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Holidays and flights, the rules for getting compensation

2020-05-12T10:06:18.446Z


Vouchers, bonuses, refunds: with the conversion into law of the "Cura Italia" decree, there is a little more clarity in the world of tourism for travel or stays booked and then canceled due to Covid-19. (HANDLE)


by Ida Bini (ANSA) - ROME, MAY 12 - Vouchers, bonuses, returns: with the conversion into law of the "Cura Italia" decree, there is a bit more clarity in the world of tourism for travel or stays booked and then canceled due to the COVID-19. So far airline companies, agencies, tour operators and platforms on the web have adopted different rules: some have returned the money, others have done so with the vouchers - within 30 days of the request - to be spent within a year; still others have asked to change the dates of individual trips. Now, however, the rules are the same for everyone: the decree-law provides for the issue of vouchers as a refund and the extension of flexibility for their issue. «The holiday-saving voucher» reports article 88 bis "Refund of travel, accommodation and tourist packages" «is a voucher applicable to all the residence contracts for which a payment has been made and to all Italian accommodation facilities, regardless by the nationality of the customer and by the seat of the travel agency or portal through which the booking was made ". In practice, accommodation facilities or travel agencies have the right to convert the customer's expense into another holiday package valid for one year without returning the money paid to the consumer. In fact, on the legal side, reimbursement is a rather undermined terrain which sees an inconsistency between national laws and European regulations: with the latest provisions, to be honest, consumer rights are limited to give more oxygen to operators in the world of tourism, on their knees for the emergency. Even consumer associations have understood that it is better to make agreements with individual tourism companies that are at risk of failing. But what if you have already booked a trip or want to give it up? Here are some rules and a sututti tip: it is always good to consult the individual sites where the holiday has been organized or the flight booked to understand how to get a refund.
   Those who book (or have already booked) a ticket with the Alitalia company by 31 May for flights until 30 April 2021 can request a change of reservation or be refunded with a voucher of the same amount and valid for one year. Those who have purchased the ticket for a canceled flight can request a change of booking to travel by March 31, 2021 or a voucher valid for one year by 31st August or be reimbursed for the ticket. The low cost airline Ryanair allows you to rebook your trip for free if it has been canceled or to claim a refund; however, it is necessary to complete a form with the documentation showing that you can no longer travel (with a medical certificate or with the postponement of an event you would like to attend). But if you decide not to travel for personal reasons, then you can change the flight - if it is up to May 31st - without supplement or change it on any date until August 31st with the application of a different fare. In the event of a canceled flight, the Easyjet company proposes to change it without paying penalties by choosing a new one by May 2021; or to choose a voucher of the same value as the flight, valid until the end of summer 2021; or, again, request a refund through an online form at the "Covid-19 Help Hub" link on the site. If the flight has not been canceled, but you decide not to leave, you can change it without penalties until March 2021.
   For Trenitalia, waiting times to find out who is entitled to a refund or bonus are up to 90 days: it is necessary to complete an online form to obtain a bonus to be used within one year for trips canceled for the emergency.
   Those who have booked a stay with the Airbnb platform can obtain a voucher refund in case of cancellations; Furthermore, the platform decided to help the individual companies by paying 25 percent of what they lost for the cancellations. Those who booked with Booking receive a voucher for a future trip if they request cancellation before the date of the stay; or you can change the booking dates to move the stay in the future with a minimum rate difference. Expedia asks to check if the flight has been canceled or if you want to cancel the holiday: in the first case you get a voucher to use in the future and in the second case penalties are applied. It is good to always consult the site to find out if the flights have been canceled. Who booked a holiday on the Edreams platform must consult the airline directly (only if it is not a charter flight) and understand if the flight is there or if it has been canceled. In any case, the alternative to reimbursement is the voucher for future travel, but it is advisable to check it no earlier than a week from departure. (HANDLE).

Source: ansa

All life articles on 2020-05-12

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