23addy46 Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 Hi All - Today received call from the club informing our Brittany Ferries cancellation, 2nd wk May to France (No surprise as been following the B.F. saga on the forum)... The carefully worded statement "that B.F. had issued a voucher to cover the crossing" - plus with great emphasis:- "AND IT IS VALID FOR 2 YEARS" - Oh Goody Goody, that's going to be a great help isn't it ? When the refund question was asked ? "No they are not offering refunds". What about the Club refunding via the ABTA rules ? - "No the voucher is the way it's being handled, it will be forwarded to you shortly" - So, with 25% deposit Dec. 2019 & full balance 3rd March 2020, the C.& MH Club must have quite a tidy sum of monies sloshing around that by now, would otherwise been paid to Brittany Ferries ? The question:- As we are unable to take a later crossing, therefore wish a monetary refund - as it was Credit Card funded, who do we chase first for the refund, our travel insurance (with inevitable increases later) the C&MH C, or the Credit Card ???? It's truly amazing that B.F. can so blatantly flout E.U. & G.B. finance rules re the cancellation of service, irrespective of CV19 problems... Dave Adams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesspark Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 It happened to us, we are B F club members and not only have they with held our money but also I have paid 12 months ferry club m,ship fee that I will no longer be using due to age and health.I am sure there are thousands like us fesspark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Dave Adams There have been a couple of recent forum discussions about Brittany Ferries cancellation policy and their issuing of travel vouchers rather than giving cash refunds. https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Brittany-ferries-rip-off-/54748/ https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Question-Brittany-Ferries/54870/ Advice from “Which” is here https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/04/coronavirus-outbreak-advice-for-travellers/ and includes a “What about ferries?” section (now slightly out-of-date regarding Brittany Ferries cessation of passenger services). There is more advice here https://www.ukecc.net/consumer-topics/travelrefunds.cfm but if Brittany Ferries is going to be intransigent about not providing cash refunds, probably your best bet to get your money back would be to approach your credit-card provider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weldted Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 I think we need to remember who gives good customer service when this is all over. Whilst it might be expensive to give customer refund it could well cost them dear in repeat business later. If you contract is with C&MC it is for them to provide the refund. They as the agents are unable to fulfil your booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 These two C&MC threads may interest Dave https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/sites-touring/overseas-sites-touring/refunds-on-crossings/?p=1 https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/whats-on/caravan-club-news/novel-coronavirus-advice/ There appears to be speculation that revisions to travel-related cancellation regulations will allow vouchers with a 2-year validity period to be issued by companies but, if the voucher is not redeemed within that period (or the company goes bust) a cash refund would still be possible. Regarding Brittany Ferries and/or the C&MC, it’s to be anticipated that, of the total Dave paid for his May crossing to France, the C&MC will have taken a smallish ‘management fee' and the remainder of Dave’s money will have gone into Brittany Ferries coffers. The chances of getting any cash refund from the C&MC are nil and, in the short term, that will similarly be true of Brittany Ferries. As seeking a cash refund from a credit-card provider seems like a realistic and potentially successful strategy, it would make sense for individuals to explore that ‘Bird in the hand...’ approach as soon as possible rather than delay in the hope that the travel industry (or Brittany Ferries or the C&MC) will become more benevolent and accommodating. Anyway, what is to be lost in seeking a credit-card refund? (Presumably, if a cash refund were obtained from a credit-card provider, Brittany Ferries would need to be informed so that its refund voucher could be cancelled.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojitoes Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Dave As a contributor to the Brittany Ferries Rip Off post I can update my response to the similar situation. The M&CC replied to my request for a cash / credit card refund stating that they were only acting as an agent on behalf of Brittany Ferries and they are bound by BF's voucher refund. They can still only communicate with BF by e mail and response times are very slow .I have not yet received any vouchers for my outward trip scheduled for 1st April nor my return 3rd May. I contacted my credit card company and was advised to make a claim on their insurance, which I did 10 days ago. My claim was acknowledged but I was advised that I would not hear anything for at least 14 days. I will update with their response when i receive it. Happy travelling in 2021 Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 We only ever book a Ferry crossing 2 days before we travel via the CCC and that is only ever one way and do the same from Calais when we are ready to return, the cost is always cheaper than online too, glad we do that