Your must read travel round up ℹ️
Hi everyone,
Before we begin: this is a one-off special edition of the newsletter. I will be back on Friday with our usual edition.
The conflict in the Middle East is impacting millions of travellers right now, and understandably there is confusion around passenger rights, cancelled flights and how to get to or home from your destination.
So I wanted to send a quick, practical guide to help if the current situation is affecting you or someone you know’s trip.
While this is prompted by events in the Middle East, the information is useful for any future trip, because if your travel plans were ever disrupted, would you know exactly what to do?
Moments like this are a reminder of how fortunate we are to travel so often without issue, but they underline why it is so important to understand your rights, have a backup plan and make sure you are protected by the right travel insurance policy.
So, here’s what’s coming up today:
Your travel rights if your trip is affected by the Middle East conflict 📍
The simple way to get travel alerts from the UK Government 📧
Know your rights if your flight is cancelled ✈️
And how to choose the best travel insurance policy 🔍
Middle East conflict: Your rights for every situation
Your travel rights change so much based on how you booked and where you’re travelling from. Even if you’re not currently involved, this is a really useful one to be aware of for future trips.
How to get government travel alerts straight to your phone
Find out how to sign up to official travel alerts about the country you’re visiting next and why it’s worth doing for any upcoming holiday - even to somewhere you’ve been before.
What to do if you’ve got a holiday to an impacted area in the near future
I’ve received so many messages from people with trips booked to the Middle East, or connecting through airports in the region over the next few months.
My main advice right now is to wait.
In travel terms, even a week is a long time. Situations change quickly and official advice can shift just as fast. If you do not have flexibility with your flight, hotel or package holiday, cancelling before your travel provider offers options could mean losing your money.
If you are certain you no longer want to travel, here are the key things to check first:
Do you have a cancellation policy that allows a full refund?
Will your provider allow a fee-free change of dates or destination instead?
If you are offered a voucher or credit, how long is it valid for and what are the terms?
What does your travel insurance policy cover, including any disruption or abandonment clauses?
I do have to stress, particularly if you have booked a package holiday, that you may have stronger legal protections if you wait.
This is because when the Government advises against travel to a destination - as it has done for the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar - it can trigger legal protections.
However, companies will not usually apply those protections to trips that are further in the future, because advice can change again just as quickly. That is why many providers are offering options to travellers departing soon, but are waiting for further updates before extending those options to later dates.
I know it’s a frustrating position to be in, but I hope this helps explain why it is happening and what you can do in the meantime.
Know your flight cancellation rights
Flight cancelled? Find out exactly what you’re entitled to if your flight is cancelled and the laws in place to protect you.
How to find the best travel insurance
The last few days have been a great reminder of how important a good travel insurance policy is. Make sure you get yours from the day you book your trip.
I hope that helps ❤️
I’ll be back with the usual-style newsletter later in the week, but please feel free to send this on to a mate or family member who this may help too.
Stay safe and sending you all the love if you are currently impacted - I hope it all gets sorted for you soon.
Chelsea x
