Can I request a travel confirmation when I book a trip?
June 18, 2022 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Fred Kock
Dear Sir or Madam,
I recently booked a trip with a tour operator and I am wondering if I am entitled to a written confirmation of the trip. So far, I have only received verbal confirmation that my booking has been received. As I have had negative experiences with tour operators in the past, I am concerned that there may be discrepancies or misunderstandings if I do not have a written confirmation of my trip.
I have already tried to contact the tour operator and requested a written confirmation of my booking, but I was informed that this is not necessary and that I only have my booking number as proof. However, I still feel uncertain and would like to have a written confirmation of my trip in case of any discrepancies or problems to have a legal basis.
Can you please let me know if as a customer I have the right to request a written confirmation of the trip? If so, what legal steps can I take to obtain this? Are there any laws or regulations that may be helpful in this matter?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Yours sincerely,
Ammelie Klinger
Dear Mrs. Klinger,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the written confirmation of a trip after booking with a travel agency. It is understandable that you want to make sure you have all the necessary documents to be secure in case of any problems.
In principle, customers have the right to request a written confirmation of the trip. This is stated in § 651a of the German Civil Code (BGB), which regulates the obligations of the travel agency to provide information. The travel agency is therefore obliged to issue a trip confirmation to the customer, listing the essential components of the trip such as the price, dates, services, and other important information.
If the travel agency refuses to provide you with a written confirmation even though you have requested it, you can certainly take legal action. First, you should formally request the travel agency to send you the confirmation within a reasonable period of time in writing. Set a specific deadline, for example two weeks. If the travel agency fails to provide the confirmation even after this deadline, you can contact consumer protection agencies or a travel lawyer like myself.
Furthermore, you can refer to the aforementioned § 651a BGB and threaten the travel agency with legal consequences if they do not fulfill their information obligations. In particularly persistent cases, you can also challenge the contract or claim damages.
In any case, it is advisable to keep all communication with the travel agency in writing to have evidence in case of a dispute. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Fred Kock
Travel Lawyer
