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BREXIT – EXTRA CHARGES FOR HOLIDAYS ABROAD
Holidaymakers could be hit with a nasty surprise bill of hundreds of pounds if the value of sterling drops. This is because package holiday firms are allowed to add 8 per cent on top of the original price when their costs increase – even on getaways that you’ve already paid for. The rule means that someone who forked out £3,500 for a holiday could end up paying £280 extra. Travel companies can add the charges until 20 days before departure if their costs have risen due to fluctuating exchange rates, higher fuel costs or tax changes. The little-known charges are nothing new, but experts fear they may increase due to a fluctuating pound as the UK prepares to leave the EU. The value of the pound has fallen after the referendum three years ago – from roughly €1.40 in December 2015 to €1.09 at the time of writing. Consumers who don’t want to pay surcharges will still face the usual cancellation charges if they decide to cancel their booking. If a firm charges more than this extra amount, you have the right to cancel penalty free and get a full refund. After the EU referendum, Mark Warner Holidays slapped holidaymakers with a surcharge of up to £50 after the pound dropped against the dollar and euro. Its terms and conditions for summer trips this year state: “Price increases after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge.” Tour operators such as Gower Tours, Jet2 Holidays, Lastminute, Loveholidays and Wasteland Ski also reserve the right to change the price of your holiday after you’ve booked and paid it, as stated in their terms and conditions. In contrast, Thomas Cook offers a “Brexit price guarantee” not to hike prices “no matter what happens”.
