Credit card claims

Sms105

Hi!
We have a ski chalet booked in France in Feb. We paid for it on our Mastercard. 

Mastercard is saying that if we can’t travel, then they won’t pay out because the chalet owner is still able to provide the chalet (it just so happens that we can’t get there).
Are they right? 

Our travel insurance doesn’t cover changes to govt rules and the chalet owner says he won’t refund or postpone our booking.
Do we have any avenues here?
Thanks! 

cx6

yes that is correct - if the chalet is 'open' then it is not their fault you can't get there

If they could re-let it to someone else that week you could then ask them to refund you.

also, check what the booking t&c say about cancellation

things may in any case change by feb!

onashoestring

Mastercard are correct - they CC claims cover if there has been a breach of contract, which does not apply in this case. 

Chalet owner is also correct, the chalet is available so any refund or change to a later date would be purely down to a goodwill gesture on their part, not something that they are required to do (unless they cancel the booking) 

Travel Insurance would have been your only option if you had chosen a policy that covers this scenario.

Maybe France will relax the rules by Feb and you will be able to travel ? 

CKhalvashi

It's possible that France will have relaxed the restrictions by February, in fact I was surprised at how painless French immigration was on Thursday bearing in mind the new rules had just been announced.

Unfortunately you entered into a contract for a non-refundable service without insurance to adequately cover you. Your CC issuer will only cover a breach of contract, however from what you have posted, you have paid for exclusive use of a chalet and this will be provided to you, whether you will use it or not.

mattyprice4004

Correct - why should the chalet owner be out of pocket because you're coming from a country that isn't allowed to travel into France? 
That's a 'you' issue, not a 'them' issue. If your insurance won't cover it, you're out of options and you'll just need to hope travel is allowed when the time comes. 

cx6

Although it is French law I suspect it may be the same as here - the chalet owner does have a duty to mitigate their losses and try and re-let it. Yes they can charge admin fees, advertising costs, incidentals etc but should refund you the balance if they successfully re-let..