Brittany Ferries

[carolyn]

I have received vouchers from Qatari airlines, I want a refund. Legally that’s what I am entitled to and it’s what I requested. I wouldn’t mind the vouchers if they were transferable but as I pointed out to them , in the current climate I might not survive , nor Nick and even if one of us survived the amount isn’t even transferable to the surviving spouse let alone to the children. I will keep fighting it. I’d be quite happy if the vouchers were transferable in the event of our deaths as the boys could use them for a holiday. Claire has a generous travel package!

 

[M J]

Is your point of contact not the Credit Card companies ?

 

[Bustup15]

Isn’t this why we gave travel insurance? Claim off them, let them take it up with the provider if whichever service, remove the stress from you

Insurance - don't get me started on that one.

This email arrived unprompted form my travel insurance provider - extract below

The FCO have advised against travel. Can I cancel my trip?



Unfortunately, your policy does not cover cancellation due to changes in FCO advice. We would advise that you speak to your airline, hotel or tour operator to discuss either a refund for any monies paid, or alternative trip dates and options.



For up-to-date advice from the FCO, on your destination or Coronavirus procedures please click here. The Civil Aviation Authority has also put together advice on your rights here.



My travel company have cancelled my trip:


If your travel company or airline has cancelled your booking due to the coronavirus outbreak, it is their responsibility to offer you either alternative options or a refund.

 

[Spriddler]

My travel company have cancelled my trip:

If your travel company or airline has cancelled your booking due to the coronavirus outbreak, it is their responsibility to offer you either alternative options or a refund.

I think that's the nub of it. I've read posts on here where the ferry company and tunnel have refused refunds as the 'services are still running'. They seem to ignore the fact that you wouldn't be allowed to disembark at the other end.

 

[bellabee]

Saw this article in the FT

Subscribe to read

www.ft.com

If ferry companies have to drop routes, it'll be a bad day for all of us, once the current crisis is over.

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[The general]

On a similar note I have a tail of emails with STA travel re flights to USA for 4 male travellers (golf holiday)

My last email said bluntly - pay me my money or I will refer to CC company and dispute te charges and/or go to small claims court

They replied this morning

Hi,

Thanks for your email and I am sorry that you remain unhappy with the policy.

In order to escalate this matter further I would recommend contacting our STA Travel Cares team, they are a dedicated complaints department who will be happy to review your case.

You can contact them using the following link -

https://forms-customercare.statravel.com/?division=uk#/customer_care

A friend of mine has had a bad experience with this company

 

[gus-lopez]

To quote The Independent,"To be suspended"
That's in the future. The present rule is clear and unambiguous. The OP asked for his money. He should get his money.
The old sign"Free beer tomorrow" springs to mind. Its not today. Its tomorrow. .

But they are French.The EU rules have changed to vouchers first.

If too many insist upon a refund there won't be a BF service with whom others can redeem their vouchers.

True

I think that's the nub of it. I've read posts on here where the ferry company and tunnel have refused refunds as the 'services are still running'. They seem to ignore the fact that you wouldn't be allowed to disembark at the other end.

& although it isn't fair ,technically they are correct. Both are still running , yes you could get on .the fact that they won't let you off the other end isn 't the ferries/tunnels problem.

 

[bellabee]

Sorry, just realised you may not be able to see it because it is behind pay wall. In summary, the title of the article is 'Ferry operators warn routes might have to close. UK Government support needed to ensure supply of food and medicine'
In summary, coronavirus has blown a hole in their business model of operating large ferries carrying both freight and passengers, leading to operators looking for government help, in order to keep routes open. Brittany Ferries is said to be 'tapping Paris for loan guarantees, but is also seeking some help from the British Authorities.
BF claimed it was not not seeking a bailout from the UK but 'just a little assistance while we bring in essentials during the immediacy of the crisis. We need to break even, to keep lines open that we would otherwise have to make a commercial decision to close.'

Grim times, all round.
It could well be that the number of routes operated by the ferry companies, is reduced, by the time we come out of the crisis.
Not good for anybody.

 

[Spriddler]

It could well be that the number of routes operated by the ferry companies, is reduced, by the time we come out of the crisis.
Not good for anybody.

And especially after B****t when we'll still need the ferries to transport trucks.

