Booked Flights to Thailand in April.

jamesflood

Hi folks,
I have flights to Thailand booked for April, I booked them back in August through a company called Flightcatchers (through Skyscanner), with Qatar Airways
Current restrictions in Thailand means that we cannot enter the country, only Thai nationals can, plus a few other exceptions.
The situation there/here may change by April, but if it doesn't, how can I claim my money back if the flight still goes ahead transporting Thai nationals?
A refund may not be the case, the country may open back up and we may get to go, but do I have a leg to stand on when asking for a refund? It was booked with a Debit card, and I didn't have an insurance policy out before I booked it (and still don't) 
Any help is much appreciated, be awful to loose £1000 worth of flights.
Thanks all!

soolin

Far too early to be worrying, wait until nearer the time as things change day to day. However, if flights go ahead then it is likely to be dependent on your ticket conditions, did you buy a fully refundable flexi or similar ticket ? If not you may we’ll be looking at losing your money. 

jamesflood

I personally dont think its far too early to be worrying, April is literally around the corner and with Wales going into immediate complete lockdown tonight, I cant see Thailand wanting to open up its borders to the Brits any time soon! Their status hasn't changes for months and we are at the worst state of Covid we have been in! I think I need to act now. They are not flexi type tickets, sadly Just straight there and back.

jamesflood

So ive just found out that the GovUK website is outdated. This is from the Thai Embassy. Theres a lot of hoops to jump through, but there's currently a 14 day quarantine in a dedicated hotel required when you land. 

For tourism purpose (single entry tourist visa and special tourist visa)

While Thailand still puts in place travel restriction, tourists who meet the requirements below can apply for single entry tourist visa and special tourist visa at www.thaievisa.go.th and the Certificate of Entry to go to Thailand.  

Required documents : 

Tourist visa (single entry) : for stay up to 60 days with possible one-time extension of 30 days)

1. Your passport copy 
2. Travel booking confirmation
3. Proof of accommodation in Thailand e.g. hotel booking, invitation letter from family or friend in Thailand (All tourists are subject to 15-day quarantined at ASQ hotels at their own expenses.)
4. UK/Irish bank statements with sufficient fund to cover your trip to Thailand
5. Confirmation of legal residence in the UK or Ireland (if applicants are not nationals of these countries) e.g. long stay visa, residence permit, BRP card
6. Copy of health insurance policy which covers COVID-19 related medical expenses in Thailand no less than 100,000 USD for the whole period of your stay in Thailand

What you need to present at airlines check-in counter and upon arrival in Thailand:

1. The Certificate of Entry 
2. Declaration form 
3. Fit to Fly health certificate, issued within 72 hours before departure – this is a statement by a doctor that you are free from symptoms and fit to fly (must be separate from COVID test)
4. COVID-19 test result, with a laboratory output indicating that COVID -19 is not detected (COVID test must be by RT-PCR method), issued within 72 hours before departure
5. Copy of your health insurance policy which covers COVID-19 and no less than 100,000 USD
6. Copy of your confirmed booking at an ASQ hotel
7. T.8 form 
8. Declaration form

Puddings

How long are you going for? Thai quarantine is strict not like ours (!), you'll be picked up from the airport and taken to the hotel where you will not be allowed to leave your room, meals are left outside your door. After 4 days and a further negative test you'll be allowed some fresh air for a short period each day. And you get to pay for  the pleasure, around £1-2k from ex-pat reports. I'm following everything closely, my family are there and I'm desperate to see them. 

jamesflood

We are staying for 10 nights. There's no way I can see us going. Things aren't going to get better in 4 months to the point where all restrictions are lifted. Id just really like a refund for the flights at this point. I spoke to Flightcatchers and they cant refund me without Qatars approval. Gonna try and ring them now.

Puddings

I agree, no way is Thailand going to let us in for some time yet... I really hope you manage to get a refund although you may be in for a bit of a fight especially if the flight still goes.  

MiserlyMartin

I feel for you OP. You would hope and think that in these times you cannot be sure if a country will let you in or not due to the covid thing, that the airlines would show goodwill and allow cancellations and refunds if covid has disrupted travel plans. In fact, it ought to be made law.

Thrugelmir

MiserlyMartin said:

I feel for you OP. You would hope and think that in these times you cannot be sure if a country will let you in or not due to the covid thing, that the airlines would show goodwill and allow cancellations and refunds if covid has disrupted travel plans. In fact, it ought to be made law.

In the middle of a global pandemic people have to accept responsibilty for their own decisions. Not expect someone else to bail them out. Nor bother to read the terms and conditions of the contract before booking. 

sheramber

What were the restrictions in place  when you booked? If they were the same then you took a risk booking at that time.
 

[Deleted User]

jamesflood said:

I personally dont think its far too early to be worrying, April is literally around the corner and with Wales going into immediate complete lockdown tonight, I cant see Thailand wanting to open up its borders to the Brits any time soon! Their status hasn't changes for months and we are at the worst state of Covid we have been in! I think I need to act now. They are not flexi type tickets, sadly Just straight there and back.

Well it might not be too early to start worrying but, going on the info you have supplied, you are highly unlikely to get anywhere with a request for a refund (non flexible tickets, no insurance).   

You will have to wait until nearer time of travel and then see what your options are.   If your flights go ahead then a credit might be as much as you will get but that depends on the airline and how generous they are feeling.  Obviously if your flight is cancelled you will be eligible for a refund. Nobody will know just now.