Q: I just booked a holiday online, but I’m finding things pretty confusing. How do I know if I have booked a package holiday? What happens if I need to cancel it or if the holiday company cancel? Where do I stand if my flight is cancelled? Help!
Thanks for your question. I hope we can make things a bit clearer for you. A package holiday is one sold at a total or inclusive price. It must be more than 24 hours and include an overnight stay.
Package holidays also must include at least two of the following: transport (flights, a cruise, or train or coach journeys, etc.); accommodation; car rental; other tourist services, like tours, excursions, guides, or tickets for concerts or theme parks
In the event that you need to cancel your trip, you may have to pay a fee. If there are unavoidable or extraordinary circumstances happening at or near your destination that will affect your holiday (for example war or a natural disaster), you may be able to cancel for free.
You have the option of transferring your trip to another person once you give the travel organiser reasonable written notice (at least 7 days). You and the person you are transferring the holiday to are responsible for any costs around the transfer.
In the event of the travel organiser cancelling the package holiday or a change in terms of the contract (including the price or type of accommodation), they must give you the option of either a replacement holiday of the same or better quality, a lower grade holiday with a refund of the difference in price, or a full refund within 14 days.
The organiser has the right to cancel the package due to factors out of their control. This includes an act of God, or where they didn’t get the number of people they needed for the package holiday.
If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a choice of a refund within seven days, te-routing to your final destination as soon as possible, or re-routing at a later date that is suitable for you.
You may also be entitled to compensation. If your flight is cancelled and it is part of a package holiday, you have additional rights regarding the rest of your holiday.
You should contact your travel organiser to talk through your options for rearranging your flights. If this is not possible and your holiday has to be cancelled, you are entitled to a replacement holiday or a full refund.
Limerick Citizens Information Centre answer your questions in the Limerick Post. If you have a question relating to social welfare issues, tenant or consumer rights, immigration, money, tax, housing, or employment, email [email protected], call 0818 075 780, or drop in to Riverstone House, Henry Street, V93 T28.
