Travel insurance companies and the CAA have released useful information for those that have had flights cancelled following the Monarch Airlines administration.
On the 2nd October, Monarch Airlines announced that the company had ceased trading and was entering administration. As a result, all future holidays and flights provided by Monarch and their sister companies were cancelled with immediate effect. This equates to 750,000 future bookings cancelled with 110,000 people left stranded overseas – resulting in the UK’s largest peacetime repatriation effort.
Travel Instructions For Customers
Monarch ceased all customer services and posted instructions on their website with details on how to get money back and how to arrange alternative travel if already abroad. Many travel insurance companies also released advice to their customers on what to do. One of Charles James’ suppliers, SunWorld, sent out the following.
For those due to travel:
If you are booked on a Monarch Airlines flight, please do not go to your UK airport, as your flight will not be operating.
1. In the first instance customers should contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to understand what they can claim back and what they are entitled to.
2. In the event of no cover from the CAA then customers should contact their credit or debit card provider to see what cover they have under the regulation applicable to card purchases for their lost flights.
3. If customers who are not travelling have unused accommodation and airport parking costs, these can be considered under Travel Disruption where this cover has been purchased.
Refund Instructions
MoneySavingExpert has some very useful advice for those with Monarch flight-only bookings, and there are a few different ways you can recover money lost...
- If you booked before the 15th December last year, you may be ATOL protected and can claim a refund with them
- Your travel insurance policy may have specific travel firm failure cover which entitles you to claim with them
- If you paid via credit card and your booking cost more than £100 you may be able to claim via Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act
- If your booking came to less than £100 and you paid on a debit card, you may be able to try a chargeback with your bank
Full information can be found on the MoneySavingExpert website.
Travel Insurance and Getting The Right Cover
We have highlighted the importance of travel insurance previously, and the Monarch situation demonstrates just how costly and disruptive unexpected occurrences can be. What’s more, when taking out travel insurance, you should ensure that your policy comprehensively covers you for a wide range of eventualities.
If you are looking for help in choosing a travel insurance policy, we can help. Take a look at our services and get in touch here.
