Will I get my money back if my flight or other travel arrangements are delayed, cancelled or double booked?
Sometimes you can claim a refund for all or part of your travel costs. For example, in the case of a natural disaster, war or terrorist attack in the country you are visiting, or if your travel company is in financial difficulty. You may be entitled to compensation if you experience serious delays or if your hotel is overbooked.
Conditions for claiming a refund for all or part of your travel costs
If your travel company is affiliated to the Disaster Fund (SCR), the SCR will pay the extra costs if you have to change your travel arrangements because of a disaster of some kind.
Your rights in the event your hotel is overbooked
If your hotel is overbooked, you are entitled to a comparable alternative if your travel company is affiliated to the Travel Refund Guarantee Fund (SGR). In other cases, you have to accept the alternative offered by your travel company.
Money back if your travel company goes bankrupt
If your travel company goes bankrupt and you have already paid all or part of the costs of your trip abroad, you can claim a refund if the organisation is affiliated to a guarantee fund. In some cases another organisation will take over your trip, so it can go ahead. The Consuwijzer website gives advice (in Dutch) on what to do if your travel company goes bankrupt.
Your rights in the event of train delays
In many cases, you are entitled to compensation if you experience serious delays on domestic or international train journeys. The Eurostar to London, for example, offers compensation for a delay of more than 60 minutes. You can find information on your rights as a train traveller on the European Union website.
Your rights in the event of flight delays or lost or damaged luggage
You may be entitled to compensation if your flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked, or if your luggage is damaged or lost. European rules guarantee your rights as an air traveller.