Consumers Know Your Rights: EU Package Travel Regulations Act

The Package Travel Regulations Act 1992 is the most comprehensive regulation in Europe that protects consumers from unsatisfactory and unfair holiday package deals and covers disputes in transport, accommodation and tourist services. Unfortunately, many holiday goers are unaware of their rights as a consumer and what steps to take when their holiday is not what was promised to them by their travel agency. This article is a brief Package Travel Regulations Act summary that outlines how to identify the responsible parties involved in a travel package contract, what counts as an infringement of a contract, how to claim compensation for an unsatisfactory holiday and lastly, tips for avoiding a potential dispute.

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Package Travel Regulations Act Guidance

For many people, a real break from the daily stresses of everyday life requires a complete getaway from the local scenery. This way, everything can be physically left behind and individuals can look forward to a dream holiday. Unfortunately, all too often and too quickly a dream holiday can turn into a nightmare. Sometimes an unfortunate turn of event is unavoidable, but with proper knowledge of the Package Travel Regulations Act definition a certain number of precautions can be made. In short, it is in a traveller’s best interest to be aware of the law that protects them from discrepancies of purchases made from travel agents. The Package Travel Regulations Act protects consumers by allowing them to claim compensation for any part of the holiday that differs to what was agreed upon on in the contract, thus keeping travel agents in check.

Precautions

Consumers need to be responsible for reading and understanding the entire contract before signing and making a deposit. A travel insurance policy should be purchased before departure to ensure that a customer is compensated for a cancelled holiday in case of illness or injury. These insurance policies also cover for lost and stolen items, luggage and money as well as transport delays that are outside the jurisdiction of the Package Travel Regulations Act.

The Duties of a Travel Agency

If an essential part of a holiday is changed before the departure date, according to the EU Package Travel Regulations Consumer Act protection, the travel agent is duty bound to inform the consumer. If the change is found to be unacceptable to the consumer, they can choose to cancel (and be fully reimbursed) or change their holiday package. If changes or discrepancies only become apparent while the consumer is on holiday, consumers legally have the right to claim for compensation from the travel agent. Consumers can also claim for a refund of any extra expense incurred because of the change, thus as a consumer it is important to keep all slips and receipts to prove the extra expense. Financial compensation can also be received for any moral or stress related damage caused by a discrepancy, as outlined in the Package Travel Regulations Consumer Act.

Package Travel Regulations Consumer Act Exceptions

According to the Package Travel Regulations Act, consumers may not claim compensation for any changes made to a holiday package that are out of the control of the travel agency, such as alternative arrangements caused by bad weather, natural disasters, strikes or transport breakdowns.

Please note that this article is for informational use only. In the event of a claim professional legal advice and expert Package Travel Regulations Act consultation should be sought.

Penny Munroe is an avid writer in travel related news and topics. Articles range from comprehensive hotel reviews of the Westin Dragonara in Malta, to selecting the best insurance for your holiday.

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Category: Travel Tips