The festive season is notorious for being one of the most hectic times to travel, as thousands of Brits catch a plane or train to spend time with their loved ones, whether that’s across the UK or overseas. With some travel chaos already predicted in the lead-up to Christmas, it’s handy to know your rights when it comes to getting a refund and compensation for any delays or cancellations you may encounter.
Several strikes have already been announced, which could severely impact travel during the holiday season. Around 200 check-in and baggage handling staff working for easyJet at London Luton Airport are due to take strike action during the last two weekends of December in an ongoing pay dispute.
Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport is preparing to welcome seven million travellers through its four terminals during the festive period. It has also been revealed that Friday, 20 December, and Sunday, 28 December, are two of the busiest days for UK airports.
Additionally, the National Rail has confirmed that there will be “planned essential engineering works and upgrades taking place as Network Rail works to improve the railway” during the festive period. There could also be limited services, with some train companies making changes to their timetables.
So if you’re travelling during the busy festive season and get caught up in delays or cancellations, here’s everything you need to know. From getting a refund to compensation rights.
Flight refunds
If your flight is cancelled when travelling in or out of the UK, you have a legal right to either receive a refund or choose an alternative flight to your destination, according to MoneySavingExpert.
However, there are a few things you need to be aware of, as outlined by MoneySavingExpert.
- The airline is responsible, even if your booking was made through an online travel agency
- If you booked a package holiday, the responsibility lies with the tour operator
- You’re entitled to an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity, and it doesn’t need to be with the same airline
- You can request a different flight, but don’t go ahead and book one yourself
Additionally, if your flight is significantly delayed, which can vary from two to four hours, the airline must give you the following, as stated by Citizens Advice:
For more information, you can visit the Citizens’ Advice website. You should also check directly with your airline to see if you are entitled to a refund.
Flight compensation
The rules for flight compensation, when travelling in and out of the UK, vary depending on the type of delay or cancellation that occurred. It’s vital to remember that even if an airline proposes a credit note as a substitute for a refund, you’re fully within your rights to insist on a cash reimbursement, potentially up to £520.
As explained by MoneySavingExpert, under the UK/EU flight delay compensation scheme, specific flights qualify for compensation at a fixed rate. To be eligible, your flight must meet the following criteria:
- Your flight arrived more than three hours late at its destination
- The flight was scheduled in the past six years
- The delay was the airline’s fault
You could also be entitled to compensation if you couldn’t take your flight due to an overbooking.
MoneySavingExpert notes that compensation under EU/UK rules is about the “inconvenience of a delay”, rather than a refund of the flight ticket price. The amount you could receive depends on the duration of your delay and the distance you had travelled.
Additionally, it comes down to when you arrived, rather than when you left. Passengers are eligible for compensation when the flight arrives more than three hours after the scheduled time.
To check if you’re eligible for compensation, you should check directly with your airline.
Train refunds
The National Rail says that if your train is delayed or cancelled and you decide not to travel, you can obtain a refund for your unused ticket without incurring any charges from the original retailer. If you purchased your ticket from a train company, their contact details can be found on the National Rail’s Find a Train Company page.
Additionally, it’s useful to note that tickets purchased from self-service machines at stations often include instructions on how to claim a refund.
Train compensation
When it comes to compensation for your train travel, the National Rail states that if you arrive late at your destination due to a cancelled or delayed service, you might be able to claim some money back directly from the train company.
National Rail confirms that this will depend on the following:
-
Train company you travelled with – different companies have different guidelines, but they all offer compensation
-
Type of train ticket – compensation is calculated differently depending on the ticket purchased
-
Length of the delay – each train company has its own “compensation threshold”
The best way to determine if you’re entitled to compensation for your train travel is to check directly with the company you used to book your tickets. Claims can typically be made online, and in some cases by post, or even with allocated staff at the station.
For more information, you can visit the National Rail website.
