Flights not cancelled but I can't fly due to quarantine rules as I am a key worker

lrenwick22

We booked a holiday through Love Holidays for the October half term after lockdown lifted and it was declared safe to fly. 4 weeks later Malta was put on the no fly list. We are due to go in two weeks, Ryan Air have not cancelled our flights so we will not get a refund.  However, because restrictions changed after I had booked, does that not give me some get out clause? I am a key worker and therefore cannot take the time off after the holiday to quarantine. What are my rights in this situation?

eskbanker

If you have to cancel rather than the supplier doing so, then the only option you have for redress is via your travel insurance.

bagand96

Unfortunately LoveHolidays are not one of the companies who are cancelling holidays if Government advice is against all but essential travel.  Some companies are, but it's generally the proper tour operators like TUI and Jet2Holidays, rather than the Online Travel Agents.

There is some debate about this, but the Package and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 don't specifically say customers have the right to cancel if FCO advice is against travel.  There's more information here https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/#booked

It seems LoveHolidays will "help" by liaising with suppliers on their refund options.  So you may get the hotel money back if you cancel - but it might depend what the terms of the booking were. https://www.loveholidays.com/faq/questions/message-to-customers-about-changing-fco-guidance/ 

If the flight goes ahead then Ryanair will not refund you.  They may let you move your booking without paying a change fee, which might be the best option to mitigate any loss.

Final option would be insurance, although given you booked after Covid-19, it's highly unlikely you would have any cover, but would be worth checking at least.

bradders1983

Your employment is irrelevant, just throwing that out there.

SweetPotatoPie

Not unless your insurance covered you for COVID..... which I’m presuming it doesn’t if you booked it recently? 

[Deleted User]

If flights going ahead you won't be entitled to a refund unless you booked refundable flights?   If you booked a package holiday with Love Holidays and any component of the holiday cannot be given i.e. hotel closed, flights not going, you would be entitled to a refund of the lot.  Being a key worker has no relevance.  You need to hope some or all of holiday is cancelled  Some insurance policies will cover for FCO advice so check yours.

Thrugelmir

lrenwick22 said:

 I am a key worker and therefore cannot take the time off after the holiday to quarantine. What are my rights in this situation?

None. In this instance it's a risk that everyone takes when making a booking at the current time.  

mattyprice4004

We were still very much in a pandemic when you booked; unfortunately it’s a risk that was taken and it’s not paid off this time. 

See if you can get a refund for the hotel, but Ryanair are notoriously obstinate 

dggar

I am planning to travel to Italy in Jan 2021 for one week.
Present restrictions for entry to Italy are to have a -ve Covid test result within 72 hrs of date of travel. 
Does anyone know of any travel insurance company that would offer cover for cancellation for such a test result that was +ve just before my travel.

Yahoo_Mail

dggar said:

I am planning to travel to Italy in Jan 2021 for one week.
Present restrictions for entry to Italy are to have a -ve Covid test result within 72 hrs of date of travel. 
Does anyone know of any travel insurance company that would offer cover for cancellation for such a test result that was +ve just before my travel.

Probably none.  Even the "warzone" insurers will only cover you if you catch it whilst on holiday, not before.

Thrugelmir

Risk factor can only be multiplying by the day. Second wave hasn't hit yet.