UK travel company Bales Worldwide which runs specialist Egyptian package holiday operator Ancient World Tours says it is following industry practice andis offering full refunds for a limited timeas the situation in Egypt changes.
The British Foreign & CommonwealthOffice (FCO) is advising to avoid any non-essential travel to Egypt as well as urging people to leave the country via commercial transport. Check the latest FCO advisory here.
British Airways is also offering refunds and exchanges:
“Even if your flight is operating, the following options are available to you if you are due to travel to or from Cairo and purchased your ticket on or before 28 January 2011. If you are due to travel on or before 3 February 2011, you can: 1)Change the date of travel to a later date up to 28 February 2011. 2)Cancel your booking and obtain a refund to the original form of payment. 3)Use the value of your ticket towards the purchase of a new ticket to any other destination. or 4)If you are due to travel in or out of Cairo you may choose to travel in or out of Sharm El Sheikh. See the latest BA details here.
On the site of STA Travel however, they are showing their policy that will not give any refunds for what they call “changes beyond our control”.
They further explain:”Compensation will not apply if a significant change is made for reasons beyond our control. These include: war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks, changes due to rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline…”
You might find that your tour operator has additional conditions regarding refunds.
Also,check your travel insurance or credit card coverage to see what might be protected. ABTA the travel association offers some steps for resolving complaints with its member tour operators.
More than 1.3 million people visited Egypt from the UK in 2009.Tourism in Egypt is reported to be 7.3 billion a year in 2009 and employing 12% of the population.