 

[Wildbill]

We own motor homes worth thousands folks are ding in there hundred's and worrying abut a few hundred pounds if every one wanted there money back the won't be any ferry company's left and not every one will get there money back.
Unprecedented times.
bill

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[hayabusabart]

Can anyone advise what I should do?
I booked a 28th Aug 2020 crossing with BF in December and paid 50% of cost with the balance to be paid 29.06.20. I don't want to cancel it (miracles might happen and they could be up and running by then) I suppose I should carry on and pay the balance regardless. Think I have answered my own question but what if we decide not to travel and cancel anyway after June? (missis is nervous about travelling abroad now) will I get a refund or a voucher or lose the lot? emailed BF but no response yet..

Cost summary
Total cost £1126.00
Paid by card/cheque/cash £563.00
Your card will be debited on 29/06/2020 £563.00

 

[Emmit]

hayabusabart

You have a contract with BF.
If you cancel the contract, they have the right to keep the money.
If you do not pay the remainder of the money on or before 29/6
then you are in default of your contract and they can keep your money.

If, subsequently, BF cancel your ferry (or alter it in a major way) then at the moment,
you have the right to retrieve all the money you have paid them.

NB BF at the moment are sending clients falling into that bottom group
with a Voucher to be used at a future date. As it stands at the moment,
(and I am prepared to be corrected on this ) you do not have to accept
the voucher and can demand, and insist that they repay you in money.

It may be that they will wriggle like a wriggly thing to avoid paying you
in cash but the rules are clear.

If you paid the deposit by Credit Card and the voyage is subsequently cancelled by BF
then you are covered by Consumer Law. Even if you pay the remainder of the fare
in coconuts, widgets or paper clips, the fact that you paid more than £100 (and less than £30000)
to BF for the service means that the whole of the money you paid to them is covered.

Now sitting here, baht 'at (tin or otherwise), waiting for Incoming.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

Good Morning Mr Dornan,


Thank you for your email.


I'm sorry you're disappointed with the voucher.


These are unprecedented times and undoubtedly everyone is working hard to negotiate the many challenges the world faces in the coming weeks and months.


For our part, we employ 3,000 people, operate in a very seasonal market and trade in two of the industries most severely impacted by the global outbreak
leisure and travel.


The pandemic's impact on our business, people and customers is without parallel. We have to act now to secure our long-term future and the welfare of our teams, their families and the communities we serve. Clearly we also want to take you on holiday in the future, when the current crisis passes and normality returns.


We're confident we'll be able to do that, but need to adopt some considerable, exceptional changes to our business model in order to do so. Your refund voucher is one of those changes, acknowledged as necessary at this time by ABTA and other organisations. Emergency legislation permitting the same and encouraging customers to accept credit notes to try and lessen the considerable strain on all operators (and protect the vital services some of us provide), is being assessed.


We're working hard to navigate a viable, reasonable course through this economic storm that enables us to provide some form of refund, as much customer retention as possible and a safeguard to our customers, employees and communities of a brighter future when this cloud passes.


I'm sorry for the further disappointment this email will bring
This is the reply I received after I asked for My money back after they cancelled my 21 April sailing.
Just a wee bit p—sed off!!☹

Does your voucher contain anything relating to a refund if the voucher is unused and if so, you can claim the refund at any time during the two year period?

Admittedly, it is in the Sun.

Link here:

Brits to be given vouchers instead of refunds for cancelled packaged holidays

HOLIDAYMAKERS are being asked to take vouchers instead of refunds for their cancelled trips in a bid to protect the travel industry. A number of travellers claim they have already been refused thei…

www.thesun.co.uk

It would seem the voucher should be redeemable for a refund if unused and is protected if BF goes bust.

I still think if you do not believe that you will use the voucher in the future, then you should (and must) claim a refund even if it means going through the CC company.

The updated PDT "guidance" contains the statement:

""Having regard to the strains on liquidity of tour operators because of missing new bookings coupled with reimbursement claims, travellers should consider accepting that their package tour is postponed to a later point in time. Having regard to the current uncertainty to make travel plans, that could be done by means of a credit note (so-called “voucher”). However, the traveller should have the possibility to ask for a full refund if, eventually, he or she does not make use of the voucher. Moreover, it should be ensured that the voucher is covered by appropriate insolvency protection. ""

I have no idea if, in the event of the voucher holder passing away, the voucher would become part of their estate and therefore pass to their beneficiaries.

