REFUND RIGHTS
Can I get a refund on my holiday if Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca are added to the ‘amber list’?
JUST weeks after being declared Covid safe, countries including Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca are going back on the amber list once again.
The Sun exclusively revealed yesterday that holidaymakers travelling to the popular Spanish islands will have to self isolate after returning to the UK.
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The Spanish Islands were added to the green list on June 30, meaning Brits don't have to quarantine when they come back.
But the Balearics will now go on the amber list from Monday with Croatia and Bulgaria added to the green list.
But will you be able to get a refund if it does and you decide to cancel your holiday? We explain your rights.
Can I get a refund?
You’re not entitled to a refund if the destination you’re travelling to ends up on the amber list and you cancel your trip.
The Government's traffic light system indicates what countries it deems safe for Brits to travel to and what processes must be followed upon return.
But the assessed risk factors for travel are different to those of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
That means sometimes the FCDO will deem a country safe, even though it's on the amber list.
So if the FCDO says you can’t travel to your holiday destination, then you’ll be entitled to your money back.
Alternatively, the airline should pay for a replacement flight at a later date.
Will my travel insurance cover me?
CONSUMER group Which? warns not all travel insurance policies offer full cover for holidays that can't go ahead due to Covid.
For example, they might cover you if you fall ill with coronavirus but not if you're told to quarantine by NHS Test and Trace when your due to depart.
"As a (very) general rule, insurance covers you for unexpected events or things out of your control, not for changing your mind," said Mr James.
"So if you want to leave a holiday because it looks like the country you are in is going on the red list, you may not be able to claim any costs."
This is why it's important to check the small print before purchasing a policy.
Holidaymakers should also be aware that travel insurance taken out for a green list trip may no longer be valid if you decide to go ahead with it, despite it being moved to the amber or red list.
In particular, this will affect countries that the FCDO advises against travelling to.
Heading to these countries against FCDO advice will mean you're not covered if you have an accident, get ill or lose your luggage when abroad.
However, some travel insurance policies may still cover you if the government has moved it to the amber list but there's isn't an FCDO travel ban in place.
You should check your policy and speak to your provider to see where your insurer stands on this.
But you are unlikely to get a refund if the FCDO says it’s still ok to travel there - even if it switches from green to amber.
Consumer law firm Bott and Co passenger rights expert Coby Benson warned that if you cancel your trip, you could be slapped with a large cancellation fee.
“Unfortunately, cancellation charges can often be a high percentage, if not all of the cost of the holiday leaving travellers with no refund,” he said.
But, airlines like TUI and British Airways will let customers change the date of their trip without any charge - but you might have to pay the difference if the holiday is more expensive.
So while you won’t get a refund, you will be able to push back your plans - and avoid forking out any cancellation fees.
But if you do decide to cancel and you paid by credit card you may be able to get a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Rights Act, as long as it cost between £100 and £30,000.
Debit card claims or credit card claims of under £100 may be covered under similar Chargeback guarantees.
You should contact your credit or debit card provider on how to make a claim.
Will I be covered for traffic light changes?
Consumer group Which? warns not all travel insurance policies offer full cover for holidays that can't go ahead due to Covid.
For example, they might cover you if you fall ill with coronavirus but not if you're told to quarantine by NHS Test and Trace when you’re due to depart.
It's important to check the small print before purchasing a policy.
Holidaymakers should also be aware that travel insurance taken out for a green list trip may no longer be valid if you decide to go ahead with it, despite it being moved to the amber or red list.
In particular, this will affect countries that the FCDO advises against travelling to.
Heading to these countries against FCDO advice will mean you're not covered if you have an accident, get ill or lose your luggage when abroad.
However, some travel insurance policies may still cover you if the government has moved it to the amber list but there's isn't an FCDO travel ban in place.
You should check your policy and speak to your provider to see where your insurer stands on this.
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