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Coronavirus: Can I get a holiday refund and what are my travel rights? Coronavirus: Can I get a holiday refund and what are my travel rights?
(2 months later)
Coronavirus has meant most people have had to abandon holiday plans for 2020, whether in the UK or abroad. Coronavirus has meant most people have been forced to abandon or hastily rearrange holiday plans for 2020, whether in the UK or abroad.
The Foreign Office has advised against non-essential travel and several countries have, in effect, shut their borders. The Foreign Office is still advising against all non-essential travel, but that is going to be lifted on 6 July for countries where the public health risk is no longer "unacceptably high".
So what does this mean for holidays booked before the crisis? Should I book my summer holiday?
Can I get a refund for my flights or package holiday? Different parts of the UK are relaxing restrictions at different times, but this opens the option of a staycation.
Many holidaymakers booking package tours and rental accommodation - both abroad and in the UK - have encountered problems getting refunds. The planned reduction of social distancing from 2m (6ft) to 1m plus in England means that hotels, campsites, self-catering accommodation and B&Bs can operate again, with restrictions, from 4 July.
The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) told BBC News people "absolutely have the right to a refund" for cancelled package holidays, but payments would take longer than the 14 statutory days. Self-catering holiday accommodation is opening again now in Northern Ireland, and hotels will follow on 3 July.
If your flight is cancelled, you are also entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, within seven days. A decision will be taken in Wales on 9 July on whether to open up the country to tourists again. If this is given the go-ahead, it is likely to take effect from 13 July.
However, many customers are reporting their airlines are offering a voucher for another flight instead of a refund. In Scotland you can book self contained accommodation from 3 July. All other holiday accommodation can reopen from 15 July.
What about going abroad?
This is more complicated.
At present, the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel overseas - but that is going to change on 6 July.
Travel advice is likely to be eased for countries and territories where the public health risk is no longer considered to be "unacceptably high".
But this official travel advice from the Foreign Office is separate from so called "international travel corridors".
These would be agreements with other countries - starting as early as 4 July - where anyone returning from those nations would not need to self-isolate in the UK for a fortnight upon their return.
The current 14-day quarantine rules may rule out an overseas break for people who need to get back to work or school.
Will travel insurance cover me if I get coronavirus?
While the Foreign Office advice states UK residents should not travel abroad, it is very unlikely that any travel insurance will be valid.
When that changes, there will be different cover depending on your policy.
While most will cover treatment for illness and injury while overseas, not all will do so for coronavirus-related illness.
A number of policies are now being sold that will cover people for emergency treatment or repatriation for Covid-19 contracted while in a resort, but not cases that arose by getting it beforehand in the UK.
What about insurance if I have to self-isolate?
Anyone still faces testing positive for the virus, or coming into contact with somebody who has it and being alerted by the new test and trace systems being used in the UK.
The government has said it is a "civic duty" to self-isolate for 14 days after being notified of a contact.
This could lead to cancelled or delayed holidays, but insurance broadly falls into three categories:
Can I get a refund for cancelled flights or package holidays?
Yes, but there have been delays for many people who have been seeking refunds for holidays cancelled while restrictions were in place - both abroad and in the UK.
The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) told BBC News that people "absolutely have the right to a refund" for cancelled package holidays, but payments would take longer than the 14 statutory days.
If your flight is cancelled, you are also entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, within seven days. Huge backlogs mean these have been delayed considerably, prompting complaints to airlines and the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority.
Many customers have reported their airlines have been offering a voucher for another flight instead of a refund.
And trade body Airlines UK told BBC News in early April, vouchers were its preferred method of compensation in a "very grave" financial situation.And trade body Airlines UK told BBC News in early April, vouchers were its preferred method of compensation in a "very grave" financial situation.
Budget airline Ryanair's chief executive Michael O'Leary told BBC Breakfast on 1 May the company had a backlog of 25 million refund claims, after cancelling about 17 million seats between March and April.
He said it is currently processing about 10,000 refunds a week - up from 10,000 a month normally. He insisted "every customer will get a cash refund if they want a cash refund," but added it would take up to six months to pay back everyone.
If you are offered a voucher, or a free rebooking instead of cash, you can accept or refuse it.If you are offered a voucher, or a free rebooking instead of cash, you can accept or refuse it.
But if the airline later folds, the voucher will probably become invalid.But if the airline later folds, the voucher will probably become invalid.
And if you rebook but later decide against going on a flight that has not been cancelled, you will have lost your right to a refund and may not be covered by your travel insurance. If you rebook and later decide against going on a flight that has not been cancelled, you will have lost your right to a refund and are unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.
What about other costs?
Even when travel tickets are refunded, there can be other costs, such as hotel rooms and car hire, which travel insurance may cover.
"People should keep all their travel invoices and receipts to help the claims process go smoothly," Laura Dawson, of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), says.
However, insurers may take a different view on when you can put in a claim.
Some will look at it within 28 days of your planned departure.
But others will ask you to wait until 48 hours before, in case government advice on travel changes.
Should I book a summer holiday?
Booking summer travel probably isn't a good idea, because the current lockdown does not permit holidaying within the UK or overseas.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 17 April: "I won't be booking a summer holiday at this point."
This has annoyed some travel operators, with Abta calling the comments "thoughtless".
But as the outlook for the next few months is highly uncertain and many are struggling to obtain refunds on their existing bookings, it may be sound advice.
Many travel providers are offering additional protection and free cancellation for new bookings.
But insurers are telling customers they should ask their holiday provider or airline for existing refunds or to rebook trips first.
Will I still be covered by travel insurance?
In general, insurers and airlines take their cue from official UK foreign travel advice.
If you ignore it, you risk invalidating your insurance policy. If you currently have to make an essential trip, some insurers will still maintain cover.
Your rights can also depend on your choice of airline and the small print of your insurance policy - so do read it carefully.
Some insurers have limited or changed cover for claims relating to Covid-19.
The key is "disruption cover", which should pay out for costs such as unused hotel bookings or car hire.
And many policies - even if you have a valid annual travel insurance policy - no longer have this as standard.
Also, many insurers, including the Post Office, have simply suspended travel insurance sales completely.
The Association of British Insurers said travel insurance was to cover losses incurred by unforeseen circumstances and coronavirus no longer met that criteria.The Association of British Insurers said travel insurance was to cover losses incurred by unforeseen circumstances and coronavirus no longer met that criteria.
People should also pay attention to "disruption cover" in terms and conditions, which may, or may not, pay out for costs such as unused hotel bookings or car hire.
What questions do you have about coronavirus and its impact?What questions do you have about coronavirus and its impact?
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