Brittany ferries voucher information

[goldwinger]

I have just received the following from Brittany Ferries,
Just a few weeks ago it was unimaginable that the global travel industry could grind to a halt. We prepare ourselves to cope with many types of events that can disrupt international travel, yet no one could have expected the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in. As I write to you, we have but a handful of freight-only sailings operating to keep essential goods flowing.

In recent days, we've received a wealth of thanks and understanding which we simply have to acknowledge. It all makes a huge difference to our teams, working tirelessly to help out everyone affected by this situation.

At the same time, we are aware that many have had their travel plans disrupted, and we are working hard to finalise credit note refunds for the full value of any unused sailings. In these uncertain times we know it can be difficult to contemplate making travel arrangements given the current context, so with that in mind, these travel vouchers will now all be valid for a period of two years. This is the case even if you have received a voucher showing a validity of one year.

Furthermore, in light of the disruption you have experienced we would also like to offer you a saving on future travel when used in combination with the travel voucher(s). A discount of 20% will apply to sailings to France and 15% on travel to Spain when using the exclusive booking link below. And, as we understand you may wish to wait before making new arrangements, we're holding this open . This will enable you to take advantage of these savings on travel either later this year or into 2021*.

FIND OUT MORE

Kind regards

Joelle Croc
Sales and Customer Experience Director

 

[billym]

I got this reply when I asked for my money back today..........



Thank you for your message; 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.





Gareth Bewley

Customer Services Manager

 

[DBK]

I thought the BF offer was very reasonable. The voucher will last until 2022 but if you want to make a booking now the discount is significant. Of course there is a risk they may not be running on the dates you choose but providing you select a flexible ticket (anything else would be very risky) you can amend the date online for free. If you do make a booking they will take a deposit which is probably what they are really after, keeping up the cashflow. Would Macron let BF go bust? He has said no but...
It's a bit like shares at the moment, they may be bargains out there if you want to spend.

 

[Theonlysue]

The only problem with receiving vouchers, especially from airlines, is if they disappear the voucher will be worth nothing.

 

[Scotch mist]

I would have loved to have seen a letter like that from euro tunnel ?

a reasonable response considering the circumstances

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Emmit]

Grasping at straws here, but;

If the original booking was made using a credit card and was more than £100 couldn't you get your original booking money back under the credit card act should BF go under (so to speak)
And wouldn't the same also be true if one put £100 into any deposit.

I am aware that Nationwide, whose Insurance we use via their Bank account, have moved the goal posts with regard to bookings made post March 18th as a result of the current covid situation.

 

[Emmit]

[

I got this reply when I asked for my money back today..........



Thank you for your message; 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.





Gareth Bewley

Customer Services Manager

I am not for one minute encouraging you to reject Brittany Ferries offer of a Credit Voucher but may I draw to your attention the paragraph that is highlighted. If one reads the words in italics that are underlined, it states that legislation to amend the current law is being assessed.
I believe that right now you may reject the credit voucher and demand (strong word but not meant as such) your money back.

 

[billym]

Grasping at straws here, but;

If the original booking was made using a credit card and was more than £100 couldn't you get your original booking money back under the credit card act should BF go under (so to speak)
And wouldn't the same also be true if one put £100 into any deposit.

I am aware that Nationwide, whose Insurance we use via their Bank account, have moved the goal posts with regard to bookings made post March 18th as a result of the current covid situation.

[




I am not for one minute encouraging you to reject Brittany Ferries offer of a Credit Voucher but may I draw to your attention the paragraph that is highlighted. If one reads the words in italics that are underlined, it states that legislation to amend the current law is being assessed.
I believe that right now you may reject the credit voucher and demand (strong word but not meant as such) your money back.

