Cover if flight cancelled but booked independent villa

keelyann

Hi
Am looking for some advice - we have booked a BA flight - at the moment it is still all ok but obviously this can change at any point. We have booked a villa through Holiday Lettings and the balance is due to be paid tomorrow, and then there is no cancellation.

I am trying to understand if i would be covered by my credit card (if that is how i've paid for the villa) if the flight was cancelled, or if i would have no comeback? I called the credit card company and they are being very vague.

I am also spoken to a travel insurance company and they said this would not be covered, only if we got sick and couldn't travel etc, not because an airline cancelled the flight.

I wondered if anyone had any info on this - the villa is expensive so i'm keen to not be out of pocket by several thousand if BA cancel our flight.

Many thanks
 

comeandgo

Can you upgrade your insurance or buy one that does cover cancellations?  Your credit card would not be liable for your accommodation.  

bagand96

Your credit card won't be of any help.  A chargeback or Section 75 claim is only there to cover you if the supplier in in breach of contract.  Holiday Lettings wouldn't be in breach of contract as the villa would be there and able for you to use as per the contract you entered into.

As @comeandgo says perhaps you could upgrade your travel insurance, or even buy a new separate policy that would cover you?  Do read any policy carefully though to ensure it's what you need.

If BA do end up cancelling your flight and they can't provide an acceptable replacement BA flight then they will be responsible for another flight on another airline.  You may have to pay up front and claim back for this, but you will have that option if the worst happens.

keelyann

Thanks both, thats what I thought about section 75 and said that to my credit card company - I have 2 cards, one said not covered, but the other said we would be - left me confused as section 75 is surely the same for both!

I tried to get higher cover travel insurance but the companies said they wouldn't cover and to speak to credit card company which is why i went down that route.  

Wondering when BA will confirm the latest cancellations.  It's all so frustrating!

Westin

As above on the S75 comments. I can't see that you have a claim.

If you had booked as a package arrangement then you would have had the cover you desire.  By booking DIY as separate components you lose that benefit.  The villa rental company is not responsible if you can not get there under your own steam.

When are you travelling and to where? BA have today announced which further cancellations will take place for July and August from LHR/LGW/LCY.

Sandtree

keelyann said:

Thanks both, thats what I thought about section 75 and said that to my credit card company - I have 2 cards, one said not covered, but the other said we would be - left me confused as section 75 is surely the same for both!

You are probably talking to front line staff rather than S75 specialists. 

As others have said, S75 only mirrors your rights from the supplier to the creditor and so you couldn't S75 against the payment to the holiday lets company 1) because they've not breached their contract so have no liability and 2) you have paid an agent not the supplier which breaks the D-C-S chain anyway

Ultimately however each case is judge on its own merits and within the company guidelines and so it is possible that two claims submitted to two different banks could have different outcomes... even with the same bank they may do if handled by different people. 

Alan_Bowen

As regards BA, there are no long-haul cancellations listed at all and on the short-haul routes there remain flights on the same day to virtually every destination so you should be OK depending on the booking levels on the remaining flights. If you identify the airport I can tell you the risk level

lisyloo

Where are you going?
to some destinations there many be many alternate flights, so if you give a destination someone may be able to help (or you could check skyscanner).
BA are liable for paying for  alternate flights.

keelyann

Thanks all, we are due to fly to Valencia on August 20th. I wasn't sure if they had released all the cancellations now - great if they have as I haven't heard anything!

elsien

I was struggling with insurance cover for separate elements. The ones I looked at seemed to cover for things like end supplier failure (villa going bust, for example) but I did lose the will to live when trying to track down cover for consequential loss ref cancellations. The articles all seem to tell you what you need but not where to find it. Case for a decent broker? 

J_B

We advertise our house in Cyprus on Holiday Lettings - we think we are reasonable people, so, when asked we have agreed to be flexible if flights are cancelled and we have availability.

Maybe ask the owners?