Can I claim compensation if my booked transfer does not take place?
September 23, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Sophia Breitwieser
Dear lawyer,
I recently booked a trip and unfortunately had problems with the booked transfer. I had booked a transfer from the airport to the hotel in advance, however, this transfer did not take place as agreed. Instead, I had to organize a taxi on site myself, which led to additional costs.
I am very upset about this situation, as I specifically booked the transfer in advance to arrive at my destination stress-free and without any problems. The failure of the booked transfer negatively affected my holiday experience and I feel cheated out of my money.
Can I claim compensation or a refund for the additional costs incurred due to the missing transfer in this case? Are there legal options to assert my rights as a consumer and protect myself against such shortcomings?
I would be very grateful if you could assist me in this matter and provide possible solutions to help me enforce my claims. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Norbert Ahlert
Dear Mr. Ahlert,
I understand your frustration regarding the situation with the booked transfer and can empathize with how frustrating it must be to suddenly have to arrange an alternative means of transportation on site. In such cases, it is important to know that consumers are legally protected and have certain rights to defend themselves against such grievances.
If a booked transfer does not take place as agreed and you incur additional costs as a result, you can usually demand compensation or a refund. The tour operator or airline from which you booked the transfer is obligated to provide the agreed upon services. If this does not happen, it constitutes a breach of contract and you are entitled to compensation.
To assert your rights as a consumer, I advise you to first document the incident in writing. Make a list of all incurred costs, such as the taxi ride from the airport to the hotel, and keep all relevant receipts and invoices. Then, contact the tour operator or airline from which you booked the transfer and explain the situation. Demand appropriate compensation for the incurred costs and the missed service.
If the tour operator or airline is not willing to pay you compensation, you may consider taking legal action. In such cases, I recommend contacting a specialized lawyer in travel law who can assist you with your case. A lawyer can help you enforce your claims and, if necessary, take legal action to obtain appropriate compensation.
I hope this information is helpful to you and that you can successfully assert your rights as a consumer. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Sophia Breitwieser
