SCOTS have been urged to make sure they pursue refunds if their foreign holidays this summer are cancelled because of coronavirus.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has already reminded package holiday firms of their legal obligations, and Advice Direct Scotland – the national consumer advice service – said that as consumer rights remain in place, travel providers must adhere to legislation.
Last year the competition watchdog received 23,000 complaints about cancelled holidays – the most common issue raised with consumeradvice.scot advisers at the height of the pandemic.
The CMA took action against five big holiday firms, which have now refunded a total of £200 million.
They were Tui, which the watchdog said had now formally committed to giving clearer upfront information on refunds, Teletext Holidays, LoveHolidays, Lastminute.com and Virgin Holidays.
Advice Direct Scotland said for package holidays, cancelled trips must be refunded within 14 days and customers must be offered a refund, not simply a credit note.
However, holidaymakers who choose to cancel bookings themselves will not automatically be able to seek refunds or claim on their travel insurance policies.
Advice Direct Scotland has therefore advised Scots to always check the cancellation policy and read the small print when booking.
It said purchases of more than £100 should be made on a credit card, and people should consider extensive travel insurance for UK staycations as well as foreign trips.
The advice service’s spokesperson, Colin Mathieson, said: “As Scots start to consider booking foreign trips, it’s important that people know their rights should their holiday be cancelled ... Paying for bookings over £100 using a credit card means additional protections for consumers, and means recourse can be sought using the Consumer Credit Act in the unfortunate situation where a travel provider enters administration or does not respond to refund requests for cancelled travel.”
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