Package holidays: Your rights in the event of cancellations and flight changes!

Package holidays: Your rights in the event of cancellations and flight changes!

Many people choose package holidays to plan their vacation. But changes after booking often raise questions about the rights of travelers. Flight time changes or hotel changes can lead to holidaymakers being unsure about what claims they can make. Current regulations clarify the situation and provide an overview of consumer rights.

An important issue is price increases: These are only permitted if they are contractually agreed and may amount to a maximum of 8% of the travel price. If the price increase exceeds this amount, the consumer has the right to cancel free of charge. However, price increases must be announced at least 20 days before the start of the trip. Airport changes, especially those that make the trip unreasonable, do not have to be accepted.

Flight and hotel changes

In the case of flight times, changes may only be made if the change is not considered significant - i.e. at least four hours. In the event of significant changes, travelers have the right to withdraw from the contract and demand a refund of the travel price. When changing hotels, the situation is comparatively milder: a change is reasonable if the new hotel offers comparable standards and is located nearby. Major discrepancies between the booked hotel and the replacement hotel entitle the traveler to assert warranty rights.

Travel defects such as services not provided must also be reported immediately in order to enforce warranty claims. This also includes construction noise, which can be recognized as a travel deficiency. Consumers have the right to cancel at any time before the start of the trip, but should expect appropriate compensation.

Legal situation regarding cancellations

Free cancellation is possible if there are price increases of over 8% or exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters. The organizer can also cancel under certain conditions, for example if the minimum number of participants is not reached. The legally regulated deadlines for cancellations vary depending on the duration of the trip and are 20 days, 7 days or 48 hours before the start of the trip.

Providers are obliged to provide the travel services as agreed and changes are only permitted within reasonable limits. In cases of conflict, affected travelers can contact the organizer, the tour guide or arbitration boards for support.

In addition, the insolvency of FTI, Europe's third largest package tour provider, is causing waves. This company filed for bankruptcy on June 3, 2024, which is unsettling for many vacationers. Affected travelers can find information in German and English on the company's website, as well as contact details for personal inquiries, which are currently in high demand. The German Travel Insurance Fund strives to ensure that holidaymakers can end their trips abroad as planned. The Federal Foreign Office also provides important information on the current situation.

Consumers who have difficulty enforcing their claim can contact the consumer advice centers in Germany. People from other EU countries can also get free help from the European Consumer Center (ECC). The legal framework and offers of help are important in order to provide orientation in the complex world of package holidays.

For more information on how to protect your rights as a traveler, see MDR and EVZ.