now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster63 Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 We have a ferry booked through the CMHC with BF, but not until end of August. Long way ahead but I suspect there will still be a lot of restrictions in place so even if technically possible to travel to France not sure I'd want to. Have only paid the £65 deposit so far with the balance due mid June. The question is come June do I cough up the balance? If so if I then decline to travel will I lose all my money (assuming ferries are running). If the ferries aren't running or advice/instructions from either our government or the French is not to travel will i have to accept the voucher? Or do I not pay the balance and forfeit my deposit? If I did that would I be blacklisted for any future bookings? On the subject of cancellation I had booked a CL for May to attend a nephew's wedding. As soon as the lockdown was announced my nephew decided to postpone his wedding so I contacted the CL site to ask for a refund of the £40 (had to be paid at time of booking). The Cl owner declined to refund citing T@Cs saying he was still open. A week later the CMHC closed all sites, but the CL owner still refuses to offer a refund or rebook for another date when hopefully the wedding will take place. I contacted the CMHC to see if they had any policies in place for a code of practice for CL site, they don't. I have also booked a site in Edinburgh for August to coincide with the festival, again I had to pay up front, in this case £140. As the festival is cancelled we no longer want to go to Edinburgh. Have emailed the site asking for a refund or moving the booking next year. So far no reply. Makes one very wary of booking anything with no cancellation clauses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weldted Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Whilst I appreciate the position of CL’s they should remember those they penalise now are the customers they may well loose when this is all over. They may say they are still open but if you are not allowed to travel?? Also I thought all campsites without full timers had to close?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 rooster63 - 2020-04-30 10:56 AM We have a ferry booked through the CMHC with BF, but not until end of August. Long way ahead but I suspect there will still be a lot of restrictions in place so even if technically possible to travel to France not sure I'd want to. Have only paid the £65 deposit so far with the balance due mid June. The question is come June do I cough up the balance? If so if I then decline to travel will I lose all my money (assuming ferries are running). If the ferries aren't running or advice/instructions from either our government or the French is not to travel will i have to accept the voucher? Or do I not pay the balance and forfeit my deposit? If I did that would I be blacklisted for any future bookings? The C&MC’s overseas booking conditions can be found here: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/14003789/overseas-booking-conditions.pdf The C&MC calls a straightforward ferry-crossing booking a “Type A booking” and the relevant section in the booking conditions reads as follows Cancellation and changes by you 9. Type A bookings In respect to Type A Bookings, any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us in writing, by email, fax, post or by telephone and will take effect from the day we receive it. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your booking prior to travel. The provider may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the travel arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). In addition we may ask you to pay an administration fee of £20 per person for any amendments. You will be notified of the exact charges at the time of amendment or cancellation and it is recommended that you contact us prior to amendment or cancellation in order to confirm the charges applicable. Brittany Ferries cancellation charges/conditions are stated here https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/faqs/booking-information/what-are-your-cancellation-charges-and-conditions Assuming that BF’s passenger services have resumed by end-August (and it would be very pessimistic to think otherwise) and the crossing you’ve booked is available, if you’ve paid the balance in June and then decide to cancel, (as the C&MC warns) the closer to the crossing-date you cancel the larger the financial penalty is likely to be. I’m a mite doubtful that BF would resume passenger services if the UK and/or French governments were advising their nationals only to travel abroad for ‘essential’ purposes, but if BF is unable to provide your booked crossing in August their present ‘no alternative’ policy is to provide a travel voucher valid for 2 years. Pre-CovId-19 my wife booked a river cruise holiday in Germany in September. The balance is due in June and that’s when a decision will need to be made about paying the balance or not. There’s little point speculating at the moment about what to do in June - by then the tour operator and/or the cruise operator might have gone bust, or the cruise itself might have been cancelled, or one or both of us might have fallen prey to the virus. If you decide in June to cancel your August BF crossing and pay whatever it costs to do this, I can’t see why you should be ‘blacklisted’ for future bookings. Everybody is only too well aware that what’s happening is unprecedented and that businesses and individuals are being compelled to make decisions on scenarios that had never been imagined as realistic a year ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Guys, I was watching the Martin Lewis Money Show tonight and he said there is new guidance today from the Competitions and Markets Authority on refunds and vouchers. It is all detailed on the Gov.uk website here... https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies But basically if any travel or accommodation has been cancelled because of lockdown you are entitled to a FULL REFUND in CASH. Read the link and act accordingly! PS And if you booked through C&MC (or any other organisation) I believe your contract is with that organisation and NOT with the ferry, etc, operator, so go to whoever you paid your money to. