I've messed up!! Couldn't go on holiday due to children's passports

wigglers

Hi I am after some guidance if I may? Thought we were off on holiday today only to get to the airport and be told the children's passports are going to run out in less than 3 months and we are not allowed to go. I know it's a foolish and costly mistake to make, I have been hospitalised recently so just completley didn't even think they were only 5 years not 10. 
Kids passport fadtrrack it's a week minimum so no chance there. 
I paid for the holiday with a credit card so long shot but could i claim back anything as a section 75 or charge back?
As we haven't used the service provided either the flights or indeed the hotel. 
Any help appreciated thanks 😭

eskbanker

No, your card company isn't liable to reimburse anything in this situation - the suppliers haven't breached any contract and unfortunately it's all on you.  Sorry that won't be what you want to hear but best to be frank and honest rather than giving the false impression that you have any rights....

mebu60

I would imagine that the card provider would say that all the services were available.

wigglers

Yeah i thought as much, guessing travel insurance won't pay out as its due to the passports being out of scope for the country we were flying to? 

elsien

No you can’t claim anything back on your credit card. S75 is where the supplier doesn’t provide the service. Your flight and hotel were both going ahead and it’s not their fault that you were unable to get there.

I think it’s also extremely unlikely that this would be covered under insurance because of the responsibility to check everything is in place beforehand. And due to the short notice, it’s too late to ask for a goodwill swap to another date.

I’m sorry, but I think this is one you’re gonna have to cover the cost for yourself.

wigglers

Yeah i asked in hope more than anything else, appreciate the advice as always, thankyou 

elsien

You might be able to claim the tax back on the missed flights.

It won’t be a huge amount, but it’s something. This is an old article, but I’m presuming the principles are still the same.
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/holidays/article-3723398/amp/How-claim-tax-ticket-miss-flight.html

DullGreyGuy

wigglers said:

Hi I am after some guidance if I may? Thought we were off on holiday today only to get to the airport and be told the children's passports are going to run out in less than 3 months and we are not allowed to go. I know it's a foolish and costly mistake to make, I have been hospitalised recently so just completley didn't even think they were only 5 years not 10. 
Kids passport fadtrrack it's a week minimum so no chance there. 
I paid for the holiday with a credit card so long shot but could i claim back anything as a section 75 or charge back?
As we haven't used the service provided either the flights or indeed the hotel. 
Any help appreciated thanks 😭

To make a S75 or Chargeback claim you would need to show how the airline breached the contract... how do you think they did?


Did you book with the airline or via an agent?

We messed up to a while back with the Mrs changing her coat last minute before leaving for the airport and leaving her passport in the other coat's pocket. Didnt realise until we were literally at the desk and she couldn't find it. 

We booked directly and so called the airline after we got back home who very surprisingly allowed us to move the outbound flight despite the fact it had already left by the time we spoke to them. The accommodation were equally accommodating and allowed us to push back the dates at no cost. I was going to be "WFH" whilst away so no issues with work etc!

Realistically a similar outcome is less likely if you booked via an agent because of how the monies flow but you should be able to at least reclaim the taxes for the flight but the agent can charge a handling fee for this. 

Not having a valid passport/visa is not a peril Travel insurance covers as its fully within your control and so far too much of a moral peril 

NoodleDoodleMan

If the government can issue reminders to car owners that their MOT is about to expire and needs to be renewed - presumably they could send a similar heads up, flagging the potential 3 months validity issue to passport holders, or their parents/guardians where appropriate ?

baser999

NoodleDoodleMan said:

If the government can issue reminders to car owners that their MOT is about to expire and needs to be renewed - presumably they could send a similar heads up, flagging the potential 3 months validity issue to passport holders, or their parents/guardians where appropriate ?

But why should it always be someone else’s responsibility to remind us? Most people have access to a mobile phone so set up reminders of recurring items - insurances, car tax, MOT and so on. Failing that, use a diary or calendar.

eskbanker

NoodleDoodleMan said:

If the government can issue reminders to car owners that their MOT is about to expire and needs to be renewed - presumably they could send a similar heads up, flagging the potential 3 months validity issue to passport holders, or their parents/guardians where appropriate ?

An MOT test has a clearly defined exact expiry date, but passport validity is much more fluid, in that some countries impose a three month 'curfew', while others are six months, and others none at all - the key issue being that these rules are all set by these other countries themselves, rather than being within the control of the UK government....