It seems unlikely that you will be able to jet off for a summer holiday this year. However, if you had a trip booked from March onwards you may be struggling to cancel and get your money back. “Many tour operators, airlines and accommodation providers... have tried to persuade customers to rearrange their trips or accept credit vouchers for future holidays instead of a cash refund,” says Nick Trend in The Telegraph.
You are entitled to a full refund from your tour operator or airline within 14 days of cancellation. But a study by consumers’ association Which? found that all 20 of the biggest travel firms, including TUI and British Airways, were missing the two-week deadline. If you are struggling then the Competition and Markets Authority would like you to get in touch with examples of bad practice. Mention this to the company failing to provide your refund. It could make all the difference.
Remember too that the travel company isn’t your only route to a refund. If you paid for something with your credit card, you can also approach your card provider to give you your money back. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Rights Act your credit card provider is jointly liable if you don’t get the service or goods you paid for. Section 75 covers purchases between £100 and £30,000. But you don’t have to paid for the entire thing on your credit card. Even if you only put the deposit on your credit card you can still get the full cost back. To make a claim you can print off a template letter from Which? or MoneySavingExpert.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Fill it out with your details and send it off to your credit card company. You’ll have to prove that you couldn’t get a refund directly from the company as part of your claim, so try that route first. If you paid with your debit card you may be able to get your money back through your bank. Chargeback rules allow you to claim for goods or a service within 120 days of purchase. To start a claim, contact your bank to dispute the transaction.
The limitation is you can’t use Section 75 or Chargeback if you want money back for a holiday, trip or event that hasn’t been cancelled yet. If you are worrying about a summer holiday you’ll have to wait until the provider has cancelled it – and you’ve tried to get a refund from them – before you can fall back on your card protection. Finally, remember your travel insurance. If you booked your trip before the coronavirus crisis and can’t go you may be able to claim on your insurance.
-
Act now to bag NatWest-owned Ulster Bank's 5.2% easy access savings accountUlster Bank is offering savers the chance to earn 5.2% on their cash savings, but you need to act fast as easy access rates are falling. We have all the details
-
Moneybox raises market-leading cash ISA to 5%Savings and investing app MoneyBox has boosted the rate on its cash ISA again, hiking it from 4.75% to 5% making it one of top rates. We have all the details.
-
October NS&I Premium Bonds winners - check now to see what you wonNS&I Premium Bonds holders can check now to see if they have won a prize this month. We explain how to check your premium bonds
-
Bank of Baroda closes doors to UK retail bankingAfter almost 70 years of operating in the UK, one of India’s largest bank is shutting up shop in the UK retail banking market. We explain everything you need to know if you have savings or a current account with Bank of Baroda
-
How to earn cashback on spendingFrom credit cards and current accounts to cashback websites, there are plenty of ways to earn cashback on the money you spend
-
John Lewis mulls buy now, pay later schemeThe CEO of John Lewis has said the retailer will consider introducing buy now, pay later initiatives for lower-priced items.
-
State pension triple lock at risk as cost balloonsThe cost of the state pension triple lock could be far higher than expected due to record wage growth. Will the government keep the policy in place in 2024?
-
Paragon raises rate on one-year fixed cash ISA to 5.75%Paragon Bank ups its one-year fixed cash ISA rate to 5.75% - is it enough to top the table?
