Fuel shortages and industrial action this sumner

[IrisDaisyMarigoldLillyRose]

Am worried about holidays - what are we supposed to do? They have been booked since xmas time 😬🙈

Have attempted to ask my travel insurance provider this morning and they are not giving me a clear answer - absolutely infuriating

For me it’s a case of wait and see. I pondered going to Vienna for a few days next month, but instead booked a week in the Peak District. I’m going by train (no driving licence). I booked a holiday to Crete in September before Trump invaded Iran, so I’m just sitting on that and seeing what happens. If I can’t go, I can’t go, and I’ll have to try and claim on my insurance.

I don’t think TAs can give you a definite answer because nobody knows.

As for industrial action, I’m sorry but as a member of a trade union I would defend anyone standing up for their employment rights, in whatever country they are in. I have been inconvenienced by IA before and I just suck it up and adapt.

Op we all know about the fuel issues but I have not heard about industrial action ? Can you elaborate please ?

@IrisDaisyMarigoldLillyRose Your insurer won’t be able to help you at this time because they only kick in if and when it needs to. If your airline isn’t able to fly you for any reason then UK law says they have to give you the option of another flight on a different date / time or a refund. If you get a refund from the airline then the insurer has nothing to pay.

Same applies to package holidays.

If you have booked non refundable accommodation separately then you might only use say six of seven nights if you take alternative flights. If you opt to cancel it then the insurer will look at whether or not you were given realistic flight alternatives to match the accommodation dates or whether it made it impossible to use the accommodation as planned. Only then will they agree to pay out.

It looks like there is going to be a lot of flight consolidation this summer. Fewer flights going, all full, and any remaining seats going for extortionate prices.

There’s honestly not a lot anyone can do until nearer the time, frustrating as it is.

Insurers don’t have a crystal ball and they’re obviously a business, won’t start giving out refunds to everyone who is slightly worried about a holiday in 3-4 months time. Wait and see.

I have to say though, I’m in a different country and have barely seen this mentioned in the news here. The UK seems to really focus on this topic right now, so it might not be as bad as it sounds once we actually get to the summer.

I don’t want a refund - i just want to know what the insurance I pay for snd have been paying for for several years actually covers! Why is this an unreasonable request?!!

It’s not unreasonable but your policy document will clearly set out what’s covered and what isn’t. Policies don’t usually cover acts of war, so it’ll depend on whether insurers consider any fuel shortages to be as a result of war which they won’t be able to tell you just now because there may be other influences at play when the time comes.

Where and when are you supposed to be going?

Pointless to expect answers from your travel agent at this stage /how on earth they be expected to see into the future? If your flight is cancelled due to act of war and your insurance says that acts of war/strikes invalidate insurance then that’s very clear /you are paying for insurance against only certain risks that you have signed up to. If you are paranoid about potentisl risks that no-one can predict, just don’t book ahead so far.

The documentation from the insurance company will give you this information.

Then read the documentation they would’ve sent you. Mine is 50+ pages long, but includes all the questions I could ever think of. I am not going to call my insurance “absolutely infuriating” just because I don’t fancy reading the documents myself.

The situation also changes day by day. They're not going to bother themselves with people travelling in 2-3 months time when they have no idea what will be happening then, they will be currently dealing with the people travelling in the next week or two. But even if there is significant disruption, most people's holidays will happen without issue.

Read your insurance policy. Also look on websites like Moneysaving Expert etc where there will be good quality, clear advice about what your rights are and how to enforce them if there is a problem.

Think about what you would do if you were told your holiday was cancelled. Would you look for somewhere else either in the UK or abroad - could you get there by train for example? Or would you take the opportunity to have a holiday at home and enjoy days out but have the comfort of your own bed each night and no packing and airport hassle?