Expedia package via Dubai

nkf1

We booked a package with Expedia prior to the start of the middle east conflict. Flights from uk via Dubai to Singapore and a hotel in Singapore. We are due to travel on 9 July. I have contacted Expedia via their agent chat function a couple of times to ask what will haopen if the FCDO advice does not change for travel to or via the UAE before the date. My understanding from reading guidance on this site and others is that since we booked a package, we should have additional protection and they should offer us an alternative or a refund. When I contact Expedia all they do is defer to Emirates policy about allowing flight changes and refunds up to 31 May. They say they can do nothing until this date is extended to my holiday date. I feel this in incorrect. Expedia are the package provider, not Emirates. What should I be able to expect from them and when. I would rather be able to cancel now and try and rebook alternative flights (prices climbing for flights not via the middle east) or even another holiday. What if the FCDO advice doesn't change...but Emirates don't extend the dates for cancellation. I booked on a credit card. I also have insurance bought prior to the conflict.

Ayr_Rage

Whatever you might feel is incorrect, you have no right to cancel as of now, over 5 weeks ahead of your departure date.

That would be construed as disinclination to travel and incur the full cancellation fees as per your contract with Expedia, you have no contract with Emirates and the flights may well go ahead anyway.

Expedia do have to offer a refund on a package if FCDO advice remains the same, however you may find, as happened in another topic they leave that very late.

elsien

You don’t have any cancellation rights at the moment without losing money.
The booking company and the airline will be prioritising the holidays that are happening between now and when you go.

Credit card and insurance are completely irrelevant at this point - cancelling will count as disinclination to travel because you don’t know yet what the FCO advice will be closer to your holiday.

nkf1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82016580#Comment_82016580

When i say "cancel" I more mean be given options by Expedia now to change or get a refund to my package. Not an outright cancellation. But it sounds like Expedia will leave it to the last minute to offer me any options of refund or change from responses so far. At the moment they wont even give me advice on what they may do nearer the time if everything remains the same - only referring to Emirates policy.on rights to make changes. Surely whether the flight goes or not is irrelevant if the FCDO advice stays the same ....Expedia will need to offer me a refund? My insurance company will only allow me to claim within 2 weeks of travel if FCDO advice remains same.

Ayr_Rage

Who is your insurer?

Most exclude war and civil unrest.

nkf1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82016776#Comment_82016776

Admiral are accepting/considering cancellation claims related to FCDO do not travel advice as long as policy and trip both bought before conflict started. Claims related to unused trip costs or rebooking costs will be considered. I don't think they will cover us for actually travelling via dubia and any delays etc we might encounter.

nkf1

Should add admiral will only accept claims within 2 weeks of travel date

Humphreyshalfmoon

I understand that Emirates do not intend to extend their offer of free cancellation for flights beyond 31st May so Expedia will stand the whole loss if they are forced to offer you a cancellation. This makes even more likely that they will delay a decision for as long as possible . You need to wait, if you ask to cancel now as others have said, you stand to lose most if not all your money

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6670334/expedia-package-via-dubai

That all seems appropriate to me.

You, me, Expedia, Emirates, the UK Government, UAE Government, Iran, USA, Donald Trump have no idea what the FCDO advice will be in July.

Expedia can only make a decision based upon the FCDO advice that is in force at, or very close before, the planned travel date. The FCDO advice might change between now and then. Plus, Expedia will be focusing their efforts in resolving issues relating to passengers affected by the current FCDO advice and due to travel in the next week or so. They won't have the resources to look at individuals planning to travel in over a month's time.

You can either wait or cancel of your own accord which will be disinclination to travel and you won't get any refund or be covered by insurance.

nkf1

Update on this. I managed to speak to a supervisor/escalation customer service person at expedia today. I just wanted them to confirm what my options would be under the UK package travel regulations, given the FCDO advice remains the same and is unlikely to change. They are still insisting that they can only adhere to the airline policies. They won't recognise the FCDO advice on "all but essential travel" in any way obligates expedia to offer me a full refund of thr package, even closer to the travel date. They claim to have been issued no guidelines on queries such as mine. They are still telling me if I cancel right up to travel date, regardless of the FCDO advice, it will be my choice and I will have to pay USD 200 per flight and my hotel is non refundable. They claim the only way I can get a refund is if Emirates and the hotel apply an exception and offer me one. They just don't seem to know (or are not admitting) that they have any liability or responsibility as sellers of packages under UK regulations. My insurer will consider a claim but they want me to have exhausted all routes with the package operator first.

elsien

I think you have no option but to wait until you’re due to travel.
Although it is massively inconvenient to you because you want to make alternative arrangements, as things stand they don’t have to change anything yet.
It is still awaiting game until they actually refuse to refund at the appropriate time, if that is how it plays out.