Vacation ruined? New online tool helps with compensation claims!

Vacation ruined? New online tool helps with compensation claims!

In the wake of the past summer holidays and the upcoming autumn holidays, many travelers are faced with the challenge that, despite careful planning, not everything goes smoothly. Problems such as postponed flights, closed pools or inadequate food are common annoyances. To help holidaymakers in such situations, the consumer advice centers have expanded an online tool for package travel compensation. A key goal is for travelers to be able to check their claims quickly and easily.

The highly effective Online tool allows the examination of compensation claims for various problems. These include, for example, closed pools, canceled excursions and poor food. Users can also use the interactive package travel check after returning from their trip. On the website verbraucherzentrale.de/pauschalreisecheck you can enter the relevant information about your trip and the problems that occurred.

Rights of travelers and documentation of defects

After entering the required information, the tool shows whether there is a right to compensation and allows you to download sample letters that can be sent to the tour operator. Julia Rehberg from the Hamburg Consumer Center emphasizes that many travelers are often unsure whether a complaint is worth it or are afraid of the effort. It is clear that travelers on package tours can even claim money back up to two years after the end of the trip in the event of travel defects.

Consumer advice centers recommend reporting any travel defects to the tour operator on site and documenting them carefully. Photos or witness statements can be helpful to prove the defects. They advise those affected to immediately inform the tour operator about services not provided and to insist that these be stopped.

Support from consumer advice centers

The consumer advice centers work independently of providers and have been offering competent advice on consumer issues for over 60 years. Travelers can benefit from the support of this organization, which offers face-to-face, telephone or video consultation. The online tool is part of the “Economic Consumer Protection” project and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. The package travel check is available at www.vzhh.de/pauschalreise-check and offers valuable information on enforcing claims in the travel industry.