Another day of strike in transport.
This Thursday, January 19, many unions are calling for a massive mobilization, after the presentation of the pension reform project by the government.
With direct consequences for travellers.
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On the train side, you have to prepare for difficult times.
"The circulation of trains will be very seriously disrupted from January 18 at 7 p.m. to January 20"
, says SNCF Connect on its site.
According to traffic forecasts, it will be necessary to count 1 TER out of 10, 1 TGV out of 3 on the North Axis, 1 TGV out of 4 on the East Axis, 1 TGV out of 5 on the Atlantic Axis, 1 TGV out of 3 on the 'South-East axis and 1 Ouigo out of 3. There will be no traffic for the day intercity trains, apart from a Paris-Clermont Ferrand return trip, nor for the night intercity trains on the nights of Wednesday to Thursday and Thursday to Friday.
If the traffic will be almost normal for the Eurostar and the Thalys, it will not be the same for the Lyria, which announces a
“highly disturbed” traffic
.
Disruptions are also to be expected on the trains of the Trenitalia company.
Part of the Frecciarossa will not circulate, as announced by the Italian company on its site.
Read alsoTGV, Thalys, Eurostar, Lyria... Ticket exchanges or refunds: which is more flexible?
The day promises to be just as disturbed in the air.
As a preventive measure, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) asked airlines on Tuesday to cancel one in five flights at Orly.
Precautions that should not be enough.
Disruptions and delays should be expected.
The DGAC thus invites passengers “
who can do so to postpone their trip and to inquire with their airline to find out the status of their flight
”.
But what if your train or flight is canceled because of the strike?
Instructions for obtaining a refund of your ticket.
Train
TGVs stationed at Montparnasse station.
STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP
When a train is canceled by the carrier itself, particularly in the event of a strike, the usual after-sales rules are relaxed.
“
The free and cost-free exchange for another date or a full refund of tickets is often offered to travelers, if the train is canceled or if its circulation is not ensured
”, indicates the SNCF Connect site.
You can exchange your ticket free of charge or request a full refund, provided you take the necessary steps before departure on SNCF Connect, at the ticket office or by telephone.
Unlike the Christmas holidays, there will be no exceptional compensation of 200%.
On the Trenitalia side, you can also modify or cancel your trip and be reimbursed 100% of the Frecciarossa ticket.
To obtain a full refund, you must fill out a form on the Italian company's website.
Some alternatives exist for those who absolutely need to travel this Thursday, such as bus transport.
Two companies share the sector in France: Flixbus and BlaBlaCar Bus.
The journeys are generally two to three times longer than by TGV.
It is however necessary to pay attention to the prices, which increase exponentially in the event of strike movements.
Read alsoCancelled train, missed connection, strike... How to get a refund for your ticket?
Airplane
Article 8 of European Regulation No. 261/2004 governs passenger rights.
LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
Similar rules prevail for air travel, when a company must cancel its flight.
Article 8 of European regulation n°261/2004, which defines the right of passengers, is clear: in the event of cancellation of a flight by the airline, the customer has the right to a refund of the ticket within 7 days. or another flight to the final destination under comparable conditions of carriage.
The company must, in addition, pay the passenger compensation of €250 for flights of less than 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 beyond, provided that be at least 4 hours late.
Passengers are also entitled to meals and drinks, two telephone calls, faxes or e-mails and accommodation if the substitute flight does not depart until the next day.
Warning,
Read alsoCascade flight cancellations this summer: how to get a refund for your ticket?
However, the rule has been slightly modified by the health crisis.
Since May 13, 2020, the European Commission has authorized carriers to offer a credit note, which can be refused and which is in any case refundable after 12 months if it has not been used.
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Good to know: the National Consumer Institute has drawn up a standard letter requesting a refund of credit.
According to the European Consumer Center (CEC), certain reasons for cancellation can be debated, such as strikes by company staff.
But more often than not, these are followed by compensation.
What about other costs already incurred, such as hotel or car rental?
Bad news for travelers.
The European regulation does not provide for reimbursement of services already paid for.
Even if technically, a reimbursement of 4500 euros of additional costs is possible, in fact the carrier will not be considered responsible for your incurred costs.
So be careful to pay attention to cancellation insurance when booking accommodation or vehicles.
Read also Canceled flight: how to get a refund for your plane ticket?
In the case of booking a package combining at least two different types of services in the same trip (transport, accommodation, car rental, visits, etc.), the situation is simpler.
If the travel agency (or the booking site) cancels your stay, it has the obligation to refund all payments to you within 14 days.
In this scenario, if the airline cancels your flight and your trip falls through, all of your costs will be refunded.