Holiday to Greece

[Miggins60]

I am currently shielding. I have a holiday to Greece in August that I booked in 2019. Shielding is lifted on 1st August. I am now very worried about the CV risk of being at airport and in a plane with hundreds of people for hours. Holiday company will not allow rebook for next year. They say the flight is likely to go ahead, so if I cancel, I will lose all of my holiday cost. Travel Insurance will not cover coronavirus cancellation or CV sickness when abroad. All seems very unfair to shielding people. Anyone have any advice? M

[Newdawn Administrator]

Hi Miggins and I share your pain at having to make this decision. You’re probably aware that Covid numbers have increased since the tourists arrived in Greece and there’s even talk of another lockdown;

telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/0...

We have cancelled our holiday in Sept (not Greece) and still don’t know if we’ll lose the money. However, it’s not a risk I’d take presently particularly in view of the inadequate public medical care in some countries and the private insurance not covering it.

Your holiday company is taking a very harsh line but unfortunately, some take the view that if the Govt have lifted restrictions on advice to travel, then it’s classed as ‘disinclination’ to travel which is most unfair.

Best wishes with the decision but keep watching the situation in Greece carefully because the guidance could change and the U.K. Govt may advise against travel.

Best wishes,

Newdawn

[Miggins60 in reply to Newdawn]

Thanks Newdawn. I saw this morning that numbers in Greece have gone up - probably due to holidaymakers. I expect I will cancel rather than risk CV, but as you say, government advice might change.

[devonrr]

I understand what you are going through as I was due to go abroad in September. It was coming up to paying the balance. Do I take the risk? Will I still be able to enjoy the holiday if the country has restrictions? I was just uncomfortable with the idea of being in a metal tube aka airplane for 3 hours and visiting a country where attractions might be closed. I was prepared to lose my deposit.

I was lucky the holiday company volunteered to swap bookings for next year and give me £200 for doing it! They kept my deposit as a contribution to the next.

So a holiday to Poland in 2020 is now Niagara Falls in 2021 and I’ve got 2 years to save for it. Also got 50% of my insurance back. (Niagara was on my list).

Just depends on the companies and we learn whether to use them in the future.

Driving holiday in the UK coming up in the Autumn.

There will be winners and losers. I was lucky many aren’t. It’s so hard. So difficult for you.

[Miggins60 in reply to devonrr]

Thanks devonrr, that is a great outcome. Like you I am concerned about the airplane and worried that one person on the plane testing positive will mean every passenger forced to isolate for entire holiday- possibly in a government hostel! I will probably cancel and lose the money, but waiting now to see what FCO say nearer the time.

[Sierrastar in reply to Miggins60]

I do not know whether this idea will be any help at all. I am in the US and have fraud protection on my credit card. If ever I am dissatisfied with any goods or services, or do not receive them, the fraud protection department will take it up with the vendor and usually recover my funds.

I pay for EVERYTHING with a credit card. The only time I use cash is to pay my gardener.

Good luck.

Elizabeth.

[HopeME in reply to Sierrastar]

Elizabeth:

Miggins60’s problem has nothing to do with fraud. Using fraud protection to dispute services that a consumer is unhappy with is not the proper use of this product.

Best

Mark

[Sierrastar in reply to HopeME]

I was not suggesting that his was a case of fraud. I stated that I did not know if this suggestion would be of any use.

I am sure Miggins60 can speak for himself, after all I was writing to him.

The fraud department at my bank deals with all manner of disputes and dissatisfactions and they certainly understand their own purview.

Elizabeth.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Sierrastar]

I understand what you’re referring to Elizabeth and some people have called on their credit and debit card providers to assist with holidays this year. However, if the holiday provider can offer the contracted service then I don’t imagine the card company would intervene. I do however, know of people who have used their credit card protection and debit card charge back scheme to recoup money from recalcitrant holiday companies who didn’t return payments.

It’s the word ‘fraud’ that makes it sound different but in fact it’s just different terminology.

I’ve certainly used the credit and debit card providers however where I’ve felt goods and services weren’t provided and I’d paid by card.

Wouldn’t appear to apply in this case. Just a pity the holiday company wouldn’t consider transferring the booking to next year.

Regards,

Newdawn

[Sierrastar in reply to Newdawn]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Of course, if there were enough protesters via the credit card companies, perhaps the pressure on these travel providers would change their practices.

Elizabeth.

[Miggins60 in reply to Sierrastar]

Interesting thought. I certainly feel that in these trying circumstances, a bit of consideration should go to shielders with medical risks.