It is currently unclear whether and how the vacation can take place this summer.
If the trip is canceled, vacationers will in many cases get their money back.
Corona pandemic: will the summer vacation be canceled in 2021?
Travel warning, ban on accommodation *, quarantine: many people are currently still shy of booking their summer vacation.
Often the worry is too great that the trip will be canceled and the vacationers will be left with the costs.
However, there are clear rules as to when you can and when you cannot cancel your vacation free of charge.
However, sometimes you need to take action yourself to get your money back.
Cancel your trip free of charge - those are the rules
In many cases, you can cancel a package tour without any fees this year.
Stiftung Warentest explains: Free cancellation is possible if
exceptional circumstances prevent or prevent a trip
, including:
Travel warnings to certain areas
Ordered quarantine upon entry
Under certain circumstances, if the trip is significantly impaired due to the corona pandemic, for example because the pool or certain sights are blocked or ports are not served during a cruise
A
ban on accommodation
is of course a good reason why a trip cannot be commenced.
In this case, it is up to the travel agent to cancel the booking and reimburse all costs.
By the way:
If your trip is extended because you have been quarantined by the authorities or your flight is canceled due to corona, you do not have to bear these additional costs.
The provider waives this for three additional days.
After that, the state usually takes over.
Despite Corona: Under these circumstances you pay cancellation fees
During Corona, can you easily cancel all trips at no cost?
Unfortunately it's not that easy.
In these circumstances, you will likely have to pay the cancellation fees yourself:
You do
n't
want to take the trip because of
individual fears
.
You cannot start your trip because you have been
quarantined
(with no symptoms of illness)
.
You can
not leave your district
due to the
15 kilometer rule
.
Your vacation is prevented because the destination
country prohibits entry from your home country
.
Often the tour operator is accommodating.
Find a friendly solution and try to postpone the trip.
Also, avoid canceling your trip well in advance if you suspect it.
Perhaps the situation has changed by the time the booking is made and you are left with the cancellation fees.
Four weeks in advance is considered a good time frame.
Good to know:
If you have
travel cancellation insurance
, you are usually covered in case you fall ill before or during your vacation.
However, many insurance companies have a clause that excludes claims during a pandemic.
Therefore, check your insurance contract and, if necessary, take out a separate corona insurance.
Also interesting
: will it be possible to take a summer vacation abroad again in 2021?
Tourism officer makes forecast.
Beware of the ping-pong situation: How to cancel your individual trip
With a
package tour
you are usually well protected.
If you have booked an individual trip, the way is often more complicated.
There are good prospects for a cancellation within Germany.
If you have booked your flight and accommodation abroad, the legal situation of the respective country of travel applies.
Many customers also experience a ping-pong situation between the travel agent and the actual provider.
In this case, the tour operator is always responsible, as the consumer advice center makes clear - don't let them get rid of them.
Cancel trip: You will get your money back within 14 days
Have you
canceled
your trip in
accordance with the law
?
It is now the duty of the travel provider to reimburse you for the money within 14 days.
Many offer their customers vouchers instead - this is allowed.
However, you do not have to accept it.
If the money has not been reimbursed to you after the deadline, you have a good chance of taking legal action if the law is clear.
But there are also easier ways to get your money back:
If you have paid by Master Card or Visa, you can get the money back using the chargeback process.
If you booked the trip by direct debit, you have eight weeks to book the money back through your current account.
Many customers fear losing their money if the tour operator files for bankruptcy.
This fear is usually unnecessary - package travelers are insured in this case.
You should therefore definitely insist on an insurance policy when booking your trip!
Find out here
: Easter, Pentecost, summer?
From when travel could be normally possible again in 2021.
Canceling trips in the corona pandemic: These are the most accommodating tour operators
Dissatisfied customers and expensive processes: Tour operators want to avoid this and are already preventing this with special Corona offers.
These are the most accommodating providers for the summer vacation 2021:
Alltours:
Relaxed cancellation policy for summer holiday bookings up to March 31st.
Mountains & Sea
: Bookings for the spring vacation by April 30, 2021 can be canceled or rebooked at short notice free of charge.
There is also a good cancellation offer for the summer.
TUI
: With the "Flex tariff" you can cancel or change your trip until shortly before it starts.
In addition, you receive special travel protection with "Covid Protect".
Gebeco
: Good cancellation and withdrawal conditions for bookings by September 20, 2021 plus extra protection with the "Covid Protect" insurance.
schauinsland-Reisen
: For a small surcharge you will receive the “Flex2Relax” tariff until April 30th, with which you can flexibly cancel or rebook your trip until shortly before departure.
All of these are
temporary promotions
.
To be on the safe side, take a screenshot of the offer when you book your trip.
Otherwise, in case of doubt, you may not find the conditions in the general terms and conditions of the tour operator.
(
ls
)
* Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
Also read
: First holiday country wants to allow quarantine-free entry - even for tourists who are not vaccinated.
You should urgently avoid these mistakes in travel cancellation insurance
You should urgently avoid these mistakes in travel cancellation insurance
