How to Handle a Holiday Cancellation and Get the Right Support
A holiday cancellation can disrupt even the most carefully planned trip. Whether it’s due to illness, a change in circumstances, or airline disruption, the unexpected can quickly turn your excitement into stress. But with the right information and support, managing cancellations and securing refunds doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
At Jamie Wake Travel, we believe in making travel simple—even when things don’t go to plan. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand your rights, navigate policies, and access personalised support every step of the way.
What Counts as a Holiday Cancellation?
A holiday cancellation happens when a trip you’ve booked—whether a flight, hotel, cruise, or full package—is called off either by you, the travel provider, or due to circumstances beyond control, like strikes or bad weather.
Cancellations fall into two main categories:
- Supplier-led : when a tour operator, airline, or hotel cancels part or all of your holiday
- Customer-led : when you decide to cancel your trip due to personal reasons
Knowing the difference matters, as your rights and refund options will vary.
Let’s take a closer look at both.
If Your Holiday Is Cancelled by the Supplier
When your provider cancels your holiday, you have specific legal rights under UK Package Travel Regulations. If the cancellation affects a package holiday (typically flights plus accommodation booked together), you are entitled to:
- A full refund within 14 days
- The option to accept an alternative trip
- Additional compensation in some cases (e.g. very short notice)
These rights apply no matter why the provider cancelled. You do not have to accept a voucher, credit note, or rescheduled date unless you want to.
Always check who your contract is with—this may be a tour operator, airline, or third-party provider. If you booked with Jamie Wake Travel, we handle this on your behalf.
We manage this process for you.
If You Choose to Cancel Your Holiday
Sometimes life gets in the way, and you may need to cancel a holiday you’ve booked. This could be for a wide range of reasons:
- Illness or medical emergencies
- Redundancy or changes at work
- Family emergencies
- Passport or visa issues
- Personal reasons
In this case, what you’re entitled to depends on:
- The timing of your cancellation
- The terms and conditions of your booking
- Whether you took out travel insurance
- Whether the trip is refundable or non-refundable
Jamie Wake Travel’s Approach to Holiday Cancellation
When you book with us, you receive clear, fair, and transparent terms. We understand that sometimes plans change, and we aim to make the process as smooth as possible.
Our Booking Terms and Conditions set out your rights and responsibilities. Here’s what you need to know:
Cancelling Your Booking
If you need to cancel, let us know in writing as soon as possible. Cancellation charges are based on how close to the departure date you cancel. For example many suppliers follow:
- More than 84 days before departure : loss of deposit
- Between 83 and 70 days : up to 30% of the total holiday cost
- Within 7 days of departure : up to 100% of the holiday cost
The closer to your departure, the more charges apply. These reflect costs that suppliers pass on to us.
We always try to minimise your costs where possible.
Can You Recover Your Costs Through Insurance?
If you’ve taken out travel insurance—and we always recommend that you do—it may cover some or all of your cancellation costs. Policies vary, but cover typically includes:
- Illness or injury (with a doctor’s note)
- Bereavement in the family
- Redundancy
- Jury service or court summons
Your insurer will ask for documentation to support your claim. We can provide this if needed.
If you don’t have travel insurance or your reason isn’t covered, you may still be able to recover some costs depending on the timing and terms of your cancellation.
Ask yourself: could I afford to cancel without insurance?
Understanding Non-Refundable Elements
Some parts of your holiday may be non-refundable, even with insurance. These can include:
- Low-cost airline tickets
- Promotional hotel rates
- Visa processing fees
- Event tickets or timed activities
We’ll let you know during the booking process which elements are flexible and which are not. That way, there are no surprises later.
It’s also why we always recommend paying via credit card or debit card, as this can provide extra protection under the Consumer Credit Act.
What to Do if Your Airline Cancels Your Flight
Airline cancellations are becoming more common due to weather, strikes, and operational issues. If your airline cancels your flight, you are legally entitled to:
- A full refund
- A replacement flight
- Assistance at the airport (e.g. food, accommodation)
If your flight is part of a package holiday booked through Jamie Wake Travel, we will handle the rebooking or refund process for you.
When flights are cancelled at short notice, we’ll work quickly to get you back on track.
What if Your Hotel or Transfer Is Cancelled?
While less common, hotels and transfers can also be cancelled due to overbooking, weather damage, or supplier changes.
We’ll always:
- Try to find an equal or better replacement
- Ensure it’s in a similar location
- Keep you updated at every step
You can choose whether to accept the new arrangement or cancel and receive a refund.
We work with trusted suppliers to keep these issues to a minimum—but when they do happen, we act quickly.
How Jamie Wake Travel Protects Your Booking
Booking with Jamie Wake Travel means more than just ticking boxes. You benefit from layered protection that gives you peace of mind.
Every tailor-made holiday includes:
- Supplier Failure Insurance : protects you if a hotel or tour operator goes out of business
- Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance : covers you if your airline suddenly stops operating
- ATOL Protection : ensures your money and trip are protected if a flight-inclusive package is cancelled
- Membership of Protected Trust Services : your money is held securely in trust until your travel takes place
No matter what happens, you won’t be left out of pocket.
Jamie Says:
"Cancellations are never welcome, but they’re sometimes unavoidable. What matters is how they’re handled—and that’s where we step in. Our job is to make sure you never feel alone, even when plans change."
Your Step-by-Step Holiday Cancellation Checklist
Here’s what to do if you need to cancel your trip:
- Contact us right away. We’ll guide you through your options.
- Review your booking documents for key dates and conditions.
- Check your travel insurance policy to see what’s covered.
- Put your cancellation in writing so we can process it properly.
- Return any travel documents if required (tickets, vouchers, etc.)
- Allow time for refunds (these may take up to 14 days depending on suppliers)
We’re here to support you through every step of this process.
Changing a Booking Instead of Cancelling
If you don’t want to cancel altogether, you may be able to:
- Move your travel dates
- Switch to a different destination
- Transfer the booking to someone else
Each option may carry a small fee, but they often cost less than a full cancellation.
We’ll explain your options clearly and help you make the best choice.
Sometimes a tweak is better than giving up on your break entirely.
What Happens with Special Offers?
If you’ve booked a promotional offer or limited-time deal, the cancellation rules may be stricter. For example:
- Non-refundable deposits
- Shorter cancellation windows
- Higher cancellation charges
We’ll always make these conditions clear before you book. We can also suggest more flexible alternatives if you prefer.
If you’d like to book with more flexibility, just ask—we have lots of offers that allow for easier changes.
Supporting You Before, During, and After Travel
At Jamie Wake Travel, support doesn’t stop once your holiday is booked. We’re available before you go, while you’re away, and when you return. That includes:
- Help with travel disruptions
- Emergency rebooking
- Advice on refund claims
- Liaising with suppliers on your behalf
One sentence to share: You’ll never face a cancellation alone when you book with us.
We’re not a faceless website. We’re real people who care about your holiday.
Final Thoughts: Holiday Cancellation Doesn’t Mean the End
A holiday cancellation might feel like a setback, but it doesn’t have to ruin your plans. With fair policies, clear communication, and a supportive travel team, you can recover quickly—and even plan a better trip next time.
Jamie Wake Travel is here to guide you through it all. Whether you need a refund, a new destination, or just someone to explain the fine print, we’ve got your back.
We don’t just help you book holidays—we protect them.
Need Help with a Holiday Cancellation?
If you’re dealing with a holiday cancellation or just want the reassurance of support when you travel, get in touch today.
Call 01495 400005
to speak to us directly, or
use our holiday enquiry form
to start planning with peace of mind.
Your holiday matters. Let us take care of it—whatever happens.