
Martin mentioned something on This Morning which might be of use, see if you can get it on ITV player.

Spuddy88

Thank you, will have a look for the interview. We can't get other flights sadly. Insurance bought May 2019, renewed with same t&cs in May 2020.

Mrsn

If the insurance are refusing to pay (and many are) then you have no other recourse with this. 

The hotel are able to provide their service and they really aren’t bothered how you get there as harsh as that sounds.

It is the pitfall of not booking a package I’m afraid, there is far less protection. 

Spuddy88

Thank you for your time. Sadly I think we know this to be the case but had a glimmer of hope when the flights were cancelled. A lesson has been learnt, although touch wood, this is the first time we've had a problem travelling. 

sheramber

Does your policy cover not being able to travel due to FCO advice. If so you should able to claim for that. If you are covered then follow the complaints procedure which should be detailed in your policy .

macman

Have you looked at other means of travel? Other airlines, train via Eurostar? The latter to, say, Geneva is an easy 8 hour journey, with only one change in Paris. Factor in travel to the airport, 2 hours check in and travel back from the airport, and there's probably less than an hour's difference between the 2: and it's a lot more scenic by train.