Holidaymakers urged to check cancellation and refund policy for post-Brexit travel bookings

Consumer group Which? has said that millions of holidaymakers are being left in the dark after a number of the UK’s biggest travel companies were unable to provide any reassurance over travel arrangements post-Brexit.

Which? approached Thomas Cook, TUI, Jet 2, Expedia, and On the Beach to explore what impact a ‘no deal’ would have on holidaymakers who have booked to travel after Britain leaves the EU on 29th March 2019.

TUI, Jet2 and On The Beach ‘failed to provide any reassurance that any information would be communicated upfront’ according to Which?.

Which? also found that Thomas Cook had changed its terms and conditions to explicitly state that the holiday firm will not provide compensation to holidaymakers or cover losses, nor reimburse expenses, if circumstances change as a result of a ‘no deal’.

Expedia was the only company trying to offer some reassurance to travelers, telling Which? that they believed airlines would still be subject to Regulation 261/2004 and the Package Travel Directive, basically meaning holidaymakers could still be entitled to compensation and entitled to hold the package holiday company responsible for their entire booked trip.

Expedia is also not yet selling holidays post-March 2019.

Check refund policy

However, Ryanair and Lufthansa have both already warned that UK holidaymakers could face flight disruption as a result of Brexit.

Which? is urging holidaymakers who have booked to travel after 29th March 2019 to check their cancellation and refund policy.

Peter Vicary-Smith, Chief Executive of Which?, said: “This uncertainty for holidaymakers is just one of the many issues affecting people’s everyday lives that need to be resolved as we move closer to the date that the UK leaves the EU.

“We want to work with Government and businesses on issues such as this in order to deliver a Brexit that puts consumers first.”

The latest advice from Which? comes after it launched its Consumer Charter for Brexit yesterday, which calls on the Government to deliver a Brexit that puts consumers first.

Vicary-Smith added: “We want to ensure that people are supported by high levels of rights and protection – and with greater access than ever before to quality, affordable products and services.

“We must not miss the opportunity for the UK to improve consumer protections to become a world-leader. With control over all aspects of consumer protection the UK can and must do something special.”