By February 22, 2021, Neckermann faces bankruptcy. If this is the case, some of the customers of this tour operator risk not seeing the color of their money again, unless certain measures are taken quickly (see point 3).
But regardless of the tour operator from whom you have obtained a voucher (corona or not) for a package trip since the start of the pandemic crisis, here is a reminder of the rules and their application with the specific case of Neckermann.
1 / What is a package tour?
This is a trip that combines several services. For example, booking a flight and booking a hotel. For such products, tour operators usually have financial insolvency insurance.
And this is the case with Neckermann. “Thus, in the event of Neckermann’s bankruptcy, travelers will be able to turn to the insurer MS Amlin Insurance SE to request reimbursement of the amount paid (the advance or the entire trip)”, warns Test Achat.
2 / Bankruptcy: what if I have a corona voucher?
If you have received a voucher (valid), which was issued between March 20 and June 19, 2020, following the cancellation of a package trip due to the coronavirus, you haveone year to use this voucher to make a new reservation.
With a corona voucher, you are protected in the event of bankruptcy.
“During this time, the voucher is covered and you are therefore protected in the event of bankruptcy of the travel organization“, explains Etienne Mignolet, spokesperson for the SPF Economy.
In the case of Neckermann, this means that if you still have such a voucher, you are protected in the event of bankruptcy.
3 / Bankruptcy: what about a classic voucher?
Since June 20, 2020, consumers no longer have any obligation to accept a voucher in the event of a canceled trip (whereas this was the case between March 20 and June 19, 2020). They can either obtain a refund within 14 days of canceling the trip, or accept a “classic” voucher.
If you have opted for this second solution, the tour operator should in principle have made it clear to you that you risk losing your money in the event of bankruptcy.
If you have a regular voucher, book travel by February 22 to protect yourself from bankruptcy.
Never mind, “so it is best to use this voucher as soon as possible to book a new travel package, in order to be protected in the event of bankruptcy“, advises Etienne Mignolet. In this case, if the trip is canceled, you will be entitled to a refund within 14 days.
In the case of Neckermann, it is therefore essential to use the voucher to book a trip before February 22, 2021, reminds Test Achat. “It is only once their reservation has been confirmed that consumers will fall under the protection of insurance,” said Julie Frère, the spokesperson for the consumer organization.
I received a voucher for my canceled trip. What can I do with it now?
3 / Canceled trip: what about a voucher (corona)?
If you don’t redeem a voucher before its expiration date, you have the right to request reimbursement within one year of issuance. The tour operator will then have 6 months to return the full value of the voucher to you.
Please note, if you have used the corona voucher to book a new trip and you believe that it will not be able to take place, you can cancel it yourself for free (if you can prove that it will not be able to take place). ) or wait for the tour operator to cancel it themselves. If this is the case, you will be able to request a refund within 14 days of the cancellation.