Is there a way to cancel a trip for free?
January 15, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Oliver Breitwieser
Dear lawyer specializing in travel law,
I am reaching out to you as I urgently need advice regarding a travel situation that is causing me a great deal of distress. My name is Theodor Blumberg and a few months ago, I booked a trip to Spain that I would now like to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.
The situation is as follows: Some time ago, I booked a trip to Barcelona with my family, scheduled for next month. Unfortunately, my professional situation has drastically changed recently and I now find myself in a position where I have lost my job. Due to financial reasons, it is no longer possible for me to go on the trip as planned.
Therefore, the current situation is that my family and I are faced with a trip that we cannot afford to take. I am very concerned about the costs that may arise from cancelling and I am wondering if there is a way to cancel the trip free of charge.
My question to you is: Is there a way to cancel the trip without incurring any additional costs? I sincerely hope that there is a legal basis that would allow me to cancel the trip free of charge due to my current financial situation. I would be very grateful for your help and support.
Kind regards,
Theodor Blumberg
Dear Mr. Blumberg,
Thank you for your inquiry and the trust you have placed in me. I am sorry to hear that you are in a difficult situation and have to cancel your trip to Barcelona due to financial difficulties. In such cases, it is important to inform yourself about the legal options and regulations in the field of travel law.
In general, when cancelling a booked trip, costs may incur depending on the timing of the cancellation and the cancellation conditions specified in the contract. In your case, where unforeseen circumstances such as loss of employment are present, this could be considered as an exceptional circumstance that might allow for a cost-free cancellation.
According to the European Package Travel Directive, consumers have the right to cancel a booked package trip free of charge if exceptional circumstances exist that significantly affect the trip. This includes, for example, natural disasters, political unrest, or loss of employment. It is important that you inform your tour operator immediately about the situation and explain the reasons for the cancellation.
In your case, I would recommend contacting the tour operator first and explaining the situation in detail. The operator may be lenient and offer you a free cancellation or at least the option to take the trip at a later date. If the operator refuses, you may consider seeking legal assistance to enforce your rights.
It is important to note that the exact legal regulations and options may vary depending on the individual case and contract. Therefore, it is advisable to seek advice from an experienced travel law attorney to assess your individual situation and find the best possible solution.
I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you success in resolving your travel matter. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Oliver Breitwieser, Attorney specializing in travel law
