Il Covid has returned to grow in the world, with a increase significant gods almost in Europe. In Italy infections have grown by 66% in the last week, reaching almost 9.000 cases. Part of this surge could be linked to the concert of Taylor Swift in Milan, the “swifties”, reported symptoms and positivity after the event. Similar situations had occurred in Paris after another concert by the pop star, sparking calls on social media for attendees to be swabbed.
Even if the current situation is less serious compared to the past and Covid is now considered as a influenza illness, the increase in infections can cause problems, especially for who has to cancel a trip at the last minute. In addition to the disappointment of the trip going up in smoke, many find themselves dealing with the difficulty obtaining a refund, since airlines, railways and shipping companies often do not refund the cost of the ticket. But you can always insure yourself.
Covid: can airline tickets be refunded?
In aviation sector, we are back to pre-pandemic rules, albeit with some exceptions which vary depending on the company. In any case, a positive swab is not sufficient to cancel a reservation without penalties. For example EasyJet consider Covid like any other disease, therefore reimbursement is possible only if provided for by the tariff. To request a refund with Italy Airways in case of illness, you must contact the company's Customer Center or the travel agency where the ticket was purchased. The request must be made before departure and must include medical documentation certifying the inability to travel. Ryanair, however, offers two options for those who need to cancel a flight. On the company's official website, it is possible to request a voucher of the same value as the ticket, to be used within 30 months from the date of issue. Alternatively, those who do not intend to book any further flights with Ryanair can request a refund after 12 months. If the voucher is not used within 30 months, the refund will still be guaranteed. Currently, Ryanair is one of the companies that offers greater guarantees to Covid-positive passengers.
Trains: how to obtain a refund for train tickets
The Trenitalia treat Covid like any other impediment. The refund depends on the type of ticket and must be requested before departure. For example, SuperEconomy tickets for Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, Intercity and Intercity Notte trains are not refundable unless you have selected the refund option at a cost of 2 euros. Tickets sold with promotional offers also cannot be refunded. Further details are available on the Trenitalia website. For basic tickets, a 20% withholding is applied, while for the SuperEconomy with refund option the withholding is 10%. Italo applies the conditions of the transport contract, which means that only refundable tickets can be returned, while non-refundable tickets are not subject to refund.
Ferry Refunds: Tirrenia vs Grimaldi
When it comes to refunds for ferry tickets, Tirrenia and Grimaldi have different but similar policies.
For Tirrenia, ordinary fare tickets can be refunded if the cancellation occurs before the booked departure and with the appropriate documentation. The criminal penalties. vary based on the time of cancellation: 10% up to 30 days before departure, 20% from 29 days to 48 hours before, and 50% from 48 hours to 4 hours before departure. If theXNUMX / XNUMX days occurs less than 4 hours before departure, no refund will be given. Furthermore, for tickets purchased on the same day of departure, the penalty is 100%. You can avoid penalties by purchasing uan insurance policy together with the ticket.
For Grimaldi, the criminal penalties. they also vary: 10% up to 30 days before departure, 30% from 29 to 7 days before, 50% from 6 to 2 days before and 100% if the cancellation occurs from the day before departure or due to no-show. The refund requests must be sent via email. Penalties also apply for on-board meals and other extra services, but are refundable only if cancellation occurs with sufficient notice. Tickets with a discount are refundable only if purchased at the standard rate. No refund is provided for missed boarding due to insufficient documentation. An insurance policy is available to cover cancellation penalties.
Hotel reservations: what to do in case of illness
for hotel reservations, refund options are quite limited. Previous requirements for swabs, quarantines and masks no longer apply, and a positive swab alone does not justify cancellation without penalty, especially if the notice is short.
However, there is a solution under the Civil Code called "supervening impossibility“. If a medical certificate proves that you cannot take advantage of the stay for severe symptoms of Covid, you can request a refund. However, if symptoms are mild, getting a refund is unlikely unless isolation is required to prevent the spread of the virus.
Covid positive: ensure you have suitable travel insurance
To avoid problems, purchase a travel insurance policy it's a wise choice. These policies offer coverage for cancellations, medical expenses, accidents and lost baggage. It's important to remember that, even with a policy, it is a medical certificate is required which certifies the impossibility of leaving. Without this document, neither the insurance nor the companies will offer reimbursement.
Knowing your rights and considering purchasing travel insurance can help prevent unpleasant financial losses.
