Holiday vacations don’t always turn out the way you want them to. Even if you spend time carefully planning your itinerary to make sure that you’re going to have the best time of your life, there might be things out of your control that can spoil the fun.
You may encounter issues like flight delays or forced additional expenses that you did not plan for. Or maybe the hotel room that was promised to you end up being the total opposite of what you were expecting.
Your holiday should be your reprieve from the daily chaos of everyday life. It shouldn’t be something that will inflict added stress. In the event that you go out on vacation and it turns out to be a disaster, you have every right to complain and be compensated.
Things you can claim for
You can only file a claim for things that weren’t delivered as promised.
The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 has outlined the items that you can claim for.
Loss of value
This refers to the difference between what you paid for and what you got. Say you booked for a deluxe suite with a private jacuzzi and kitchen amenities. When you get to the hotel, the room was not available, and you end up being downgraded to a lower-tier suite with none of the features that were promised in the first room. Should this type of thing happen, you can claim the difference in price between the two suites.
Out-of-pocket expenses
This one is pretty self-explanatory. It refers to the additional expenses you incurred due to breach of contract. Take food, for example. If you were promised special meals with dietary restrictions but it wasn’t offered to you, and you had to spring for a separate meal, then you can have the cost of the replacement reimbursed.
Loss of enjoyment
This refers to the compensation for the disappointment and distress due to things not going the way they’re intended to. It could be as simple as an out-of-order pool when you were promised a functioning one. It could be the hotel you booked suddenly undergoing renovations that spoiled your stay. It could be tricky to file for a claim under this condition, but if you can prove the negative impact the unexpected changes had on your holiday, then you have a solid case.
How to claim for compensation
For starters, you should collect all the evidence that can prove your claims. All pieces of evidence, no matter how small, can help your case. Collect all the photos, videos, and receipts, and take note of the contact details of the travel agency or holidaymaker who failed to deliver their promise.
Once you have everything, you can complain directly to your travel agent, or you can bring it up to the trader in writing with 28 days. You can also file a complaint to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) or The Association of Independent Tour Operators should your initial claims be rejected. Another option would be going to smalls claims court, although it usually involves a daunting process.
You have every right to complain if you’re unhappy with your package holiday. If you need a firm who knows how to fight for you over your mis-sold holiday, get in touch.