The guidance update can be found here:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/coronavirus_info_ptd_19.3.2020.pdf

Worth noting that this is guidance and IS NOT EU law whatever people think it might be. Foot note (1) clearly states this:

""This document is not legally binding and provides only guidance. It has not been formally adopted or endorsed by the European Commission and cannot be regarded as an official position of the European Commission. It only reflects the views of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. The authoritative interpretation of Union law remains within the sole remit of the Court of Justice of the European Union ""

For an EU directive to be changes requires the ratification of all 27 member states and can take months if not years.

A further note should be this PTD appears to be outside of the scope of supply for BF as the PTD clearly covers Package Holidays, not single service trips

""If you have booked a package tour (i.e. a combination of at least two travel services, e.g. transport and accommodation) and you have not yet left for your trip, consult the travel advice of your national authorities and contact your tour operator or travel agency""

This is clearly stated in Article 3 of the directive:

(2)	‘package’ means a combination of at least two different types of travel services for the purpose of the same trip or holiday, if:

So just a ferry is not a package and appears not to fall under scope of the PTD.

 

[Mickthemove]

if you paid by card, and they have refused twice to give a refund, charge it back through your card issuer, they will initially refuse at which point you fill out the form on the Financial ombudsman website and hey presto, the card issuer will suddenly cough up....not anecdotal, i have gone this route twice

 

[Granjan]

hayabusabart we had a booking to travel to Santander early June, we got notice that BF were about to take payment of the balance due so we moved the booking on to September. I wonder if you could reconsider before your balance is due to go out and then if needs be amend the booking moving the date on a couple of months. We have a flex ticket booked so no amendment fee this time though the prices of crossings vary. We have amended bookings lots of times in the past.

I doubt we will go anywhere until we are sure we can safely do so.

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[hayabusabart]

hayabusabart

You have a contract with BF.
If you cancel the contract, they have the right to keep the money.
If you do not pay the remainder of the money on or before 29/6
then you are in default of your contract and they can keep your money.

If, subsequently, BF cancel your ferry (or alter it in a major way) then at the moment,
you have the right to retrieve all the money you have paid them.

NB BF at the moment are sending clients falling into that bottom group
with a Voucher to be used at a future date. As it stands at the moment,
(and I am prepared to be corrected on this ) you do not have to accept
the voucher and can demand, and insist that they repay you in money.

It may be that they will wriggle like a wriggly thing to avoid paying you
in cash but the rules are clear.

If you paid the deposit by Credit Card and the voyage is subsequently cancelled by BF
then you are covered by Consumer Law. Even if you pay the remainder of the fare
in coconuts, widgets or paper clips, the fact that you paid more than £100 (and less than £30000)
to BF for the service means that the whole of the money you paid to them is covered.

Now sitting here, baht 'at (tin or otherwise), waiting for Incoming.

thanks for that Emmit. I pay everything by debit card (cut up credit cards years ago after getting into a load of trouble with the things) thank you very much for your advice. I will pay the remaining balance when its due. If BF cancel the crossing its their call.. I don't mind a voucher for a future booking but the thing that really pisses me off is that I managed to secure a return Commodore class cabin for me and missis on the Pont Aven from Santander to Plymouth after many years trying in vain.. was really looking forward to enjoying the 8th deck! ah well.. such is life.

 

[hayabusabart]

hayabusabart we had a booking to travel to Santander early June, we got notice that BF were about to take payment of the balance due so we moved the booking on to September. I wonder if you could reconsider before your balance is due to go out and then if needs be amend the booking moving the date on a couple of months. We have a flex ticket booked so no amendment fee this time though the prices of crossings vary. We have amended bookings lots of times in the past.

I doubt we will go anywhere until we are sure we can safely do so.

Thanks. Its a good idea but if I move the booking on a couple of months it will be November. Campsites shut, cold etc.. thanks anyway

 

[Emmit]

thanks for that Emmit. I pay everything by debit card (cut up credit cards years ago after getting into a load of trouble with the things) thank you very much for your advice. I will pay the remaining balance when its due. If BF cancel the crossing its their call.. I don't mind a voucher for a future booking but the thing that really pisses me off is that I managed to secure a return Commodore class cabin for me and missis on the Pont Aven from Santander to Plymouth after many years trying in vain.. was really looking forward to enjoying the 8th deck! ah well.. such is life.

Morning.
I take on board what you have said re Credit Cards. I understand your thinking.
Debit Cards have a system named 'Charge Back.' I apologise, I don't know how it works but I understand it is similar to the Credit Card system, (perhaps a Funster with knowledge will be along to give an explanation)

 

[DBK]

Does your voucher contain anything relating to a refund if the voucher is unused and if so, you can claim the refund at any time during the two year period?