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Covid-19-France-Brittany-Ferries-to-give-refunds-not-credit-notes of interest to some Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 Cash refunds being offered for cancelled Brittany Ferries crossings are mentioned in the most recent postings on the BFEnthusiasts forum https://bfenthusiasts.com/bfe/topic/13261-amendment-and-cancellation-policies/page/3/ with the ConnexionFrance article being cited as the source. BF’s overview webpage for coronavirus advice was last updated on 30 April with a planned next update on 4 May. https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/coronavirus COVID-19 FAQs are here and still refer to vouchers (Refund Credit Notes) with no mention of cash refunds. https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/coronavirus/faqs The link I provided on 28 April https://www.ukecc.net/consumer-topics/travelrefunds.cfm makes it clear that a traveller is entitled to a cash refund (not a voucher) if a ferry company cancels their crossing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Bry Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Keithl - 2020-04-30 9:17 PMGuys, I was watching the Martin Lewis Money Show tonight and he said there is new guidance today from the Competitions and Markets Authority on refunds and vouchers. It is all detailed on the Gov.uk website here...https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies. But basically if any travel or accommodation has been cancelled because of lockdown you are entitled to a FULL REFUND in CASH. Read the link and act accordingly! PS And if you booked through C&MC (or any other organisation) I believe your contract is with that organisation and NOT with the ferry, etc, operator, so go to whoever you paid your money to. Keith Your last section with regards contract with ferry company or C&MHC is interesting. We booked earlier in the year - prior to the lockdown - to go to Germany, sailing from Hull to Rotterdam via P&O ferries. After contacting C&MHC, they stated to me that my deposit would not be refundable, as my contract is with P&O, and as the ferries are still sailing on a daily basis, mainly for freight- technically I can still sail, as the contract is to get me to Rotterdam. As we didn't pre-book any campsites, as we prefer to use the stellplatz's, there is nothing the C&HMC can do. Think I'll give them another call once I've read your link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Brittany Ferries has cancelled all UK-to-France/Spain passenger services until 15 May 2020, but still operates limited freight-only services. (I’ve no idea what would happen if a motorhome owner attempted to book on to a freight-only crossing.) P&O seems to be continuing to offer passenger services on its ferry routes, suggesting that (as you were advised by the C&MC) if you chose to cancel your Hull-Rotterdam crossing, you’d forfeit your deposit. P&O Ferries has a “Coronavirus Update” FAQ section on its website. http://www.poferries.com/en/coronavirus and the 1st and 4th entries apply to bookings refunds/amendments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Bry Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Derek Uzzell - 2020-05-02 8:56 AM Brittany Ferries has cancelled all UK-to-France/Spain passenger services until 15 May 2020, but still operates limited freight-only services. (I’ve no idea what would happen if a motorhome owner attempted to book on to a freight-only crossing.) P&O seems to be continuing to offer passenger services on its ferry routes, suggesting that (as you were advised by the C&MC) if you chose to cancel your Hull-Rotterdam crossing, you’d forfeit your deposit. P&O Ferries has a “Coronavirus Update” FAQ section on its website. http://www.poferries.com/en/coronavirus and the 1st and 4th entries apply to bookings refunds/amendments. Many thanks for your post and explanation Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 The latest (4 May 2020) message from Brittany Ferries CEO can be read here https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/coronavirus/ceo-message This says Last week I confirmed the introduction of a limited offer of enhanced flexibility to those among you who feel unable to travel this summer. There are tight controls governing this procedure and these must be followed if you wish to take advantage of them. This limited offer has to be subject to extremely prudent financial measures. This has never been more important than now, a time when we, like many others have been subject to huge losses and face harsh trading conditions in the coming months. As a reminder of the limited offer, should you no longer wish to travel this summer as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, you can now amend sailings free of charge to later in the year (any fare increases will still apply), or cancel sailings and holidays and receive a Refund Credit Note for any lost deposit or balance. The credit note is valid for two years and can be used against any sailing or Brittany Ferries Holiday in the future. All claims for the same must follow the procedure detailed in our FAQs. Once again I must stress it is imperative the procedure for claiming this offer is followed and you can find out more about this on the FAQ page. Sadly we can’t honour any claims that fall outside of this procedure. Nothing to suggest that BF plans to give a cash refund as an alternative to a Refund Credit Note. (Evidently the ‘limited offer’ cannot be backdated.