The next uncertain travel summer

Created: 03/08/2022Updated: 03/08/2022 11:27 am

Even if the corona rules have been relaxed in many countries - the pandemic continues to affect travel.

© Christian Charisius/dpa/dpa-tmn

Many people are planning their summer vacation these weeks.

But there is great uncertainty, mainly because of the Russian attack on Ukraine.

How should you secure your trip now?

Kehl/Berlin – Despite the relaxed corona rules in many holiday countries and easier entry into Germany: carefree travel remains difficult in these times.

Above all, the Russian attack on Ukraine is fueling new uncertainties.

War in Europe - for many, vacation is out of the question.

And those who are planning ask themselves: Is it the right time for a Baltic Sea cruise?

Can I really fly to Bulgaria?

And what if I'd rather not go to Mallorca in the summer because of the world situation?

Should we go on vacation at all - and if so, where to?

The war in Ukraine is overshadowing many people's travel plans for the summer.

© Julian Stratenschulte/dpa/dpa-tmn

The fact is:

Fear or dull feelings of insecurity are not reasons for cancellation.

Travel lawyer Paul Degott makes that clear.

He recommends securing yourself when booking and clarifying beforehand under what circumstances and how long in advance you can cancel a trip without giving a reason.

If in doubt, opt for flexible tariffs

The corona pandemic has at least brought something good for travelers here: Package tour operators have become more flexible with cancellation and rebooking options.

Some of the so-called flex options are already included when booking.

If not, then it is advisable to book them, says Karolina Wojtal from the European Consumer Center Germany.

"Yes, the tariffs often cost extra, but not so much that it ruins you," she says.

They are definitely to be recommended, especially for high-priced trips and family vacations with children.

Until when is free cancellation possible - and what are the conditions?

Travelers should clarify such questions before booking.

© Zacharie Scheurer/dpa-tmn

Because the war in Ukraine with its unforeseeable consequences for the summer travel season is one thing.

Corona on the other side is also still there.

Since last week, many countries are no longer high-risk areas, which makes the rules easier when entering Germany.

But of course it cannot be ruled out that countries will again be declared high-risk or virus variant areas, even at short notice before the trip.

So it's good to be flexible.

Pay attention to the details

According to Karolina Wojtal, however, there is a problem with the flex tariffs: the options for cancellation and rebooking are usually limited in time.

"The maximum I've seen is 14 days in advance." However, it is often not possible to assess two weeks in advance whether the holiday destination will become a hotspot, for example.

It is therefore important to read the tariff details carefully.

Wojtal also advises explicitly stating in the travel contract that you have booked the flex option and under what circumstances cancellation is possible.

Adjust travel insurance if necessary

Additional protection can be obtained with travel insurance.

However, in contrast to the Flex tariffs, you need a reason to activate them, according to Wojtal.

Fear, insecurity or the fact that you have changed your mind about the trip are excluded as reasons.

Common reasons for claiming such a policy are an illness, an accident, the loss of a job and, depending on the tariff, pregnancy.

According to Wojtal, old policies in particular often contain pandemic exclusion clauses and often exclude trips to countries for which there is a travel warning.

She advises: You should check this and, if necessary, ask the insurer to adjust it.

One more detail: You can often choose travel insurance (travel expenses, trip interruption or both combined) when booking for a surcharge - it can be worth it.

You should only see if the product really only covers one trip.

"You can often slip into an annual contract," says Wojtal.

Goodwill with travel agencies and tour operators

In view of the uncertainties caused by the war in Ukraine, travel agencies and tour operators are likely to show goodwill more often - for example in the case of rebooking requests.

This is the assumption of the German Travel Association (DRV), which represents the industry.

Finally vacation again: The travel industry is seeing increasing demand, but the war in Ukraine is fueling new uncertainties.

© Peter Kneffel/dpa/dpa-tmn

There will be a greater willingness to accept uncertainty, said DRV President Norbert Fiebig last week.

The sensitivity of the travel industry in this area is great.

Keep an eye out for individual trips

In contrast to package tours, you are generally not as well protected on trips you put together yourself.

"I'm dependent on the contract terms of the partner," says Karolina Wojtal.

"In addition, for example in the case of holiday accommodation, the law of the country in which the property is located often applies - and not German law."

An example:

If you have booked a hotel in a country for which a travel warning has been issued, package travelers can, depending on the local situation, refer to the existence of unavoidable extraordinary circumstances.

However, if the flight and hotel were booked separately and the hotel is still open, it can still offer the service.

And then?

Wojtal says that the customer still has to pay in such a case.

Only rarely did the hoteliers agree to goodwill.

In the experience of the consumer law expert, they often reacted with disinterest to such a customer request.

For this reason, travelers should also make sure that the contractual conditions of the individual providers allow cancellation or at least a rebooking of a tour they have put together themselves.

According to Wojtal, this is not as widespread as with package tours, but in their experience some providers have already reacted and offer more flexibility.

dpa