San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu
Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => San Stefanos news and views => Topic started by: WINKIE on January 08, 2020, 06:13:27 PM
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Can anyone recommend a good travel insurance company for the over 65,s multi trip, worldwide, scratching my head, there are so many out there. Have minor ailments to declare, and no previous claims. Thanks for any advice folks.
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Have you looked on the comparison websites Winkie? For the last two years I have used a company called Holiday Extras, found them on Compare The Market. They offered good cover for a reasonable price even with several medical conditions declared.
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Yep used Holiday Extras myself and they were reasonable. Also used Multitrip as well who are quite good. Both these were yearly policies.
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Grateful thanks to both.
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Not sure how well they compare, but VirginMoney here (https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/travel-insurance/) say they cover all ages and most medical conditions.
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Have a look at Avanti, always had good dealings with them.
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I recommend myself as I'm an insurance broker!
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I recommend myself as I'm an insurance broker!
Sounds good to me. So what should we all be looking for and what can a broker do that beat the suggested companies? For many a year we stopped getting insurance at all, but last year took out yearly insurance. Waste of time as it turned out as we only made the trip to Corfu. However, being lucky enough to be able to go where and when we want and being bothered, we could be away 3-4 times this year - all Europe.
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We have a good few health problems between us and are in our 70s.
We have used AXA PPP and have actually had a huge claim in our first year with them-well £38,000, and we had no problems at all or delays in settlement and all done for us after the initial call and form fill.
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Thanks to all for your helpful posts, will trawl through the contacts later today.
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It depends what you're priority is really - I would always recommend a god level of medical expenses cover and to ensure that the cover for cancellation/curtailment is enough to cover the cost of your holiday. I would also always try and keep the policy excess below £100. If you have personal possessions cover under your home insurance then I would delete the baggage cover from the travel insurance (the level of cover is normally poor and the single article limit low in any event). Then its a case of single trip cover or annual cover, that depends totally on how often you plan on travelling. If you have pre-existing medical conditions then, personally, I would recommend going through a broker to ensure they are all fully disclosed and that the cover meets your requirements - I would say that wouldn't I :D. If you are fit and healthy and just want basic cover then hit the comparison sites but always check the excess and also what activities are covered under the policy - just in case you are hiring quads, going scuba diving etc. Anyone wants any advice or a quote - richard.huntley@saleinsurance.co.uk
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Thanks Richard, great information for everyone.
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Ours comes up for renewal in early June, so I will definitely be contacting you nearer the time. The rates are pretty high for over seventy-fives!
It's not clear yet whether our EHIC cards will be valid after January 31st. In any case, I've already said that if I die in Agios Stefanos I'd prefer to be buried there, but I'm not sure how possible that is for those who are not Orthodox. I really don't see the point of flying a bag of bones back to the UK for cremation. So the main issue is hospitalisation and medical repatriation. Since I'm more likely to die of a stroke or heart attack, and in either event only rapid intervention would achieve much, it comes down to accidents.
I know that's a bit morbid - but that's the whole point, really.
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We have had Sainsbuys multitrip worldwide for last four years. Never claimed and so upset one year that the premiums had jumped up in price. I was on the phone to complain and after a quick rant I became quiet as the girl explained it was for no other reason than last time you were 49, now you are 50.......Could have cried.
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We have had Sainsbuys multitrip worldwide for last four years. Never claimed and so upset one year that the premiums had jumped up in price. I was on the phone to complain and after a quick rant I became quiet as the girl explained it was for no other reason than last time you were 49, now you are 50.......Could have cried.
Haha ;D Bless you.!
We have our insurance attached to our bank account. I get a discount on the premium as I am a Lloyds bank pensioner (now that is old, Gary & Sam ;D) Have had a few medical claims, with no issue whatsoever. The fee includes AA cover and mobile phone cover also.
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I used to have an insurance with my bank years ago but OH wasn’t included and it stopped at a certain age,and there were quite a lot of extras to pay for reasons of my health.
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I used to have an insurance with my bank years ago but OH wasn’t included and it stopped at a certain age,and there were quite a lot of extras to pay for reasons of my health.
