Stranded Travellers: Know Your Rights
Travel Rights in Cancelled Flights due to Blackout in Spain and Portugal: What to Know
🔥 Let's cut to the chase, mate. With Spain and Portugal's power outage causing travel chaos, thousands of travellers have been left high and dry. Here's a rundown on your rights and potential compensation if your flight gets canned.
FLIGHT HAS BEEN CANCELLED, CAN I GET COMPENSATION?
tighten up, cheers, no worries if it's the airline's fault, you're entitled to some moolah. But, as it's the power outage, compensation from the airline might be a no-go.
" 'Cause the disruption's down to factors outside their control, passengers ain't gettin' any compensation directly from the operator," according to Ernesto Suarez, CEO of travel insurance guru Gigasure.
Don't lose hope, though: airlines are compelled to provide stranded passengers with some support—hotel rooms, grub, and maybe even some cash for alternative travel arrangements.
If your flight's delayed by two hours or more, the airline's gotta look after you, too, like offering refreshments once a certain amount of time has passed. If the delay drags on overnight, the airline's theoretically required to find and pay for accommodation, but they might whinge that it's a bother, so they'll likely ask you to book it yourself and claim the cost back later.
CAN I CLAIM ON TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Those with travel insurance might score some financial protection if their trip's delayed, cancelled, cut short, or they have to shell out for alternative accommodation or an extended stay due to the power outage.
"Sounds like some folks with travel insurance might have a safety net," says Suarez. "If they purchased extended travel disruption cover, they might be shielded for travel delays, trip cancellations, or cost increases."
If you've already taken off and can't get back 'cos of the power outage, quite a few insurance policies will carry on covering you 'til you can breathe again at no added cost, Suarez adds.
IF YOU'VE GONE THE EXTRA MILE
If you shelled out extra dough for additional travel and accommodation expenses because of the power outage, you can make an insurance claim.
"Keep a clear record of every extra expense you incurred due to the disruption," advises travel insurance expert Michelle Cooper from Saga Travel Insurance. "Save copies of receipts, communications, and any other documents that prove your expenditures and tuck 'em in your back pocket for when you're making an insurance claim."
EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION WOES
Some travellers felt sketched out in their accommodation with electronic door locks buggered and emergency lighting and safety systems on the blink during the blackout.
"If your hotel was a booby trapped death trap during the blackout, moving might've been the right call," says Cooper. "Just make sure you hang onto receipts and any evidence that shows why you had to leg it—like photos or written confirmation from the hotel. Keep all receipts for your new accommodation, too, for insurance claims."
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR TRAVEL PLANS
If you decide to ditch Spain and Portugal after the power outage cos of travel hassles, your existing insurance might not cover your arse.
"If the airline or tour operator cancels your travel or the government advises against visiting your destination, you can cancel your trip and make an insurance claim," explains Cooper.
But if you switch destinations or travel times significantly, you'll need to either upgrade your insurance or fork out for a new policy to ensure you're all squared away.
References:
- When does the airline have to pay compensation for flight cancellation?
- Here are your travel rights if your flight's cancelled
- What are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled?
- What to do if your flight is cancelled
- What you can claim if your flight is delayed, disrupted or cancelled
- Understanding your flight cancellation rights
- What should you do if your flight is delayed or cancelled?
- What are my rights if my flight is delayed, cancelled or disrupted?
- Traveller's rights when flights are delayed or cancelled
- What are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to bad weather?
- How can I claim for the inconvenience caused when my flight is delayed or cancelled?
- I've been left stranded, can I claim compensation from the airline?
- What to do if my flight is delayed or cancelled
- Even though the flight cancellation is due to external factors like a power outage, airlines are still expected to provide support to stranded passengers, such as hotel rooms, food, and cash for alternative travel arrangements.
- If a flight is delayed by two hours or more, the airline is required to offer refreshments and may be compelled to provide accommodation if the delay lasts overnight, although they might ask passengers to book it themselves and reimburse later.
- Travel insurance might offer financial protection for people affected by flight delays, cancellations, trip cut-shorts, or additional accommodation costs due to the power outage.
- If passengers incur extra costs due to the power outage, such as for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements, they can make an insurance claim by keeping a record of all receipts and related documents.
- During the power outage, some travellers experienced safety concerns with their accommodation due to malfunctioning electronic door locks and emergency lighting systems. In such cases, moving to a new accommodation might be necessary, and having receipts and evidence demonstrating the need for change could be useful for insurance claims.
- If travellers decide to alter their travel plans following the power outage, they should be aware that their existing insurance might not cover them unless the airline or tour operator cancels the travel or the government advises against visiting the destination.
