Coronavirus concerns
Discussion
We have a layover in Moscow. Government advice:
On 16 March, it was reported that the Mayor of Moscow had extended this list to include the UK, US, all EU member States, Ukraine, Belarus and other European countries. Passengers arriving from these countries will be asked on arrival in Moscow to sign a document agreeing to self-isolate at home for a period of 14 days. In a small number of cases foreign visitors have been placed in enforced quarantine if they have been found not to have complied with this requirement. The requirement extends to family members or anyone living with those arriving from these countries.
Enough to trigger our travel insurance?
On 16 March, it was reported that the Mayor of Moscow had extended this list to include the UK, US, all EU member States, Ukraine, Belarus and other European countries. Passengers arriving from these countries will be asked on arrival in Moscow to sign a document agreeing to self-isolate at home for a period of 14 days. In a small number of cases foreign visitors have been placed in enforced quarantine if they have been found not to have complied with this requirement. The requirement extends to family members or anyone living with those arriving from these countries.
Enough to trigger our travel insurance?
Sheepshanks said:
Says on the 111 site that they (111) can issue them.
I don't know what the drill is for cancellation claims normally - I'd have expected they'd want something more than a sick note? In the current situation I can't see them being happy to pay based on sick notes which are being given without any checks. But it might just be hard luck for the insurers.
What else could they possibly ask for? I don't know what the drill is for cancellation claims normally - I'd have expected they'd want something more than a sick note? In the current situation I can't see them being happy to pay based on sick notes which are being given without any checks. But it might just be hard luck for the insurers.
They should be paying out on the basis of Boris' advice to limit non-essential travel anyway, tbh.
So big development:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51924405
All non-essential foreign travel advised against for next 30 days. So flights should be cancelled and refunded, and travel insurance claims should kick in.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51924405
All non-essential foreign travel advised against for next 30 days. So flights should be cancelled and refunded, and travel insurance claims should kick in.
768 said:
Interesting. Hope the cancellations go through smoothly for people.
I have zero ability to contact our travel agent - their phones don't even queue. Can't get through to airline either (Aeroflot). Going to send an e-mail to both of them plus my travel insurer in advance of our intended flight date so they are all on notice.REALIST123 said:
Lord.Vader said:
Looks like Singapore / Bali is off, Singapore advising 14 day Q upon arrival.
Bugger.
Whats the crack with claiming non-refundable from Booking.com? Travel insurance job i assume?
My daughter had a trip to NYC next month, flights with BA, hotel through B.com, non refundable. Bugger.
Whats the crack with claiming non-refundable from Booking.com? Travel insurance job i assume?
She was contacted by both companies and given a full refund.
It may be that in her case, being NY, the hotel couldn’t offer accommodation so they and B.com tried to look good and offer ‘goodwill’, even though they’d ultimately have to refund in any case, but I think you have a good chance of a refund.
It's all very frustrating. Admiral policy is we need evidence of having sought a refund before we can put in a claim. Yet we can't get through to agent (Opodo) - simply cuts us off, no queue - the airline (Aeroflot) - doesn't even ring - or the hotel agent (Agoda), doesn't queue. So what are we meant to do?
Carbon Sasquatch said:
Depends how quickly you need the money back.
Get an itemised phone bill ? That will prove you tried - then if there's any issue when you eventually get through, for example, they say you're too late, you have the evidence that Admiral asked for.
No rush, but I don't want to get told that we needed to request a refund before we were due to fly (Friday) and therefore the insurer isn't covering us. An itemised phone bill is a good idea, thank you. I have sent Admiral an e-mail, if I can find an e-mail address for Opodo and Aeroflot will e-mail them as well. Get an itemised phone bill ? That will prove you tried - then if there's any issue when you eventually get through, for example, they say you're too late, you have the evidence that Admiral asked for.
Carbon Sasquatch said:
Agree - emails also useful - any evidence that you tried ought to be good enough. Maybe ask Admiral to confirm that now whilst people are still somewhat understanding of the difficulties ?
Admiral have said not to call them unless it relates to an actual emergency, so hopefully my e-mail to them is sufficient!HoHoHo said:
Somewhat frustrated with the following:
Skiing in two weeks, French Alps
Hotel has refused to refund money stating terms that include: Resort being shutdown by a Government will result in no refund
EasyJet are refusing to refund flights to Geneva regardless of the fact the FCO has a directive saying 'Don't Fly'
Holiday in Dubai 6th April
Hotel refunded not a problem
Emirates are reusing a refund again not interest in the fact the UK Government are advising against all but essential travel saying 'Our aircraft are flying, we can therefore get you to your destination'
I find it amazing these airlines can simply ignore the fact our government has internationally acknowledged advice yet because they are still offering flights for 'essential travel' we can't have a refund.
To be fair, Emirates have offered to change flights to another date free of charge within 11 months of the booking date, we simply pay more if it's more expensive...........