Yes that happens Maggie :)
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We need to stay with our current company as our premium is guaranteed to increase only by the rate of inflation which is a real bonus.
We do always keep them informed of any changes healthwise though.
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Paid for our insurance recently and it's practically the same price as last year so happy with that
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Ours gone up over a 100 quid, called them, it s because your now 65 :'( :'( :'(.
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Increases seem to occur mostly every five years from our experience.
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I'm sure most who are booked for this year will already have insurance, but if not it might be worth a look now as this coronavirus could be a problem as they seem to be now implying it could impact summer - awful!
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It seems that few if any insurers will pay out for cancellation unless the Foreign Office issues a "Do not travel" notice. Being in the very high risk category and cancelling, even with a doctor's letter, does not seem to be enough. Covid-19 may, possibly, be receding by August, but there doesn't seem any likelihood by May.
I'm sure it must be a worrying time in the village. I haven't seen any reports on package holiday bookings, but flight bookings world-wide are significantly down.
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As you know I'm an insurance broker and this is pretty much the market stance on the situation:
Travel Insurance Update: Coronavirus COVID-19
With the spread of the Coronavirus prompting many calls to the office please find some guidance below for your Travel Insurance customers.
Will I be covered if I contract Coronavirus and need to cancel my trip?
Yes, you are covered for unforeseen cancellation of your trip. For a valid claim to be processed you will require a medical certificate from a doctor confirming that you were not well enough to travel.
I don’t want to travel due to Coronavirus, can I cancel my holiday and claim on my Travel Insurance?
No, disinclination to travel is not covered as an insured peril.
In the first instance you should contact your tour operator or transport and accommodation provider to request a refund of the costs or to change the dates of your trip.
Some of our insurers will allow us to amend the dates or destination on your policy provided an alternative trip is booked/confirmed (terms may apply).
If your trip has been cancelled due to Coronavirus insurers may offer a part of full refund of the policy.
If I contract Coronavirus when I'm on holiday will I be covered on my Travel Insurance for medical treatment?
Yes, unforeseen medical expenses and repatriation cover is included on our policies provided a full and accurate declaration was made at the time of purchase.
Can I still choose to travel if the FCO advises against it?
No, none of our policies cover customers under any section if they decide to travel against the advice of the FCO. You can stay up to date with the latest travel advice here.
Am I covered if I want to cut my trip short due to Coronavirus fears?
No, in the first instance you should contact your tour operator or transport and accommodation for their advice. If you are in a destination which is impacted by the virus you should follow advice of the local authorities.
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My GD has had her skiing trip postponed so that decision was made for her.
One of my neighbours had a cruise booked and being an elderly couple with OH suffering with early Alzheimer’s she was worried.
The company have agreed for them to cancel and will honour their payment in full if they book again by the end of the year and had a letter from their doctor confirming their vulnerability.
All companies respond in their own way so we need to make our own checks.
Our holiday is booked for early May,no idea yet what the situation will be and I am not going to worry.
We are in the senior age group both with other long standing underlying conditions well documented and known by our insurers.
Thank you for the information RJN- just seen it.
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Thanks for the information . Like many I am in the at high risk group and planning to visit in May, we will just wait and hope for he best, we took out insurance when we booked and will go with the advice of FCO and Doctors .Lets hope for the sake of AS and all other small resorts that depends on tourism it doesn't hit too hard :)
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TUI charge a £200 deposit per person. If you ask to re-book for any reason, you forfeit the deposit: a re-booking counts as a cancellation. There appear to be no exceptional circumstances.
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Thanks for the information . Like many I am in the at high risk group and planning to visit in May, we will just wait and hope for he best, we took out insurance when we booked and will go with the advice of FCO and Doctors .Lets hope for the sake of AS and all other small resorts that depends on tourism it doesn't hit too hard :)
I do hope so,they must be very concerned.
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What may be worrying them are the number of Italian visitors they get in the Summer. What are the choices, do they cancel their bookings or just carry on and hope for the best?
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I think Italy are talking about stopping flights which means there will be a lot of empty places in the village.
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Surely a lot of Italians come over on the ferry?
