Think twice before booking off-island travel, says Jersey Consumer Council

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Jersey
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Consumer
Friday 19 June 2020 at 10:50am

Carl Walker from Jersey Consumer Council says the island remains in 'uncharted territory' when it comes to overseas travel. Credit: ITV Channel TV/PA Images

Jersey's Consumer Council is urging people to be cautious when booking travel off-island whilst advice is uncertain.

Both Easyjet and British Airways have re-opened their booking systems from early July. The government has also indicated that some commercial travel could resume in a matter of weeks, when the island hopes to move into Level 1 of its exit strategy.

Carl Walker, Chairman of Jersey Consumer Council, told ITV News people should avoid booking unless they could afford to risk the money spent.

Yes, it's very tempting but we are still in uncharted territory, we still don't know if those flights are going to go. There's still a huge question mark over whether even if restrictions are lifted, are the flights looking to obtain a certain number of seats sold before that flight will go, and if not they may cancel or move it again. I'd advise unless it's essential, just hold fire at least a little bit longer and wait to see what happens. Flights are going to be available, airlines will be opening new routes, or re-opening routes, throughout the next six months, 12 months as we go forward. There are still going to be options there, but unless you can afford to live without that money you are going to put down now, don't do it, hang on a little bit longer.

The Consumer Council have had many queries from people who have already paid deposits on holidays due to take place in August, where they are now being asked to pay the remainder.

Jersey's borders could open as early as July

Condor has announced they will not resume sailings until 2 July at the earliest.

Earlier this week, Manche Iles Express, which connects the Channel Islands to Normandy, suggested holidays to France could soon be on the horizon.

In a press release they stated that although the Channel Islands did not form part of the Schengen zone (to which travel restrictions with France have already been eased), they took hope from President Macron's assurance that travel outside of Europe would become possible to places 'where the pandemic is under control'.

Jersey's British Airways flights to go from Heathrow in July

Consumer Councils top tips for people thinking about booking travel:

Check with whoever they are booking with that they are either ABTA or ATOL registered,
Check you have valid travel insurance. If you are taking out new insurance, make sure it doesn't include an exclusion for a pandemic or lockdown,
Book with a credit card, which gives an added level of consumer protection,
Ask yourself, could you manage without that money in the bank if that flight or holiday is cancelled and you can't get a refund for up to 12 months.

All the information and advice for the Channel Islands in one place