Is it smart to book accommodation using a credit card instead of a debit car?

Lord_Frugal12

Hello! 

  I have to be in Canada for a month in September.  I already booked the flight tickets.  Now, I am struggling to find the right accommodation. I am afraid of losing the money if the Coronavirus situation worsens in the UK or Canada a few days before I fly.  After September 7, 2021, UK travellers are allowed to visit Canada for non-essential reasons. So, here are my questions: 

1. If I book a room in a house with a provider such as Airbnb, would I be smart in using a credit card? Airbnb does not give refunds due to any COVID-related travel disruptions. 
But, if I book the accommodation using a credit card, would I be able to get the money back from the credit card provider?     

2. If refunds were to be impossible to get, would it be better to wait until early September to book an accommodation?  

  I would appreciate any advice, especially from those who might be considering travelling to Canada from the UK next month. 

Caz3121

Credit card will protect you if the supplier goes out of business or if you are entitled to a refund but the supplier does not provide it. If you are not entitled to a refund then using a credit card would not change that and they would not pay
Either find accommodation you can book on a refundable rate, wait to book or find travel insurance that may cover you.

CKhalvashi

You will still be bound by the contract for S75, and therefore won't have any additional protection if you need to cancel a non-refundable rate, but will in other areas.

As Caz says, you need either refundable accommodation or travel insurance to cover Covid-related cancellations if not travelling on a package.

Lord_Frugal12

Thanks for this advice. 

 Now, the challenge is to find the best travel insurance policy! Any recommendations? 

eskbanker

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/

Lord_Frugal12

eskbanker said:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/

thank you. 

michael1234

No question that booking by credit card gives you more options and rights. Booking via Paypal also gives you more options than via debit card.

Legally and theoritically yes all are the same but in practice if you book via credit card and/or paypal you wield an additional stick to protect you. Don't let any merchants tell you otherwise !

eskbanker

michael1234 said:

No question that booking by credit card gives you more options and rights.

Section 75 obviously only applies to credit card purchases rather than debit card ones, but the point being made above was that it offers no protection in the scenario OP was painting, where there is no breach of contract by the supplier, so a credit card doesn't give more options and rights in that specific situation, unless you're thinking of something other than s75?

michael1234 said:

Legally and theoritically yes all are the same but in practice if you book via credit card and/or paypal you wield an additional stick to protect you. Don't let any merchants tell you otherwise !

Why would merchants tell anyone otherwise?  Section 75 grants incremental rights against the card provider rather than the merchant, so the latter isn't bothered one way or the other....

hillcats

michael1234 said:

... Booking via Paypal also gives you more options than via debit card.

Be very careful doing such important transactions via PayPal, they are only an 'intermediary' and passing the money onwards. I'm sure you lose all rights going via Paypal as then the transaction is not 'direct' between you and the vendor. 
Personally speaking, I dislike Paypal and don't trust them at all, used for the most basic of transactions like buying on eBay nothing else