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I think it will be ferries too before too long.
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Greece currently has 66 cases - all apparently link to a group who went to Israel and Egypt in February. Unlike the Italians, Greece has got its act together from day one. All sports and many social events will take place without spectators for two weeks, and there will be no school trips.
Italy ranks sixth in tourist visitors to Greece, but I can't find statistics for Corfu, which, given its proximity, I expect to be higher. It's obvious that Greece is taking the situation seriously. It's vital for it to protect the tourist income as far as possible. Over 10 million people come from other European countries each year, compare to about 1.3 million from Italy. Those people must be made to feel safe and confident. If Italy is still in effective lock-down, I expect stringent tests and measures to be put in place. Greece is good at stringent measures: it put a huge proportion of its own on people on bread and water to tackle the demands of the IMF and ECB.
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Italy has one of the best medical systems in Europe, and I’d for one put them up against anything in the UK. Okay their hygiene (kissing on meet) might be suspect and a feature, but if it’s like Spanish flu, there is, for whatever reason, an under reporting of the true situation going on. I would not believe anything this UK government has told us, simply because of the tissue of lies and miss-information they have come out with e.g. “we have been in discussions with the supermarkets…” when they say not! Okay a trivial one, but there are many more. To put it simply I don’t trust them and I suspect the situation is a lot more tenuous. Let’s hope this is all wrong and in a few weeks’ time we are all looking forward to Corfu, somehow I think not!
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Im tending to agree with you GB
Its not meant to peak for 3 months
I do wonder if we'll get to the point where non essential air/ferry travel is cancelled
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Over here in Corfu, things are pretty calm, there are no shortages of toilet roll, soap or other items and whilst according to local news reports there have been people tested there are no confirmed cases here on the island. Yesterday in Corfu Town the Parade for Othodoxy Sunday with the bands playng went ahead as normal. I haven't seen anyone wearing masks.
The leading headlnes are more towards the sad situation on the borders with the migrant situation and Ergodan. Followed by the Co-Vid situation in Northern Italy.
So really we will have to wait and see on a daily basis if anything changes - whilst meanwhile life goes on as normal - of course the daily chat in the local kafeneions is about Ergodan, the Italian situation and the effect of all this on the tourism sector. So it is business as normal........
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I don’t think there is any reason to suspect things are worse than we are being told and I am not panicking at all at the moment.
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Panic achieves nothing. But there will certainly be many more cases, because the statistics can only report upon what is notified. People with mild symptoms will not get themselves tested or talk to a doctor.
Italy has exponential growth in infections and deaths. UK numbers are rising at a slightly slower rate, but still significantly. The UK is a few weeks behind Italy and we can expect a similar, but not identical rise. The government is aiming to push the peak back into the summer to spread the load. We may well see a ban on most group social activities in a few weeks' time.
The bald fact is that the virus will spread throughout the community. We have no immunity to it. Older people (I'm one) must be protected as much as possible until herd immunity has built up, when the virus will cease to spread.
Given the USA's massive incompetence in taking this seriously there may soon be a case for banning flights from America!
It's all very sad - but there is no magic potion that will wish it away.
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Spot on Jim.
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Some call it panic, others common sense. Facts are the UK government here (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy) are now advising you not to travel to Italy. They infer (quote) an end date of 31Dec20 (okay subject to change), so your insurance will be invalid should you travel there. How long before this is extended to other countries, could people get to Corfu or elsewhere (like now) and not be able to get back? I don’t believe much the current UK government tell us in any case, more so on the subject of the virus as their only real concern (important as it is) is the cost in money terms.
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There is a difference between common sense and panic,and I have just been to our GP surgery for a routine blood test appointment and there is calm there.
I find no reason not to trust what we are being told by the Government via the Chief Medical Officer and shall be guided by their advice.
If they advise not to travel then I shan't travel,but I think money is way down the list of priorities and do not think making the situation political is going to be in the least productive,quite the opposite.This is a global threat.
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You read too much into post M. I've never been one for trusting HMG whatever their politics. There are facts out there whereby they have lied. If they come out and ban sporting events once Cheltenham is over, I’ll be even more suspicious ….
