The trip has been booked for a long time – and then the tour operator runs into payment difficulties. This is what customers of Germany’s third-largest travel company, FTI, are experiencing right now. According to the company, trips that have not yet started will probably no longer be possible or only partially possible from Tuesday. For customers of the company, an information page The German Press Agency (dpa) has compiled a list of what generally applies in such cases.
What is there to know and what to do?
The good news for everyone who has already paid travel money, as well as everyone who is already on vacation and is worried about the rest of their stay and return journey: “Like every German tour operator, FTI is obliged to only accept payments towards the travel price if the traveler is given a security certificate at the same time,” says travel lawyer Paul Degott to the dpa. The security certificate ensures that the traveler will be reimbursed for the travel price paid in the event of the tour operator’s insolvency.
This is the case when travel services are cancelled or when you receive payment requests from partners of the travel company. For example, if a local hotel no longer receives payments from the tour operator. As a rule, the package tour contract also includes the transport of the travellers. In this case, the tour operator must also arrange the agreed return transport and accommodation.
Do I have the security certificate in my documents?
Paul Degott therefore advises that you first check whether you received a security certificate with your travel confirmation. This should describe the travel price insurance in the event of insolvency and name the insurance company with its address and contact details.
This is usually the German Travel Price Protection Fund (DRSF). Under certain circumstances, one of the insolvency insurance companies may also be named. With this insurance certificate in hand, the consumer can be sure that they will get their payments on the travel price back if the provider and, if applicable, its travel subsidiaries file for bankruptcy or declare insolvency at short notice, making the booked trip impossible.
“Consumers who are already on an FTI holiday abroad – surprised by FTI’s insolvency – may have the problem that the hotelier demands additional payment for the remaining holiday time because he is no longer receiving any money from FTI,” says Degott. The airline could also refuse return transport for the same reason.
The next step here would be to contact the insolvency insurance company. “This company should be asked to ensure further accommodation and return transport and either advance the corresponding costs or declare that these will be reimbursed to the consumer immediately,” explains the lawyer.