Flight cancellation question

[Amp34]

I've just been informed that both my outbound and return flights for an international trip over Christmas have been cancelled. We have been given the option of a refund or transfer to flights several days away from our booked flights which aren't possible due to work commitments. That means it won't be possible to actually fly out unless I pay an exorbitant amount to book a new flight on the same days with a different airline.

I naively assumed that my travel insurance would reimburse me for the cost of any hotel and activity costs I couldn't get back because I my flights were cancelled but apparently they will only cover that if it is just before the flight... Is there any way I can claim anything back (above the refund of the flights) to cover any costs I can't claim back on location as according to the travel insurance it's the airlines responsibility..?

I've had a look online but cant find anything other than delays etc.

Edit: even if I did take the flights on different days that would still mean I miss at least one internal flight with a different airline the day after I was originally supposed to arrive. Would the cancelled flight airline cover the cost of that?

 

[Mr Jones]

You tried calling and speaking to the cancelling airline? Maybe even go higher up the chain of command if the first speaker is useless?

 

[Cuchulain]

I've just been informed that both my outbound and return flights for an international trip over Christmas have been cancelled. We have been given the option of a refund or transfer to flights several days away from our booked flights which aren't possible due to work commitments. That means it won't be possible to actually fly out unless I pay an exorbitant amount to book a new flight on the same days with a different airline.

I naively assumed that my travel insurance would reimburse me for the cost of any hotel and activity costs I couldn't get back because I my flights were cancelled but apparently they will only cover that if it is just before the flight... Is there any way I can claim anything back (above the refund of the flights) to cover any costs I can't claim back on location as according to the travel insurance it's the airlines responsibility..?

I've had a look online but cant find anything other than delays etc.

Edit: even if I did take the flights on different days that would still mean I miss at least one internal flight with a different airline the day after I was originally supposed to arrive. Would the cancelled flight airline cover the cost of that?

If it'd been less than 14 days before your flights you'd have been entitled to compensation under EC Regulation No 261/2004. Unfortunately I think other than a refund for your flights you're buggered unless the airline decides to give you some kind of good will gesture.

 

[airwave99]

I naively assumed that my travel insurance would reimburse me for the cost of any hotel and activity costs I couldn't get back because I my flights were cancelled but apparently they will only cover that if it is just before the flight... Is there any way I can claim anything back (above the refund of the flights) to cover any costs I can't claim back on location as according to the travel insurance it's the airlines responsibility..?

I would have thought the same. Are there any travel insurance policies that cover you no matter when the flight was cancelled?

 

[D.P.]

This is why I hate airlines and insurance.I had similar things happen to me. Airline cancelled a flight and said I could fly day before or after but I had connecting fights and hotels on a large trip booked and sorted and it would be a royal pain to change anything. Insurance said it wasn't covered and to take it up with the airline who pointed to their T&Cs which say thy can pull your pants down and rape you whenever they want.


Spoke to our family attorney who said that he could probably win the case but likely will cost far more in legal expenses than I could win and there would still be the chance of loosing.