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Can't agree with you on this, GB. The stats are ratified by the WHO. The infection rate is rising. Before long, if nothing is done, it will rise exponentially, as it is in Italy.
I have an Italian friend who is an international interpreter and university interpreter lecturer. She was official interpreter for the Italian football team. She is highly intelligent. Last week she posted a devastating rant on Facebook criticising the incompetence of the Italian authorities. When they closed the Northern Italy universities they did not stipulate that students and staff must remain there, and consequently students left for all parts of the country. As we have seen, every region of Italy now has a steeply-rising infection rate. The same thing happened when they announced the restrictions for the whole of the north - thousands fled overnight to all regions.
This is serious situation, and we make have to accept that 2020 will be a write-off in terms of social events and travel. This may have terrible consequences for the tourist industry in the Mediterranean region, which has a short season. TUI's shares are down 12%, and may fall further.
Unlike many evils of the last decade, the government is not responsible for this one. I don't quite see what there is for them to lie about, frankly. We can argue about their strategy, but they have said what it is.
Corfu is the nearest point in Greece to Italy. It is vulnerable.
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A short while ago the UK's deputy chief medical officer responded to criticism of the government's failure to ban sporting events:
Dr Harries said cancelling big outdoor events like football matches would not necessarily be a decision supported by science.
"The virus will not survive very long outside," she said. "Many outdoor events, particularly, are relatively safe."
BBC
That may be good news for places like Corfu, where most things happen outside. I am seeking expert opinion.
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All everyone I speak to keeps asking me (and I don't have the answer) is why is Italy in such a serious situation stats show the worse outside of China?
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Not being an expert myself I rely n the experts and have no alternative but to trust them.
I know both I and OH are right in the ‘at risk’ band but the best thing we can do is to follow the advice.
My trip is booked in early May and I shall follow the advice at the time.
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As I said above - they did things in the wrong order!
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Not too sure what you are disagreeing with Jimbo as I agree with most you have said apart from the "outside" bit!
As for Italy, we have many friends living there, both English and Italian. We know the place really well and know only too well their laid back attitude in doing things can be haphazard. It's their nature, as is hugging and kissing to greet, hopefully they may have stopped it a little for now. They are taking it very seriously as they've locked down the entire population with heavy fines and/or jail if you break the rules. Trouble is Italians love breaking the rules until they are caught.
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All over 70s will be told to stay indoors for four months soon I read in the news. Bang goes some holidays.
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They are going to ASK over 70s i believe,not make so far.
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They can make us if they refuse rights to those who don't, or change the law, or turn us into a police state, or impose martial law, or declare a state of emergency!
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Yes but at the moment we are not at that stage.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
We have a system started here via our neighbourhood website where we have leafleted the area with telephone numbers of volunteers who are willing to help the vulnerable with shopping and errands.Man have no internet access so it had to be leaflets.
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Yes - but the measures haven't come into effect yet, so we don't know the wording.
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No it is a waiting game so we may as well sit back end enjoy what we can while we can
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I really think those of us that don’t work (not just the 70+), should have been self-isolating for a few weeks now and not waiting for the government to “ask” or “tell” us.
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Have you checked with your bank, lots of accounts now have discounted travel insurance among other things. Most qualify for free or low cost travel insurance with excellent cover. It worth asking.
B16RAM Derby
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I really think those of us that don’t work (not just the 70+), should have been self-isolating for a few weeks now and not waiting for the government to “ask” or “tell” us.
Sorry I just don’t agree.
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I really think those of us that don’t work (not just the 70+), should have been self-isolating for a few weeks now and not waiting for the government to “ask” or “tell” us.
That's not really practical for everyone though. I visit my dad who is 90, daily. He had 3 medical appointments last week, which he was told he had to keep.
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The best information we have today is that the isolation will be advisory and voluntary. The fact is there is nowhere near enough ICU capacity to cope with a huge peak in critical cases, so the idea is to keep the most vulnerable as well as possible for as long as possible to spread the load. So that means it's up to us as individuals or families to make a judgement call as to what we do about our lives, including travel.
