Flight Cancellation

epm-84

kendo2710 said:

Our British Airways flights to Canada in September were cancelled by British Airways and we received a refund. However, we had associated bookings of (a) hotel in Quebec and (b) Flight from Quebec to Vancouver. These were booked independently through separate agents. Canada is currently barring entry to UK Nationals. We want a refund rather than postponement  as accompanying other couple can't go in future. Travel Insurance firm advises first seeking refund from suppliers or take up any deferred options. How can I best get a refund under this scenario ?

Was your travel insurance in place before mid-March and does it cover cancellation due to FCO advice against travel?  If so they should pay out if the advice is still in place on your planned trip start date.  Don't tell them you aren't going because British Airways have cancelled your flights - tell them you aren't going due to FCO advice and that you have managed to get a full refund from British Airways.

If your insurance doesn't cover you and the hotel is open and the internal flight operates, then you may not get anything further back if you refuse to take up an option to rebook for a later date instead.

Westin

kendo2710 said:

Our British Airways flights to Canada in September were cancelled by British Airways and we received a refund. However, we had associated bookings of (a) hotel in Quebec and (b) Flight from Quebec to Vancouver. These were booked independently through separate agents. Canada is currently barring entry to UK Nationals. We want a refund rather than postponement  as accompanying other couple can't go in future. Travel Insurance firm advises first seeking refund from suppliers or take up any deferred options. How can I best get a refund under this scenario ?

Very politely contact the booking agent and/or hotels and ask if they might extend a free cancellation and refund to you. If you booked non-refundable rate then keep in mind you are asking for goodwill.

If they decline then this becomes an insurance claim. Ask the booking agent/hotel for something in writing (an email should suffice) showing that you have asked and they have refused the request for a refund. This can then be used to support your travel insurance claim.