Refund on trip

flashgirl

Hi. I wonder if someone can help me. We have paid for our teenage son to attend 11 night school trip to a country that borders Ukraine. Sadly since we originally signed him up for it, the war has started. We really don’t feel comfortable with him going, however the school is still insisting that they are going ahead with the trip. We have been refused a refund. We are pulling out because the circumstances have change drastically and we are worried about the uncertainty and safety. Can anyone advised if we have any grounds to a refund? We asked if they could change the location but they said no. Thanks.

Aylesbury_Duck

Unless the terms of the booking explicitly allow for a change of mind refund then no, you have no right to a refund,

Ergates

There are 7 countries bordering Ukraine.
Russia is, obviously, not at risk from Russia, and I highly doubt a school trip to Russia would still be taking place
Belarus is Russian's buddy, so not at risk, and I also highly doubt there would be a school trip to Belarus.

Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland are members of Nato - which means that if Russia attacked any of those countries then we're in World War 3, and your son would be no safer at home as we're all doomed.

That leaves Moldova.

So, unless your son's school trip is to Moldova, you don't really have much to be worried about.

SavingThosePennies

Can't imagine you have grounds for a refund if the country they're visiting isn't at war. You've just changed your mind about a trip.

400ixl

Unless the government is advising against travel to that specific country you have very little in the way of grounds to cancel for a refund.

Which country is the trip to? Most of Ukraines neighbours are at little to no risk from Russia due to their NATO status and some are a long way from war zones as Ukraine is a big country itself.

flashgirl

400ixl said:

Unless the government is advising against travel to that specific country you have very little in the way of grounds to cancel for a refund.

Which country is the trip to? Most of Ukraines neighbours are at little to no risk from Russia due to their NATO status and some are a long way from war zones as Ukraine is a big country itself.

Hi there. It is Romania. Thanks for responding. 

flashgirl

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your responses!!!

user1977

What's made you think travel to Romania is unsafe? I haven't seen that suggested anywhere.

Current FCO travel advice is here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/romania

mattyprice4004

Romania is fine. You can cancel but you’re not entitled to a refund. 

Ergates

flashgirl said:

400ixl said:

Unless the government is advising against travel to that specific country you have very little in the way of grounds to cancel for a refund.

Which country is the trip to? Most of Ukraines neighbours are at little to no risk from Russia due to their NATO status and some are a long way from war zones as Ukraine is a big country itself.

Hi there. It is Romania. Thanks for responding. 

As said above - Romania is a NATO country.  An attack on any NATO country is an attack on all NATO countries.  If Russia attacks Romania they *we* (the UK) will be at war with Russia.

This means that 1)  It is very unlikely and 2) If it does happen, then nowhere in Europe is safe.  Or probably anywhere else on earth.

sheramber

My son  lives in Romania and although things were a bit unsettled at the beginning it has settled down now.