Many people have already gone on holiday during the summer holidays, while others have yet to set off. This year, in addition to package holidays on the Mediterranean, camping trips are also more than popular with Germans.
But the supposed dream trip can quickly turn into a nightmare. Especially in foreign countries, many tourists often find that the description of the hotel does not match reality. Can we at least rely on the money-back guarantee? If an expert from ARAG is to be believed, we are not even sure of that…
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Holiday: Reduction in travel price for all defects?
According to Tobias Klingelhöfer, a lawyer at Allgemeine Rechtsschutz-Versicherungs-AG, there are no clear rules about what tourists have to put up with on their vacation. This is precisely what makes it difficult for experts to help frustrated travelers out of a jam. For example, vacationers have to accept the smell of diesel in their cruise ship cabin just as much as their unfulfilled wish for a room with a sea view. The same usually applies to hotels that claim to be on the beach.
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The situation is clearer, however, when it comes to broken pools or permanent construction sites in accommodation. “Even if booked excursions are cancelled without replacement and only bad canteen food is served instead of a delicious buffet, travelers are entitled to a subsequent reduction in the travel price,” says Klingelhöfer. But for this to work, vacationers must follow a few rules.
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Unfortunately, listing the defects to the tour operator afterwards is not very productive. According to the travel expert, those affected should complain about the alleged defects or flaws in writing while they are on site – and not at the hotel reception or the travel agency, but directly to the operator. Tourists should also set a realistic deadline for the repair. If the defects have not been repaired within this time, holidaymakers should document this – ideally with photos and witness statements. Even after the holiday, you should then complain to the tour operator within two years and submit the evidence.
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“It is also important to know that if holidaymakers are offered a replacement hotel that is more expensive than their previous accommodation, they cannot be asked to pay the additional costs.” In return, holidaymakers can usually demand money back for defects and thus reduce the price of their trip. It is not possible to say in general how much money they will get back. “A good guideline for this is the so-called Frankfurt Table“, recommends Tobias Klingelhöfer.
In order to get money back, travelers should always include a price reduction or compensation claim in their complaint. “However, vacationers should not expect too much: even for an expensive trip, the reduction in the price of the trip is often disappointingly small.” Anyone who wants to file a lawsuit in court should look for a lawyer who specializes in travel law. Ideally, you should have legal protection so that you don’t end up having to pay the additional costs.