Thanks for those replies.
I was aware that the email left things up in the air a bit.
I didn't pay on a credit card but as my next course of action was to contact Nationwide flex plus insurance so I would be interested to know what you know ( mine was booked 16th March)

Having said all that I am in two minds as to whether under the circumstances it is the decent thing to do in making a fuss over getting my money back(£230)

 

[Gaston aires]

Dominic Raabs LBC Sky news broadcast today, “cancel all foreign travel indefinitely“ will not help any of these travel companies, in fact it could well kill a few off.
Phil

 

[Emmit]

Thanks for those replies.
I was aware that the email left things up in the air a bit.
I didn't pay on a credit card but as my next course of action was to contact Nationwide flex plus insurance so I would be interested to know what you know ( mine was booked 16th March)

Having said all that I am in two minds as to whether under the circumstances it is the decent thing to do in making a fuss over getting my money back(£230)

Just been online to Nationwide for you and this is on their website.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel insurance
If you opened a new FlexPlus account or booked a trip after 18 March 2020, you will not be covered for Coronavirus related travel claims. This is because it is a known and anticipated risk.
If your trip was booked before 18 March 2020, you may be covered if you held a FlexPlus or FlexAccount.


AND;


For trips booked before 18 March
If you booked a trip before the 18 March, cover is available for coronavirus related claims for trips in the UK or abroad. This is because you could not have known of the risks when you booked.
Please see the frequently asked questions below for details on the cover provided.

This. of course isn't all it says but you can go online and read all about it.

Regards

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[billym]

Just been online to Nationwide for you and this is on their website.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel insurance
If you opened a new FlexPlus account or booked a trip after 18 March 2020, you will not be covered for Coronavirus related travel claims. This is because it is a known and anticipated risk.
If your trip was booked before 18 March 2020, you may be covered if you held a FlexPlus or FlexAccount.


AND;


For trips booked before 18 March
If you booked a trip before the 18 March, cover is available for coronavirus related claims for trips in the UK or abroad. This is because you could not have known of the risks when you booked.
Please see the frequently asked questions below for details on the cover provided.

This. of course isn't all it says but you can go online and read all about it.

Regards

Thanks!
It never occurred to me when I read your post that the info was on their website.

 

[Emmit]

Thanks!
It never occurred to me when I read your post that the info was on their website.

I wouldn't have known but I went onto the site last week and happened to see a banner on the front page and the date stuck.
As we haven't got anything booked I gave it no thought, until tonight.
Glad to be of help.

 

[Euromobil]

I would have loved to have seen a letter like that from euro tunnel ?

a reasonable response considering the circumstances

me too, I am struggling to get 4 crossings moved more than three months, they still insist they are running a service, despite the French not allowing travel.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

I had the a very similar email from BF. Part of it was personalised but the section regarding business model is a cut and paste from a CS template.

My booking is not until the end of July but I cannot realistically see international travel being up and running for a good while yet as Japan and Singapore have seen, relaxing even the local restrictions early, the infection rate starts to rise again.

I have the concern that at the end of May, I need to pay the remaining £1300 of the ferry cost and I need to be sure travel insurance companies will cover the whole cost if it is cancelled even though I paid the remaining deposit after the cut off days specified. I also paid for everything on Credit cards for extra piece of mind.

Nationwide Travel Insurance FAQ's say that if you are offered a voucher, you cannot claim.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Tour Operator has offered me a travel voucher or credit to re-book my holiday for a later date. If I decline this, will I be able to claim on travel Insurance?- select this to hide related content
Unfortunately, no. We cannot provide cover for your trip if you decline your travel provider’s offer of vouchers or credit. Ask your travel provider or tour operator to explain all your options before you accept any vouchers or credit notes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I replied to BF as the ABTA guidelines imply that if you do not use the voucher by 31st July, you will be entitled to a cash refund.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. If you are not able to amend your holiday to another date, your travel provider may offer you a Refund Credit Note instead of an immediate cash refund. This Refund Credit Note can be used to book another holiday at a later date and, in the meantime, it is protected by ABTA/ ATOL if your original booking had that protection, so you would be reimbursed if the travel company failed financially.

Further details on this option are below:

• This protection will last initially until 31 July 2020, at which point, if you have not used the Refund Credit Note to book another holiday, you will be entitled to a cash refund.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My last request the BF (no reply but understandable as its only a few days). If they offered a voucher would they give a guarantee that I could book the exact trip (ship/cabin and dates) the following year or give voucher holders a priority booking time next year so we don't have to go through the bun fight when they release the summer sailing schedule.
No doubt the "voucher" will not be worth as much in real terms next year due to inflation and I would imagine a price hike to cover some of the loses they may make during this time, especially if its extended beyond the summer. Plus the monopoly that BF have on this route means there is very little option if you still wish to travel via Ferry to Spain.