You have booked a trip but are not allowed to start because of Corona? Then there are a few things you should consider if you want your money back.
- Vacation in Corona times * is out of the question.
- But what to do if the holiday has to be canceled because you are not allowed to start the trip?
- In the overview you will find everything you need to know about free travel package cancellations and all about travel bookings *.
Which corona regulations regarding travel planning currently apply?
You should know these measures if you are currently considering planning or starting a trip :
- The Federal Foreign Office * has issued a worldwide travel warning .
- This travel warning is valid until at least June 14, 2020 .
- The Federal Ministry of Health advises against all trips, including within Germany.
- There are exit and contact restrictions in all federal states and also in many travel countries.
Read here : Travel experts give hope: Will a vacation trip be possible again soon?
How can I cancel my package tour now free of charge?
"Customers can cancel a package tour free of charge if 'unavoidable and exceptional circumstances' occur at the holiday location or in its immediate vicinity which significantly impair the implementation of the package tour or the transport of people to the destination. A travel warning from the Federal Foreign Office is a clear indication of extraordinary circumstances, "writes Stiftung Warentest.
According to the consumer advice center, it has not yet been clarified exactly when an unavoidable, exceptional circumstance exists that justifies a free cancellation . "But it will probably depend on whether the inevitable, exceptional circumstances exist at the time of the trip and with what probability it could be assumed at the time of the cancellation," said the consumer advice center.
Cancel the package tour for free? Yes!
The worldwide travel warning from the Federal Foreign Office means that travelers can cancel upcoming vacation packages abroad free of charge, citing exceptional circumstances . If the travel operator is not satisfied with the travel warning as a reason, the Stiftung Warentest advises further arguments.
These can be :
- Round trips are often not feasible as planned because entire cities are cordoned off.
- Essential sights or routes on site are blocked.
- Many countries have closed their borders so that entry is no longer possible.
- Contagion risk
According to the experts, these circumstances can entitle travelers to withdraw from the travel contract free of charge . Tour operators can also cancel travel contracts for these reasons, says Stiftung Warentest *.
But : tourists are generally not entitled to compensation.
Read here : Corona crisis: When will vacation in the US be possible again?
Cancel the individual trip for free? Possible.
If you have booked an individual trip, you have to look closely at the contracts of the airlines and hotels despite the entry ban and general travel warning. The free cancellation of the individual trip is possible, for example, if
- Hotels or means of transport cannot be used because they are located in a restricted area
- German law applies
Otherwise, travelers should inquire directly with the organizer.
Read here : Planning an autumn vacation: Do you already know the most beautiful small towns in Germany?
Summer vacation & Corona: Should I cancel now or wait?
First of all, it should be noted that travel can currently only be canceled up to and including June 14 due to exceptional circumstances . Until then - at least for the time being - the worldwide travel warning from the Federal Foreign Office applies.
So if you booked a vacation in July or August - or a later period - you should consider how you want to proceed. Because : The cost of a cancellation will be lower if you cancel early. The closer the cancellation is to the actual travel date, the higher the costs will be.
Important : So you should always keep an eye on the development of the Corona location at the respective holiday destination and check which cancellation and rebooking conditions of the tour operator, the airline or the accommodation apply.
Also interesting : Stiftung Warentest: These foreign health insurance policies have the best tariffs.
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You should urgently avoid these errors in travel cancellation insurance
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* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
