Refund denied by Eurostar and told we need to have a voucher

bwoolven

In mid-January myself and my partner booked a holiday to Paris through Eurostar (train and hotel) for 20-23 March this year. Once we were closer to the departure date, and realising because of Covid we weren't going to be able to travel, rather than wait until nearer the travel date to see if our journey would ultimately be cancelled we accepted a voucher from them for the value of the holiday as this was available on their website. Now that Covid looks like it's here to last we've requested the voucher be exchanged for a refund and, guess what, Eurostar have said we can't do that. The reason they've stated is "When submitting the eVoucher request you did agree that your booking would be cancelled, and all passengers would be provided with an eVoucher to replace it. As such I am unable to now reverse this and offer you a refund as you no longer have a train reservation with us."
Can anyone tell us precisely what our consumer rights are in this situation? The holiday wasn't cheap (approx £450) so we'd very much like the money back rather than a voucher for future travel.

Thanks 
Barry
 

Manxman_in_exile

I take it you cancelled rather than they did?  What did the T&Cs of the original booking say about your rights to cancel it?  I suspect that if you voluntarily chose to accept "a voucher... as this was available on their website", then you are probably stuck with the voucher.  Before cancelling did you make any attempt to check what you would be entitled to?

Aylesbury_Duck

If you accepted a voucher, I can't see that you now have a right to exchange it for cash.