British Lions Trip to South Africa - Refunds

eganandchips1

Hi 
I have booked flights for the British Lions Tour of South Africa at the end of July 2021 but it looks like it is going to be cancelled now 
I booked them in September 2020 with Lufthansa via the Flight Centre thinking all the COVID situation would be over by then 
The Flight Centre have told me they will refund if the flight is cancelled due to no flights or COVID (although didnt explain what that incorporates) 
I would imagine the flights from London to Cape Town via Frankfurt will be running by then but as the tournament will be cancelled I will be left with 9 unwanted flight tickets 
I have had a look on here and I think the only options available to me will be Section 75 Consumer Credit Act to try and get my money back on the grounds that the event I was scheduled to attend was cancelled. Not sure if a chargeback on the Visa card would work ? 
Any experience or advice would be great - no doubt there are a lot of people in this position as thousands of supporters attend this event 

Thanks all in advanced 

gettingtheresometime

I don't think a chargeback would work especially if the flights are operating & U.K. citizens can enter South Africa.
 

Apparently a decision will be made by the end of next month as to the fate of the tour.

Westin

I agree with above. Sorry but I don’t see a valid S75 or charge back situation. This situation is not the fault of Flight Centre or Lufthansa.

Had you booked a package arrangement which included the sporting event tickets and accommodation then a refund might have been possible under the Package Travel Regulations, but not in the case of separate flights and a separate purchase for the sports event.

As poster above said, wait to see what the situation is end of March from event organiser. In meantime look at LH website to better understand what travel waiver options they might have in place should you need to change your trip. 

eganandchips1

I did read this on here so may be a chance of Section 75 ? 

Westin

Give it a go...
Keep in mind it does say the "one person" managed to secure a refund that way.  We don't have other details. 
If you are successful please report back.

Humphreyshalfmoon

I certainly wouldn't hold up much hope at all but it is your only option. However a claim is based on a breach of contract by the supplier, in this case, the airline and if they are operating the flight, there simply is no basis for a claim

eganandchips1

At the moment the UK Government have said you should NOT travel . . . . does that mean I would have to break the law to travel if nothing changes in terms of travel to South Africa? 

Westin

eganandchips1 said:

At the moment the UK Government have said you should NOT travel . . . . does that mean I would have to break the law to travel if nothing changes in terms of travel to South Africa? 

But unfortunately that is not Lufthansa or Flight Centres fault or problem. As Alan-Bowen has pointed out, neither have breached their side of the contract which is why we are dubious about the viability of a S75 claim.

Things may be different by July and the current FCDO travel advisory may be different.

As one of the earlier posters mentioned, probably best to wait to hear from the event organiser if the tour will continue or not, then worry about it.

eganandchips1

I checked my flight status this morning and Lufthansa have cancelled the flight we booked from Frankfurt to London on the way home and put us on an earlier flight . . . . I guess they can make as many changes as they want

Looks like the terms and conditions on their website have changed aswell this morning although I think this will benefit us now as we could change our flights (booked Sept 2020) with no charge fee (I guess The Flight Centre as an agent adhere to this?) 

We are now considering travelling to South Africa in 2022 to see Wales' Summer Tour so hopefully we can re-arrange flights based on the those conditions 

eganandchips1

Just to let you know the update .....

Following an email to the Flight Centre this week I had a phone call today to say that 6 out of the 10 people can have a full refund of all the flights as Lufthansa have cancelled our Return Frankfurt to London part of the flight deal and put us on a flight 1 hour later.. I had to ask him twice to make sure but it is the case but if any flight is cancelled you are entitled to a FULL refund of all flights within your travel - So good news for the 6 

Fingers crossed for the other 4 now 

Just waiting for the official Tour cancelation now which should be next week and then I will be putting in writing for the refund - I was told they are around 3 months from Lufthansa 

photome

eganandchips1 said:

Just to let you know the update .....

Following an email to the Flight Centre this week I had a phone call today to say that 6 out of the 10 people can have a full refund of all the flights as Lufthansa have cancelled our Return Frankfurt to London part of the flight deal and put us on a flight 1 hour later.. I had to ask him twice to make sure but it is the case but if any flight is cancelled you are entitled to a FULL refund of all flights within your travel - So good news for the 6 

Fingers crossed for the other 4 now 

Just waiting for the official Tour cancelation now which should be next week and then I will be putting in writing for the refund - I was told they are around 3 months from Lufthansa 

Why only 6 out of 10