Co-op Holidays to allow free holiday changes
Co-op Holidays is to waive admin fees for customers who want to change their holidays as part of its new ‘Co-op Holidays Promise’.
The tour operating arm of Midcounties Co-op says clients can also cancel up to six weeks before departure and forfeit only their deposit, which starts at £49 per person.
Those who want to switch to another holiday can do so for free, but will be obliged to pay any difference in price. If they transfer to a cheaper holiday they will be refunded the difference.
Co-op Holidays has also promised to refund any holidays it cancels within 10 days. It says it won’t issue Refund Credit Notes.
At the same time, the operator has launched a new travel insurance policy that includes medical cover for Covid-19 and also cancellation cover for holidaymakers who can’t travel due to a positive diagnosis.
The Covid-19 cover, launched in conjunction with Rock Insurance, will be added retrospectively to all policies sold since 14 April where EIG is the underwriter.
However, unlike some other policies launched in the past week or so, including ABTA’s new insurance policy, the new Co-op insurance doesn’t include cover for customers who can’t travel because they’ve been told to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone with Covid.
By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps