Claiming the cost of accommodation on a holiday (not package holiday) where flight's been cancelled

JyoatiChada

Hi, We booked flights to Venice through Easy Jet (we were due to travel in mid August) and booked the accommodation separately in a camping village.  The day after we paid the remainder due on the accommodation, Easy Jet cancelled our flight. We had taken out insurance when booking the accommodation through the camping village, but they are refusing to give a full refund, on the basis that cancelled flights are not covered. We have checked the policy, but it is silent in respect of what happens if a flight is cancelled.  Is there any way we could get a refund on the accommodation?  Thanks

kazwookie

In theory the accommodation is still there and available, so I doubt you could get a refund.

Can you book some other flights?

Westin

Very unfortunate but the accommodation supplier does not have to refund you.  It is not there issue or problem that your unconnected flight was cancelled.

Despite the airline cancelling, they are under no obligation to cover your accommodation costs.

If you had booked as a package or linked travel arrangement you would have better protection in this scenario.  Booking separately as you have is unfortunately one of the downsides of such a DIY arrangement. 

Travel insurance 'may' cover this but it really depends on the quality of the policy purchased. 

I think you would be better looking for an alternative VCE set of flights to match your booked accommodation, or be sweet and nice to see if the accommodation provider will offer a change of dates or a credit for a future stay.

onashoestring

As other posters have said if accommodation was non- refundable then you are not entitled to a refund on the accommodation as it is still available. 

However under  EU261 regulations when an airline cancels you flight they must offer you the choice of a refund or another flight to get to your destination. 

Look for an alternative flight that gets you to your destination and ask Easyjet to book it for you - even if it’s with another airline .

This  assumes that you haven’t already accepted a refund from Easyjet - as you can’t have both refund and re-routing .

marcia_

 I think its been missed that the OP says they took out accommodation insurance from the supplier 

MaiTai

marcia_ said:

 I think its been missed that the OP says they took out accommodation insurance from the supplier 

Which they say doesn’t cover cancelled flights.........

lisyloo

marcia_ said:

 I think its been missed that the OP says they took out accommodation insurance from the supplier 

it does not say it covers cancelled flights and they have explicitly said they don’t cover it.
insurance only covers the eventualities that they specify.

are there no other flights to Venice?
there are usually about 5 per day from some London airports.
Other routes e.g. Verona, Milan, Turin are also available.

JyoatiChada

Westin said:

Very unfortunate but the accommodation supplier does not have to refund you.  It is not there issue or problem that your unconnected flight was cancelled.

Despite the airline cancelling, they are under no obligation to cover your accommodation costs.

If you had booked as a package or linked travel arrangement you would have better protection in this scenario.  Booking separately as you have is unfortunately one of the downsides of such a DIY arrangement. 

Travel insurance 'may' cover this but it really depends on the quality of the policy purchased. 

I think you would be better looking for an alternative VCE set of flights to match your booked accommodation, or be sweet and nice to see if the accommodation provider will offer a change of dates or a credit for a future stay.

Thanks for your comments.  We have found alternative flights suitable flights, but are reluctant to book in case these flights are also cancelled.  As it is we stand to lose 60% of the cost of the accommodation if we don't cancel it by a certain date, but if we decide to go ahead with the holiday, and if the alternative flights are also cancelled, we will lose 100% of the cost.  I can't find any insurance provider to cover this scenario.  Any ideas please? Thanks.

Westin

I can’t think of a suitable travel insurance policy and given the well publicised flight cancellations this summer with some airlines it might be seen by insurers as a known issue and now an uninsured risk. Others might have suggestions.

You haven’t mentioned the new airline but hopefully many carriers have now taken out of schedules the flights they need to. Hopefully unexpected cancellations will reduce.

Whilst the aviation industry and airports have not in any way covered themselves in glory this summer, we should remember that thousands fly from our airports each day without major disruption or any inconvenience.  Fingers crossed that will be you in August.

I would be watching the French/Italian/Spanish/German ATC for the next summer time delays. I suspect that’s the next issue.

JyoatiChada

Westin said:

I can’t think of a suitable travel insurance policy and given the well publicised flight cancellations this summer with some airlines it might be seen by insurers as a known issue and now an uninsured risk. Others might have suggestions.

You haven’t mentioned the new airline but hopefully many carriers have now taken out of schedules the flights they need to. Hopefully unexpected cancellations will reduce.

Whilst the aviation industry and airports have not in any way covered themselves in glory this summer, we should remember that thousands fly from our airports each day without major disruption or any inconvenience.  Fingers crossed that will be you in August.

I would be watching the French/Italian/Spanish/German ATC for the next summer time delays. I suspect that’s the next issue.

That's really helpful.  Thank you.

CKhalvashi

JyoatiChada said:

Westin said:

Very unfortunate but the accommodation supplier does not have to refund you.  It is not there issue or problem that your unconnected flight was cancelled.

Despite the airline cancelling, they are under no obligation to cover your accommodation costs.

If you had booked as a package or linked travel arrangement you would have better protection in this scenario.  Booking separately as you have is unfortunately one of the downsides of such a DIY arrangement. 

Travel insurance 'may' cover this but it really depends on the quality of the policy purchased. 

I think you would be better looking for an alternative VCE set of flights to match your booked accommodation, or be sweet and nice to see if the accommodation provider will offer a change of dates or a credit for a future stay.

Thanks for your comments.  We have found alternative flights suitable flights, but are reluctant to book in case these flights are also cancelled.  As it is we stand to lose 60% of the cost of the accommodation if we don't cancel it by a certain date, but if we decide to go ahead with the holiday, and if the alternative flights are also cancelled, we will lose 100% of the cost.  I can't find any insurance provider to cover this scenario.  Any ideas please? Thanks.

Look at Ryanair if you want certainty the flights will go. Not normally a company I recommend but they're the only airline that haven't cancelled a single flight for me this year, I know a number of others are in that situation also.

August flight prices can still be quite reasonable at the moment, I doubt this is going to be the case over the next few weeks, so it's important to book as soon as you see a price you're happy with to avoid having to pay one you're not.