BBC Watchdog: Swine flu outbreak

Tony

What Consumer Founder
Apr 7, 2008
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Here we look at what to do if you've booked a holiday in Mexico.

With swine flu gripping Mexico, the Foreign Office is advising against all non-essential travel to the country. But what does that mean if you're one of the thousands of people who planned to go on holiday there?

If you booked a package holiday through an ABTA-registered tour operator the chances are your holiday will be cancelled.

ABTA says that as long as the Foreign Office's advice not to travel is in place, none of its members will send holiday makers to the region. Instead, the holiday companies will offer passengers an alternative holiday or else a refund.

But you shouldn't have to make do with an alternative holiday you're not happy with, says Tom Hall, from The Lonely Planet. If you're not keen on the alternative holiday you've been offered, check the list of other destinations your holiday company flies to and make your own suggestion.

Tom says: "Do your own research. Find an alternative holiday that's being offered by your tour provider that's of an equivalent value, and suggest this to them as a solution."

And, he says, getting offered a refund could give you an opportunity to bag a bargain elsewhere.

He adds: "The advantage of taking a refund is that you are able to use that money to rebook a new holiday and there are some very good late deals at the moment."

The situation is less clear cut if you're travelling independently. Scheduled flights to Mexico may continue to operate despite the Foreign Office advice. ABTA says that if your flight does depart, but you choose not to travel on it, you may not be entitled to a refund from the airline.

Tom Hall agrees. "It depends entirely on what airline you're travelling with and what level of flexibility you have to change your ticket. But in some instances you might be able to rebook, or possibly delay the trip."

If you did plan to travel independently to Mexico but are now thinking of not going, you should check the details of your travel insurance policy. Some policies will cover the cost of cancellation following Foreign Office advice - but only if that advice relates to 'all travel' as opposed to 'all non-essential travel'.

Because the Foreign Office is currently advising against 'all non-essential travel', some independent travellers will find they aren't covered by their insurance policy and could be left out of pocket.

The Foreign Office's advice could change over the coming weeks. So whether you're travelling independently or with a tour operator, you should keep on eye on the latest information and keep in contact with your airline or holiday company. You should also make sure you have adequate travel insurance to cover you for the worst.



Swine flu outbreak