New York trip still on? Help!

rvh123

Hi there! I’m due to be flying to JFK next week for a 4 day trip from Heathrow but we are confused by the rules - the flight is still going ahead yet we won’t be permitted entry into the USA as we are UK citizens. The airline isn’t being particularly helpful as it seems like we’ve slipped through the cracks so any advice would be so helpful!

rvh123

Please help

Browntoa

Which airline ? 

When was it booked ? 

Was it flights only or part of s package ? 

Caz3121

did you book direct with the airline or via a third party?
does your travel insurance cover not travelling due FCDO advice?
many airlines are offering a date change (pay the difference) or voucher in these circumstances (not refunds)

Ben1989

You will not slip through the cracks, you will be absolutely be denied entry onto the flight. Even if your ESTA is still 'active'. British citizens travelling from the UK are banned from the United States. However, there are exceptions to the ban. These exceptions are for things such being a US citizen, direct family of a US citizen, taking care of dead relatives in US etc. That's why the flight remains operational and not cancelled.

You will be banned if you cannot prove beyond reasonable doubt you fall into the exceptions. I'm presuming you're purely going for vacation...

Now it falls into when you placed your flight, who you placed it with etc to look into which avenue to receive some compensation because you will not gain entry onto the flight or into the US.

rvh123

Thanks for the replies @Browntoa, @Caz3121 and @Ben1989. We're flying with Virgin Atlantic and it was booked in December 2019 through Travel Trolley. It is 100% a holiday, and we won't fall within the exceptions. Currently the flight is still scheduled to go ahead, so our insurance doesn't cover it. So stuck as to what to do!

Caz3121

Start by looking at what Virgin have as waivers (rebooking or open ticket) https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/news/coronavirus/no-change-fees-policy.html
As you did not book direct you will need to deal with Travel Trolley to make your request as they are the airline's customer
When you say it is a holiday...was this booked as a flight + hotel or as flight only?
If the former, do you have an ATOL certificate?

rvh123

Thanks @Caz31210 - will check that out now. Classic situation of Travel Trolley saying we need to speak to Virgin, and Virgin saying we need to talk to TT!!

rvh123

and sorry forgot to say, flight only

Caz3121

Virgin won't deal with you as you are not their customer. You will need to work with Travel Trolley and they will be the middleman between you and the airline - what they can do will be determined by what the airline is offering

Ben1989

Good luck. Keep us informed with progress. There are very helpful people on this site.