Credit card refunds and travel/ticket agents

[Mickie]

Morning all

We are half booked for October next year-ie have a fly drive with BA as prices were just so good, and wanted something to hope for! It’s not currently cover by BA Covid guarantee as that only goes up to end of August. However I’m fairly relaxed as BA have been good to us, as they have been to many Dibbers. I think worst that could happen is a £300 voucher that we would use, and worst case is lose £300 which is a typical insurance excess anyway.

It’s not so easy with tickets and accommodation. If you read the small print section 75 only applies where you have a direct relationship with the seller and the example of travel agents/ticket agents is given as something that breaks that direct relationship. Confusingly though a holiday company acting as the Tour Operator (ie Virgin Holiday, Tui, etc for a full package) would count as a direct relationship not a third party.

Just wonder what people’s experience is of this if they have had to rely on section 75. Obviously section 75 doesn’t cover for everything, but it’s useful cover, considering some of these businesses may not hang on much longer. Best way seems to bite the bullet and buy from WDTC, who’s T&C say you are buying from the Walt Disney Co so that should be covered. Obviously it’s not the cheapest option to get ticket and hotel protection, but looks like the safest so probably worth it.

I’m aware some companies offer Covid protection or “insurance” but these don’t, or at least I haven’t seen the evidence, that these are backed by an independent insurance policy. If they aren’t then they are pretty worthless.

[Princess Jools]

I tried to claim back via section 75 for the 20% loss of tickets which was 255quid. Went through the claim and it was rejected as I had accepted the 80% already. So that's my experience and sadly means I will either buy tickets direct or have to take out the insurance next time.