BRITS keen to go on holiday abroad this summer may want to book with a travel firm that lets you rebook or cancel your trip for free.
It could come in handy if you’re worried about air bridges being cancelled due to a rising number of coronavirus cases, or if you were suddenly told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
1
The government has given holidaymakers travelling to more than 80 countries such as Italy and France the green light to do so without having to quarantine on their return.
Although, over the weekend the government abruptly imposed a two-week quarantine on all travellers arriving from Spain after a surge of coronavirus cases.
This has left thousands of Brits at risk of losing money on holidays.
But if you’re still keen to book a holiday, you’ll be pleased to know that several travel firms are adding flexibility to their booking policies in order to lure customers back.
Below we round up the package holiday firms allowing you to rebook or cancel your trip due to coronavirus.
Which travel firms let you rebook or cancel your trip due to coronavirus?
Audley Travel
Customers can cancel booked holidays up to seven days before departure for trips to Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portgual, Spain, Turkey and Scotland and get a full refund.
This applies as long as the holidays were booked by September 30.
Travellers can also rebook and change the dates for free up to 45 days before departure for trips to other destinations booked by July 31.
You can also get a credit voucher to use before March 31, 2021.
If you don’t redeem your credit voucher before this date, you can claim a cash refund.
Balkan Holidays
Balkan Holidays customers can’t cancel a trip for free, but you’ll be able to rebook a trip at no extra cost until August 31, according to Which?.
Best At Travel
Similarly, Best at Travel doesn’t offer free cancellation but you can rebook a trip up to 21 days before on many holidays.
British Airways Holidays
Travellers with British Airways Holidays can get a voucher refund, but not cash, if you cancel a trip booked after June 11 but before August 31.
This applies as long as you give three weeks’ notice.
You can also reschedule the trip for free if you give the same amount of notice.
If you booked a holiday package between March 3 and June 11, you can change dates or request a voucher refund with just 48 hours’ notice.
The same 48-hour notice period also applies if you booked before March 3 2020 for travel between March 14 and September 30, 2020.
British Airways told The Sun that if quarantine rules change for a customer’s booked destination, you can give notice within just seven days of the announcement or on the day of your outward departure, if sooner.
Co-Operative Travel
Customers won’t be able to cancel or rebook a trip for free, as Co-operative Travel will pass on supplier change costs.
If you’ve been infected with coronavirus, you also won’t be able to get a full refund but Co-op told Which? it may reduce cancellation charges or try to move the date.
easyJet Holidays
easyJet Holidays offers full refunds as credit and rebooking options up to 28 days before departure.
Hays Travel
The travel firm lets you cancel and get a refund on many newly booked holidays as long as it’s not with a low-cost airline, according to Which?.
Just keep in mind that you’ll need to do so up to six weeks before departure, which also applies if you just want to change the dates.
HF Holidays
HF Holidays doesn’t offer free cancellation, but you can reschedule a trip due to coronavirus at no extra cost.
Inghams
Inghams doesn’t offer free cancellation but bookings in August and September can be amended free up to four weeks before departure.
Inntravel
Inntravel customers can reschedule trips up to the day of travel, but you’ll still have to pay unrecoverable supplier costs, which may include flights.
The amount charged will depend on when you try to change the booking – the nearer to departure, the less likely Inntravel will be able to recoup from accommodation, transport and excursion providers, it told The Sun.
You won’t be able to cancel a trip for free.
Kuoni
Kuoni allows customers to cancel trips up to 45 days before departure.
If you’ve been infected with coronavirus or been told by NHS Track and Trace to self-isolate, you can get a refund up to seven days before.
Kuoni told The Sun that if an airbridge is withdrawn and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against travel, customers would be allowed to rebook for later dates or get credit for a future holiday.
Alternatively, if there are no other options, you’ll be able to cancel the trip and get a full refund.
If you amend the holiday and the new trip is cheaper than the original, you will get a refund of the price difference.
On The Beach
Holidaymakers with On The Beach won’t be able to cancel or rebook a trip from August 1 onwards, according to Which?.
The Sun has asked the firm to confirm its current policies and we’ll update this article once we hear back.
Saga Travel
If you’re due to travel with Saga Travel before November 1, you can rebook for free.
All Saga holidays in September and October have been cancelled, so if you were due to travel and don’t want to change the dates, you’ll receive a full refund.
Travel Republic
Travel Republic customers will have to pay supplier amendment fees if they change a booking, so you won’t be able to put the full amount towards a new trip, reports Which?.
You also won’t be able to cancel a booking and receive a full refund.
TUI, including First Choice
Travellers with TUI and First Choice, which are both part of TUI Group, are able to amend their holidays free of charge.
The firms also told The Sun customers can accept a refund credit note with a 10 per cent discount incentive to use at a later date, or choose a full refund.
Virgin Holidays
Virgin Holidays doesn’t offer free cancellation, but you can reschedule a trip made before August 31 for travel dates up to September 30.
This applies as long as you change the dates up to 21 days before departure.
You can move your holiday as far out as December 31 2021, subject to availability.
Holidaymakers have had TUI trips to mainland Spain cancelled due to new government travel advice – we explain how you can claim a refund.
Earlier this month, Virgin and Love Holidays were named as some of the worst travel companies for refunds.
Holidaymakers also said say they’ve been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket after arriving at “padlocked” Spanish hotels.
