There is no doubt that having a travel company cancel your holiday at short notice through circumstances beyond your control can be devastating. You may have saved money and made plans for months or even years for your dream break and suddenly, they tell you that you can’t go. It is particularly heart-breaking if the holiday marked a once in a lifetime opportunity, or an anniversary or if it was a planned honeymoon.
Reasons for cancellations can vary. The hotel you were heading for may have burnt down or gone bankrupt. The travel company itself may be in difficulties. War, revolution or terrorist alerts might have led to the cancellations of all travel to the country you hoped to visit.
The holiday company you booked your break with should be a registered accredited travel agency with an organization such as The Association Of British Travel Agents (ABTA) or you may get nothing back at all. An accredited company should have offered you an agreement to compensation and your travel insurance should help too. They will often cover you if your break is cancelled due to serious illness or bereavement too.
The main assistance you’ll get to future holidays is monies returned from your initial bookings and the travel agents may and should offer generous discounts on flights, cruises and hotels you may wish to consider for future Summer (or even Winter) breaks.
If the main problem is with your flights, you are almost certainly going to be covered by the Civil Aviation Authority CAA) If your holiday is scuppered by flight delays full compensation for the flight, including a return flight, should be covered.
Credit card companies also be obliged to offer compensation for monies you spent on your holiday preparation through their cards.
A travel company who have let down customers will be keen to make amends so barter with them for the best deal possible. You might have only been trying for a European vacation when things went pear shaped but try to negotiate for something more exotic, such as a trip to Australia. Be polite and patient while making it clear that you will complain through every channel necessary. Travel companies depend on traveller feedback and word of mouth, so negative feedback is bad for business. If they know they messed up they will go out of their way to make it up to you. Make the most of it.
If the holiday company offers you only a holiday of the same financial value as the one you were due to take it is worth holding out for a better deal. They could offer you a cheaper holiday and flight package than you initially wanted but if so you are entitled to the financial difference between the cancelled break and the replacement one. If the sum is substantial it could cover your spending money for the vacation too.
Don’t forget that as well as the holiday time itself, you may have spent money preparing for the holiday, buying a new camera, scuba gear, books on the region to visit, etc. You may be entitled to compensation there too. There may also be lost earnings as you planned your time off work around the vacation. Know your holiday contract. Know your insurance rights. Check consumer rights, advice bureau, relevant airline and legal, and travel operator rights websites thoroughly, ideally before booking your holiday.
For more information on cancellation holidays visit http://www.cheapbeachholidays.co.uk/holidays/cancellation-holidays