GermanyTravel
Flight delays/cancellations, hotel bookings, travel insurance
18 questions
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Flight Delays
(2)What are my rights if my flight is delayed?
You may be entitled to €250–€600 in compensation if your flight arrives at least 3 hours late, unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.
When am I entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight?
You’re entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation (€250–€600) if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure and the airline can’t prove extraordinary circumstances beyond its control.
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Hotel Complaints
(6)What can I do if my hotel room does not match the booking?
If your hotel room in a package tour doesn’t match what was promised, you can demand repairs, price reduction, replacement services, or even cancel the trip — and you may claim compensation for extra costs or lost vacation value.
How do I claim compensation for travel defects?
You can claim compensation for travel defects in Germany by promptly notifying your tour operator, documenting the issue, and asserting rights under BGB § 651i and § 651n — including price reduction, replacement services, or damages.
What is the time limit for reporting travel defects?
You must report travel defects to the tour operator without undue delay — typically within a few days of discovery, and before the end of the trip if possible.
Can I reduce the travel price if the tour had problems?
Yes, you can demand a price reduction for significant defects in a package tour under German law, provided the tour operator fails to fix them or offers inadequate replacement services.
Am I entitled to a replacement trip if my package tour has major defects under German law?
No — German law does not require the tour operator to provide a replacement trip. Instead, you may cancel the contract and claim a refund, price reduction, or compensation for damages.
What compensation can I claim for ruined vacation?
You can claim price reduction, reimbursement of wasted vacation time (entgangene Urlaubsfreude), and material damages — unless the defect was caused by you, an unforeseeable third party, or unavoidable extraordinary circumstances.
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Package Tours
(5)What is the difference between a package tour and an individual booking?
A package tour (Pauschalreise) bundles at least two different travel services for the same trip and triggers strong consumer protections; an individual booking is a single service or unrelated services without those legal safeguards.
Can the tour operator increase the price after booking?
Yes, but only under strict legal conditions: the contract must allow it, the increase must stem from specific cost changes (e.g., fuel, taxes, exchange rates), and the traveler must be notified clearly and at least 20 days before departure.
What is the tour operator’s duty to assist travelers in difficulty during package tours under German law, including obligations for medical care, repatriation, and communication, and what is the statutory cap on liability for non-personal damages?
German tour operators must assist travelers in difficulty during package tours, including arranging medical care, repatriation, and communication — and their liability for non-personal damages is capped at three times the travel price.
Can the tour operator change the hotel or itinerary after booking a package travel contract under German law, and what are the legal conditions and consumer rights regarding such changes?
Yes, but only under strict conditions: changes must be 'material', offered in writing no later than 20 days before departure, and you may reject them and cancel without penalty.
What pre-contractual information must the operator provide?
In Germany, operators using online booking procedures that link multiple travel services must disclose they act as a tour operator and provide full package tour information before contract conclusion.
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Refunds & Cancellations
(4)Can I cancel a package tour and get a refund?
Yes, you can cancel a package tour before departure under German law, but the tour operator may charge a reasonable cancellation fee — unless unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances (like a pandemic) apply.
What cancellation fees can the tour operator charge?
A German tour operator may charge only an 'appropriate compensation' for cancellations before departure — not the full price — and must justify the amount if no clear, fair flat-rate schedule is in the contract.
What happens if the tour operator goes bankrupt?
If a German tour operator goes bankrupt, you’re entitled to a full refund of prepaid amounts, repatriation, and accommodation until return — guaranteed by mandatory insolvency protection.
Can I transfer my travel booking to someone else?
Yes, you can transfer your package tour booking to someone else in Germany, but only if you notify the tour operator in writing at least 7 days before departure and the new traveler meets all contractual requirements.