easyJet: Tourists travelling to Spain can get free refunds as travel rules change

Covid-19: Simon Calder explains when to book travel PCR tests

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

From the start of December, every tourist over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated to travel to Spain. The policy was brought in due to the threat of the Omicron variant.

Spain’s rules have caused issues for British families with children between the ages of 12-18.

Under Spain’s policy, teenagers must have been double vaccinated with a two dose vaccine to count as fully vaccinated.

Many teenagers in the UK will not have had the chance to get the second jab yet and cannot travel to Spain.

easyJet holidays has now said it will offer free cancellations to customers who can’t meet the new Spanish entry requirements.

The holiday company had previously said it would offer free amendments and cancellations in return for credit.

It will now allow families with children who are not double vaccinated to cancel and receive a free refund.

The policy applies to British families with Spanish holidays booked up until December 31 in 2021.

Matt Callaghan, director of customer and operations, said: “We know just how special travelling at Christmas and New Year is for our customers, so we want to make sure we do the right thing.

“We’re introducing this new flexible policy to support customers with teenagers on their bookings who may not be able to provide proof of full vaccination which travelling to Spain currently requires.

“We’re also extending our cancellation for credit or free amend options for all other customers set to travel over the festive period.”

The cancellation for credit and free amend policies had been due to end on December 17 but will now be extended to holidays until December 31.

Customers need to take up the offer by midnight on December 5, according to Travel Weekly.

British tourists with easyJet holidays booked in 2022 will be covered by the company’s Protection Promise.

The promise requires the balance to be paid 28 days before departure and gives customers the option to cancel 28 days before travel. They can then keep their deposit as credit with the easyjet Holidays brand.

Holiday plans to Europe have been shaken by the emergence of the new Omicron variant.

It is not yet known how dangerous the variant could be but it is thought to be more transmissible.

Tourists arriving in the UK need to take a PCR test on or before day two after arrival in Britain.

They must self-isolate until they receive a negative result and continue to isolate if it is positive.

British tourists are advised to check the UK Government website before travelling overseas as restrictions can change rapidly.

Scientists expect to have more information on the dangers of Omicron in the next few weeks.

Source: Read Full Article