CAB - holiday advice for 2021

I am thinking about booking a family holiday for later in the year, but I am worried about what will happen if we go into another lockdown or further restrictions. What should I look out for?

1 Check the cancellation conditions. If you have to cancel your holiday because you’re self-isolating, you may not be entitled to a refund. If the cancellation is because the national lockdown is extended, you should get a refund.

2 If you are intending to go abroad, check the local entry requirements. You might need a negative test before you fly and may need to self-isolate on arrival. If the destination country imposes new restrictions after you book but the flight is still going, you may not be entitled to a refund if you no longer want to travel. 

3 Make sure you understand the entry requirements to the UK when you return. You might need a negative test before returning or to self-isolate or quarantine when you get back. The managed quarantine hotels in the UK are expensive, currently £1,750 for 10 nights (and you could be fined up to £10,000 if you don’t comply).

4 Pay by credit card if you can manage the repayments. If you put at least the deposit on a credit card, the full amount of the holiday costing more than £100 and up to £30,000 is protected by the Consumer Credit Act. If you don’t have a credit card, pay by debit card rather than by cash, cheque or bank transfer.

5 If your holiday is cancelled, you may be offered refund credit notes. Some credit notes are guaranteed and offer a refund, but all have time limits. Make sure the travel agent is protected by The Travel Association (ABTA). Make sure to use the credit notes or claim the refund before it expires. You don’t have to accept a refund credit note for cancelled package holidays which must be refunded in full by law within 14 days. If your flight is cancelled by the airline, you should be refunded within 7 days.