It seems to me that we can help not just ourselves as individuals but our entire society by being as responsible as possible for as long as possible. We are far from the peak.
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That's not really practical for everyone though. I visit my dad who is 90, daily. He had 3 medical appointments last week, which he was told he had to keep.
That's totally right Karen, no way can everybody do such. Same goes for everyone in voluntry work, with the latter word being the operative - it is work:) Keep it going and take care.
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That's totally right Karen, no way can everybody do such. Same goes for everyone in voluntry work, with the latter word being the operative - it is work:) Keep it going and take care.
Thanks geordie, you take care too!
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I've heard back at from my MP. She's very good pursuing things like this:
Dear Jim,
Thank you for your email about travel insurance and Coronavirus.
I understand and share your concerns about coronavirus and the impact on travel plans for people who are elderly or have long term health conditions. I agree that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office needs to issue more robust advice on travel outside the UK, both to protect citizens and allow people to make a claim on their travel insurance. I have raised this with the Government and I will contact you again when I receive a response.
You may be aware that the Government is bringing forward emergency legislation in the next few days to deal with the pandemic. Proposals are extensive and are based on the principle of powers being enacted only when emergency thresholds are reached. I support the Government’s intention to bring forward emergency legislation, but will, of course, scrutinise any proposals extending Government powers to ensure they are proportionate and time-limited.
[Standard virus advice omitted]
Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP
Labour Member of Parliament for Hull North
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Clear and to the point
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Hi we have booked to travel to san stefanos on may 29 we have booked through tui are we protected for a refund if they decide we are unable to travel
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Hi we have booked to travel to san stefanos on may 29 we have booked through tui are we protected for a refund if they decide we are unable to travel
I understand you are. We have amended our holiday to next year, rather than pay the final balance, knowing that we wouldn't have gone anyway, our choice :)
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Hi we have booked to travel to san stefanos on may 29 we have booked through tui are we protected for a refund if they decide we are unable to travel
We are booked with them and should be travelling on 8th May.
We have already paid and are just waiting to be contacted when more is known.
We are already booked for next May so a refund would be best for us unless we can get three weeks mid to end of September.
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We are booked with them and should be travelling on 8th May.
We have already paid and are just waiting to be contacted when more is known.
We are already booked for next May so a refund would be best for us unless we can get three weeks mid to end of September.
Little way to go yet Maggie, but I'm sure the travel insurance would cover you, if you can't travel for health reasons.
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Yes I have spoke to them so I am not worrying,nothing I can do at this stage is there,
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Yes I have spoke to them so I am not worrying,nothing I can do at this stage is there,
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No point in worrying at all Maggie, we can't change anything :)
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Thanks for the information we have also paid in full for our may holiday and also booked for September but unable to transfer to next year because of work commitments
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Thanks for the information we have also paid in full for our may holiday and also booked for September but unable to transfer to next year because of work commitments
So if your holiday is cancelled you need to ask for a refund, or your travel insurance should cover you. Hope you get your holiday!
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Dont forget that if you paid by credit card and do not get what you paid for you claim back from them. To claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, the item or service you bought must have cost over £100 and not more than £30,000.
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Dont forget that if you paid by credit card and do not get what you paid for you claim back from them. To claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, the item or service you bought must have cost over £100 and not more than £30,000.
Good advice!
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He good advice SB.
I am resigned to the fact that there will be no holiday this year.
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Me to. No holiday this year. What a shame. Due to fly 10th may. Looked at May next year and alot more expensive than we paid this year.. keep safe.
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Me to. No holiday this year. What a shame. Due to fly 10th may. Looked at May next year and alot more expensive than we paid this year.. keep safe.
Definitely more expensive. We phoned to amend our holiday with TUI no extra charge and gave us £100 off, which brought it down to our original price. Very pleased with TUI :)
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Me to. No holiday this year. What a shame. Due to fly 10th may. Looked at May next year and alot more expensive than we paid this year.. keep safe.
We were due to fly on 8th May and by some quirk of fate I scrolled through for next year as soon as 2021 was published and booked 3 weeks Little Prince £550 each.
Not much more than the three weeks this year.