Thousands may miss out on flight cancellation compensation
By Elliot Wright, 16th December 2009
Thousands of travellers affected by the planned British Airways
strike may face further disappointment after the airline revealed
that it is unlikely to reward compensation for cancelled
flights.
Under EU law, airlines do not have to pay flight cancellation
compensation if their services have been disrupted by
"extraordinary circumstances".
In the past, passengers have been refused flight compensation
if, for example, a technical defect or an act terrorism was to
blame. However, the regulations were recently updated to include
industrial action as an "extraordinary circumstance" so it is
expected thousands will miss out on redress.
In addition, as the ballot for the strike was announced some
weeks ago, travel insurance companies will be reluctant to pay out
to people who have booked their holidays since then.
However, there may be a glimmer of hope for passengers who had
paid for their flights on a credit card.
Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit
Act customers can seek compensation for cancelled flights from
their credit card provider
Head of research for Which? Holiday, Rochelle Turner, has
reminded consumers that under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act
they can seek compensation for cancelled flights from their credit
card provider.
As long as the tickets cost between £100 and £30,000 and was
partly or fully paid for on a credit card then people should be
covered.
Helpful links:
Claims Financial
Section 75 refunds
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