Section 75 cover of cancelled flights or hotel bookings due to COVID restrictions

84Reason

Hello,
My wife and I are looking to book our honeymoon May 2022. AirBNB is who we are going to use and most likely EasyJet. I have seen from AirBNB that the host accepts full refunds from cancellations up until 5 days before the booking, however it does not mention anything about covid cancellations so we are clarifying this with them. EasyJet states any booking affect by COVID restrictions will be refunded or travel voucher provided. I had a nightmare march 2020 obtaining a refund from a package holiday so as much as it is nice that they are offering these things, I do not trust them and am suspicious of them finding a way to wriggle out of it. Obviously section 75 is protection from most goods not delivered however if a company states they do not provide refunds for covid travel bans (airbnb state this, it is potentially only the host offering cancellations) then would the section 75 be upheld? I cannot find any specific documentation on it from my card provider (Amex cashback platinum). I have spoken to them and they have stated that they would certianly let me raise a section 75 claim and would reach out to the hotel/airbnb but they would not comment if they would reiburse us. I would ideally like this extra layer of protection, can anybody offer me any information on if this also has to be upheld or if there are exceptions for covid like everything else?

lisyloo

Section 75 can only be used to enforce what the company should have provided.
So if they say - covid refunds and don't provide (after a reasonable period) then you could use 75.
If they say - NO covid refunds then you wouldn't be able to use it to enforce something you are not entitled to.

I would advise you to get arrangements with covid cancellations directly with the provider or insurance that would cover it if you going abroad.
Either confirm with this B&B or find something else.

[Deleted User]

Section 75 only gives you the same rights against the card provider as the retailer.

So it's only of use if the retailer fails to deliver but won't refund.

onashoestring

What do you mean by Covid cancellation- if it is because you test positive and can’t go on holiday - you will need travel insurance that covers this.

If it’s because country closes it’s borders to UK - it’s unlikely you will be covered by airBNB, since the property will still be available. This also applies if UK were to ban travel .

You will need a package deal to protect against these scenarios.

[Deleted User]

Insurance is a better bet, make sure it covers these kinds of cancellations.

You can do a chargeback as well but you need to be sure you are in the right (i.e. they broke the terms of the contract, or the terms were unreasonable).

84Reason

Thanks all, I will look into insurance however I'm pretty sure non will cover for covid. I can check for package deals but doubt there would be one that includes an AirBNB. Thanks for all the help.

lisyloo

84Reason said:

Thanks all, I will look into insurance however I'm pretty sure non will cover for covid. I can check for package deals but doubt there would be one that includes an AirBNB. Thanks for all the help.

Why does it have to be an Air BNB?

A package gives you protection if the whole package cannot be delivered.
If you book separately then they are separate arrangements and it's not the fault of the accomodation if you can't get there as they are not linked in any way.
The protection from the package is much greater so much more suitable in the present environment.

84Reason

[Deleted User] said:

Insurance is a better bet, make sure it covers these kinds of cancellations.

You can do a chargeback as well but you need to be sure you are in the right (i.e. they broke the terms of the contract, or the terms were unreasonable).

Yeah just had a look, seems to offer a little more protection e.g. if I get COVID, however nothing offers protection should the country go into lockdown on either end. 

84Reason

lisyloo said:

84Reason said:

Thanks all, I will look into insurance however I'm pretty sure non will cover for covid. I can check for package deals but doubt there would be one that includes an AirBNB. Thanks for all the help.

Why does it have to be an Air BNB?

A package gives you protection if the whole package cannot be delivered.
If you book separately then they are separate arrangements and it's not the fault of the accomodation if you can't get there as they are not linked in any way.
The protection from the package is much greater so much more suitable in the present environment.

We want somewhere with self-catering as we are bringing our daughter (she'll be 1 years old at the time of the holiday) and she'll be eating food however the reasturant & hotel meals are all high salt content which isn't good for young children. It may be something we have to consider however for now will awaiting response from airbnb host. 

84Reason

It looks as though the AirBNB have stated we can cancel with a full refund up to 5 days beforehand regardless of the reason, so hopefully that, combined with the easy jet policy, we should be okay. Or very unlucky to see lockdown happen in the 5 days between those dates.....

emmajones1976

S75 is not a silver bullet.

It is not the fault of the Air BnB if government restrictions stop you flying to get to it.
It is not the fault of the airlines if government restrictions stop you using their flights.

As already said, book a package. Self catering packages exist.