Trying currently to save a business and employees I really have no idea when I be available to travel again and whilst I understand their terms (to a point) the Government are saying don't fly!.......
AAAgggghhhh..........
Do you have insurance?Skiing in two weeks, French Alps
Hotel has refused to refund money stating terms that include: Resort being shutdown by a Government will result in no refund
EasyJet are refusing to refund flights to Geneva regardless of the fact the FCO has a directive saying 'Don't Fly'
Holiday in Dubai 6th April
Hotel refunded not a problem
Emirates are reusing a refund again not interest in the fact the UK Government are advising against all but essential travel saying 'Our aircraft are flying, we can therefore get you to your destination'
I find it amazing these airlines can simply ignore the fact our government has internationally acknowledged advice yet because they are still offering flights for 'essential travel' we can't have a refund.
To be fair, Emirates have offered to change flights to another date free of charge within 11 months of the booking date, we simply pay more if it's more expensive...........
Trying currently to save a business and employees I really have no idea when I be available to travel again and whilst I understand their terms (to a point) the Government are saying don't fly!.......
AAAgggghhhh..........
Edited by HoHoHo on Wednesday 18th March 13:57
Update: got a call from a very friendly Russian Aeroflot representative after an e-mail to them. She said we are entitled to a full refund or to re-book with full cancellation rights - however the refund needs to be processed by the agent, Opodo. She has sent me an e-mail confirming we are entitled to a refund looping Opodo in, but admits Opodo are very difficult to get in touch with, even for them! (Though, she notes, not as bad as GoToGate!).
The trigger was apparently Japan closing its borders by enforcing quarantine rather than the UK Government's advice against essential travel.
The trigger was apparently Japan closing its borders by enforcing quarantine rather than the UK Government's advice against essential travel.
Edited by 156651 on Wednesday 18th March 16:30
156651 said:
Update: got a call from a very friendly Russian Aeroflot representative after an e-mail to them. She said we are entitled to a full refund or to re-book with full cancellation rights - however the refund needs to be processed by the agent, Opodo. She has sent me an e-mail confirming we are entitled to a refund looping Opodo in, but admits Opodo are very difficult to get in touch with, even for them! (Though, she notes, not as bad as GoToGate!).
The trigger was apparently Japan closing its borders by enforcing quarantine rather than the UK Government's advice against essential travel.
So, although Aeroflot have green lighted my refund, I still can't get through to Opodo - still doesn't queue, just cuts me off. Chased them by e-mail, and got an automated response saying the e-mail address is no longer in use. Infuriating. Think it might be chargeback time...The trigger was apparently Japan closing its borders by enforcing quarantine rather than the UK Government's advice against essential travel.
Edited by 156651 on Wednesday 18th March 16:30
croyde said:
Just called Stena about my ferry trip to Holland in April. No refunds but you can amend for free, obviously paying any difference, up to November.
Thing is the plan was to go in April, not at any other time.
On a lighter note, I have all these holidays I have taken off work. Was going to suggest I get them back and work instead but it'll mean depriving a now poor freelancer of some money.
I'll leave it be. Doubt I'll be able to afford a holiday if this all blows over.
What to do with my holidays is my problem to! Have 14 days to use by end of April, and employer isn't budging on the policy of only carrying 5. Will use 4 for house move and can't decide whether to sell 5 or whether to take them and sit at home doing nothing alone ...Thing is the plan was to go in April, not at any other time.
On a lighter note, I have all these holidays I have taken off work. Was going to suggest I get them back and work instead but it'll mean depriving a now poor freelancer of some money.
I'll leave it be. Doubt I'll be able to afford a holiday if this all blows over.
alorotom said:
Received a message last night from KLM about our 22nd-31st August flights to Hong Kong suggesting we either change or opt for a credit voucher.
They have altered their rules so if you take the voucher if you don’t use it 12mths from issue you can then request a refund.
The flights are 5mths away and while I was thinking of cancelling we have opted for the voucher with the view to accessing the refund this time next year rather than wait it out as tbh we’d rather not be going.
Isn't that just lending KLM your money for a year and taking the (probably slim) risk that they go bust in the meantime?They have altered their rules so if you take the voucher if you don’t use it 12mths from issue you can then request a refund.
The flights are 5mths away and while I was thinking of cancelling we have opted for the voucher with the view to accessing the refund this time next year rather than wait it out as tbh we’d rather not be going.
Admiral paid out 293 quid to me - 353 quid uncancellable hotel plus 90 quid cancellation fee for rail pass minus 150 quid excess (cheeky buggers charge the 75 quid excess per person not per policy).
Still waiting on my amex chargeback for the flights - though admiral says if it doesn't come through I can submit the claim to them with no additional excess.
Still waiting on my amex chargeback for the flights - though admiral says if it doesn't come through I can submit the claim to them with no additional excess.
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