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 I notice that Brittany Ferries has extended the period during which all their passenger services will be cancelled. Previously this period was until 15 May 2020: now the end-date will be 1 June 2020. Details are here https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/coronavirus/faqs No mention is made of obtaining a cash refund instead of a Refund Credit Note, but this link (which I have not read in full) https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Brittany-Ferries-and-refunds-for-cancelled-trips suggests that BF may offer a cash refund alternative to the Refund Credit Note when email-contacting travellers whose sailings have been cancelled. (Apparently Brittany Ferries will proactively contact all affected passengers in DATE ORDER OF SAILING via e-mail in the next few days.) This discussion on the bfenthusiasts website commenced on 25 April 2020 https://bfenthusiasts.com/bfe/topic/13261-amendment-and-cancellation-policies/ and there are comments on the more-recent pages that are likely to interest motorcaravanners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
23addy46 Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Hello All ;- Today, received TXT message from Barclaycard further to my refund claim for the (above titled forum) Brittany Ferries cancellation etc. informing "We've credited your account with the payment amount(s)". "We'll let you know by post if we need further information". Two months after applying for it, looks like I've finally got my Brittany Ferries crossing money back ? Hope I am not the only one receiving refunds ? Dave Adams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Although Brittany Ferries’s policy was originally only to provide a Refund Credit Note (RCN) for a crossing that the company had cancelled, rather than a cash refund, this decision was later reversed. These earlier forum threads refer https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Brittany-Ferries-voucher/55285/#M649700 https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Brittany-Ferries-cash-refund-/55328/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesspark Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Do Barclays now claim your ferry money from B.F. back ? .now they have paid you,I presume the credit you had will now disappear fesspark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 If you pay with a credit card and a refund is due but refused, you can get the money back by making a Section 75 claim on the credit card company, which has “joint and several liability to make the refund. The credit card company will presumably have some leverage to exercise on BF but that’s not your concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster63 Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 I cancelled my booking for BF made through the CMHC in May 2020, due to go to France in August as it was nearly time to pay the balance and I thought there was too much uncertainty so didn’t want to risk losing a lot of money if ferries were sailing but any holiday would have too many restrictions. I was happy to accept a voucher as I assumed we would get away to France this August. As I’m not sure even I would want to go even if allowed I contacted the CMHC to ask for a refund rather than a voucher. I have now been told by the CMHC that BF will not offer a refund as when I cancelled in May the ferries were still scheduled to sail in August 2020. Annoyingly the voucher is only valid until May 2022 and must be used by then on, I had hoped I could book in April 2022 for travel in August 2022 but was told the voucher must be used by May and any crossings completed before the voucher expires. Trying to make sense of previous posts about this subject, particularly the Competitions Commission whether BF and CMHC are within their rights as it is true I did cancel when in theory the ferries were still sailing although ultimately they didn’t. It’s only £65 but annoying all the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Brittany Ferries (BF) cash refunds were discussed in June 2020 in this thread where you participated. https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Brittany-Ferries-cash-refund-/55328/ In your case the issue now seems to be exacerbated by you booking via the CHMC and then accepting a refund voucher. At present, as BF’s sailing schedules are in constant flux, some bookings are being cancelled and the people affected are being given the choice of amending their booking, accepting a refund voucher or requesting a cash refund. I’m now on my 5th iteration of a BF booking made in early-June 2020 and I’m pretty sure I’ll need to amend the booking again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster63 Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Have emailed BF to see if they will extend the 2 year time limit on voucher as unlikely to go to France by May 2022. Happy to use it to make a booking by May but for travel in late August as was originally booked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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