Booking for Euro Disney

sbworcs01

Hoping someone here can help advise.  

Earlier in the year we clubbed together to buy my Niece a trip to Eurodisney for 2 (package including FLYbe flights and hotel accommodation.  Obviously FLYbe went out of business and we rebooked with new Air France flights from Heathrow (Birmingham alternative flights would have lost nearly 2 full days - had to pay an extra cost for this.

Now with the government advising against all but essential travel to France we have contacted our travel agent (Co-Operative) for advice on options.  They have said that Disney are not cancelling holidays and if we want to change the date or anything else there would be a fee of £134 plus booking new flights as they are non-refundable (it does say this on the original paperwork).

Not sure why Disney are not cancelling given that other tour operators (EasyJet holidays etc) are cancelling their French destinations as far as I am aware.

My main query is what rights, if any, do we have given that travelling against government advice would invalidate any insurance policies (unfortunately policy does not cover COVID related reasons) so they cannot really go. 

My understanding was this was sold as a package to them but they were not given an ABTA certificate at time of booking and wonder now if it was sold as a "package" in name only?
We have an appointment to go and see the Travel Agents on Saturday and would like to go forearmed with some information in case they try to fob us off.

Any advice gratefully received!

[Deleted User]

Were they given an ATOL certificate at time of booking stating package?    You don't say when the holiday is planned for?  Advice may change between now and then but generally IF they have a package holiday and their flight/s (either one) are cancelled then they should be entitled to a refund of the lot.   If, however, the planes are flying to schedule, Disney is open then they would not be entitled to a refund or deferment.   The most they may get is a rebooking out of goodwill but that is dependent on the airlines and Disney, not the Travel Agent.  The TA's will have paid over the money.   

It is really tough situation to be in.    They are in fact, snookered, as you say, many insurance policies invalidate insurance if they travel against FCO advice!   Which is the confusing bit as the same ones will often not insurance you FOR FCO advice either!    It is all in the detail (small print).  Something many of us pay no heed to but obviously will scrutinise from now on in!     Fingers crossed the advice changes prior to travel.

sheramber

 Flights will still be  going as some people need to travel and French as well as other nationalities can still visit Eurodisney.

jon81uk

Claim from your travel insurance as FCO advise against travel.

sheramber

jon81uk said:

Claim from your travel insurance as FCO advise against travel.

The OP has already said  his insurance doesn't cover FCO advice against  travel. Not all policies do , as many people have discovered this year.

pjcox2005

Also as an add on, whilst Euro Disney is open none of the parades or meet and greets etc are on so there is a lot of reduced activities there which isn't actually shown that clearly.
We've just booked for December but on doing so the terms were clear that we can cancel and get refunded without any reason (ours will be if those elements aren't back) so I'm surprised they're not helping currently on historical bookings.

[Deleted User]

pjcox2005 said:

We've just booked for December but on doing so the terms were clear that we can cancel and get refunded without any reason (ours will be if those elements aren't back) so I'm surprised they're not helping currently on historical bookings.

I'm not surprised t.b.h.       In order to get the travel industry up and running with new bookings there has to be some sort of 'guarantee' otherwise people simply will not book,  but for those who booked previously they will be bound by the t's and c's they booked with, which doesn't allow for refund if the flights and/or accommodation are available to them.  Harsh?   Maybe?  but no way could most travel agents afford to repay the thousands upon thousands of people who will, essentially be classed as  'disinclined to travel',  out of their own funds.  This is where insurance would kick in IF, people had taken appropriate insurance out and many didn't as this situation was never envisaged.  

sbworcs01

Thanks for feedback.  I will see what they say when we go in tomorrow.  Interestingly on the first letter that came with the initial booking it said "pleased to enclose confirmation from tour operator and your ATOL certificate" - can't find this!
Latest letter just says "pleased to enclose confirmation from tour operator" no mention of ATOL certificate