The voucher says "may not be converted into cash in any circumstances." It is also not transferable and must be spent by 14/04/2022 although the sailing date could be later than this. Which I understand means you could use it to pay for a ticket for a later sailing date. Hopefully I can spend it before then - 2021 would be nice.

 

[Ianj55]

Strikes me that some companies will refund and others are either unable or unwilling. Trying to get a refund from Minoan Lines for ferry crossing from Ancona Italy to Patras Greece on 27th April. At the present time only offering a voucher for 12 months from date of Travel.
Anek Lines the alternative carrier have made refunds, both Greek companies, so I worry about Minoan as to their viability for next year! Seems to me that all these companies are doing by giving vouchers is deferring the financial liability as next year where does the cash come from as they will be busy transporting customers for free without an income. I think it is called robbing Peter to pay Paul !
Keep pushing for the legal refund as next year it could be another carrier.

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[Emmit]

Strikes me that some companies will refund and others are either unable or unwilling. Trying to get a refund from Minoan Lines for ferry crossing from Ancona Italy to Patras Greece on 27th April. At the present time only offering a voucher for 12 months from date of Travel.
Anek Lines the alternative carrier have made refunds, both Greek companies, so I worry about Minoan as to their viability for next year! Seems to me that all these companies are doing by giving vouchers is deferring the financial liability as next year where does the cash come from as they will be busy transporting customers for free without an income. I think it is called robbing Peter to pay Paul !
Keep pushing for the legal refund as next year it could be another carrier.

Ianj55

What I said in Post 42 also applies to you.
It is an EU law that covers your reimbursement in cash.
Minoean is a Greek Company and as a double whammy for them, you are sailing from an EU port to an EU port so you are covered and they are stuffed (technical term)

 

[Spawn_e_git]

Ianj55

What I said in Post 42 also applies to you.
It is an EU law that covers your reimbursement in cash.
Minoean is a Greek Company and as a double whammy for them, you are sailing from an EU port to an EU port so you are covered and they are stuffed (technical term)

Agreed.

People that definitely want a refund should continuously state that they do not accept any voucher and push for a refund. A few small claims against the UK registered office in Plymouth will soon make them realise.

all this crap about them being a French company and therefore french law applies is a fudge. Before you can trade in a country, you must have an entity to resolve disputes and accept the rule of the land.

French Law is superseded by EU law and that law has not changed.

I work for a US company that has operations all over the world and they have to apply by the law in the country they operate, not hide behind Trump's ideology...

As DBK has clarified, they are not offering any cash value as per the guidance, so they are hoping people accept and then those that cannot use the vouchers or die make them a few quid to offset any losses they will be making during this time.

I feel comfortable with the information I put in my earlier post and that I have paid my deposit and will also pay any outstanding balance on the same card that I will be covered.

If there was the option to redeem the voucher for cash after a set time AND the option of priority booking for the same trip in 2021 instead of having to get in the bun fight for booking the better cabins when they release the summer schedule I would be more inclined to accept, but as they are being inflexible tossers, they will get no sympathy from me.

If they go to the wall, someone else will take over the ships/routes and we will carry on.

Same way if Ryan Air pulled out of the UK as they threatened during the Bexit referendum (remember that???), then Wizz Air or Easyjet would just take up the slack.

 

[bobandjanie]

We was fortunate not having booked with them, the only reason we tried to book was to go to a friends Birthday party in Cornwall and he has the code, but as we could not get a pet friendly cabin, we booked the cheapest P & O Calais, but have we had to have a voucher it would make us do a special trip for no particular reason, ? would have ended up visiting Just smiffy . ?

I don't mind a P&O Voucher because our trip will be to visit family in Norfolk, and they only own me €100. ? Bob.

 

[Bobandfay]

Latest update today from Brittany Ferries no passenger sailings now to 15 May freight only

 

[Spawn_e_git]

I might have got this wrong but I have been regularly checking the BF updates and for the first time, I notice that are starting you will get a REFUND CREDIT NOTE.

Before the wording has always been "Voucher" which is basically an I.O.U and was not redeemable and does not have any bankruptcy protection.

The RCN also give you the option of a guaranteed cash refund.

Now that they are offering RCN instead of a possibly worthless voucher. I will be less likely to demand a cash refund straight away.

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