Consumer rights for package holidays

If you experience a flight delay or flight cancellation but have purchased your flight as part of a package holiday, there are special circumstances you should be aware of. You may not always be entitled to compensation.

A package holiday is when you buy a combination of two or more types of travel services for the same holiday/trip. This includes, for example, transportation, accommodation, and car rental. A package holiday can either be pre-arranged or a tailored package where you have chosen the desired services yourself.

Your trip is defined as a package holiday if:

• You book travel services that are either combined or simply with the help of a retailer, including a tour operator, online or physical travel agency, or through a single agreement.

Or

• You book travel services through separate agreements with several different providers, and at least one of the following conditions is met:
• • You buy the travel services from a single provider.
  • The travel services are sold at an inclusive price.
  • The travel services are either marketed or sold as a “package”.
  • The travel services are combined from a provider who gives you the right to choose from a selection of services.
  • You buy a “click-and-mix” package where you purchase travel services from separate providers but under the same online booking system.

Your consumer rights for package holidays depend on your booking

If there are changes to your package holiday, you should generally always complain directly to your tour operator, even if the changes are related to the airline. However, you can also complain directly to the airline.

If you experience a cancelled flight or a flight delay in relation to a package holiday, you are entitled to compensation as you, as a EU citizen, are covered by EU Regulation 261. The same rules apply as for a flight cancellation or flight delay, and you can receive compensation of up to 600 EUR depending on the flight distance.

Your consumer rights for package holidays

Consumer rights for package holidays are determined by EU Regulation 2015/2302. All rights concerning package holidays are described here.

Please notice, that Refundmore only assists with changes, cancellations, and delays related to flights, and not with hotels, other transport, and similar services.

Your rights in case of a flight delay during a package holiday

If you experience a flight delay as part of a package holiday, you are generally entitled to compensation ranging from 250 EUR to 600 EUR if you arrive at your destination 3 hours (or more) later than expected.

To be entitled to compensation for a delayed flight, the following conditions must be met:

• You checked in on time.
• Your flight delay occurred within the last 3 years.
• The airline itself is responsible for the flight delay.
• Your flight departed from within the EU (regardless of the airline) or landed within the EU (if it is a European airline).

Your rights regarding package holidays and cancelled flights

If you have booked a package holiday and experience a cancelled flight, you are generally also entitled to compensation of up to 600 EUR.

Your rights concerning consumer rights for package holidays and a cancelled flight:

• You are entitled to a refund of the entire ticket price in the event of a flight cancellation.
• If the cancelled flight is part of a journey with stopovers, you are entitled to a return ticket to the original destination of departure as soon as possible, or
• A new ticket to the final destination as soon as possible. If the airline cannot offer the first available departure, they must pay for the trip with another airline, or
• A new ticket with a later departure date of your choice, provided there are available seats on the flight.

Additionally, you may also be entitled to food and drinks, transportation, and accommodation, depending on the extent of the cancellation.

Do you need help getting your compensation or have questions about your consumer rights for package holidays regarding your flights? You can claim your compensation in 3 minutes with Refundmore or send us an email at service@refundmore.com.