| I don't mean in a 'Dante's Peak' lava flow, lake of acid | | | | Association, which represents the credit card industry. |
| way but in the way that matters to millions of | | | | Even if you've been caught out by the wording of |
| Europeans whose travel plans have been upset by | | | | terms and conditions that mean that an airline has not |
| the recent cloud of ash. | | | | breached its contract, some card companies are still |
| Let's just say the Icelandic volcano won't be the last | | | | making refunds through a charge-back for a service |
| thing to spew fire as frustrated holidaymakers seek | | | | not received. |
| recompense for their cancelled flights and subsequent | | | | Visa Debit Chargeback is a procedure in which the |
| hotel expenses. | | | | banks will "charge back" the value of the original |
| There are two issues: fees levied on consumers | | | | transaction directly from the supplier's bank, and pass |
| forced to use a card abroad and getting money back | | | | this amount on to the consumer. |
| from cancelled flights. | | | | Those wishing to try and claim should contact the |
| The first issue will be down to whether users have | | | | bank who provided them with their Visa debit card |
| suitable use abroad credit cards. | | | | within 120 days, requesting that they initiate the |
| That will only become in time but it does underline the | | | | chargeback process. |
| importance of this product. | | | | Unfortunately, this will not apply to those who booked |
| For the second point the consumers' first port of call | | | | Ryanair flights with a prepaid MasterCard to avoid |
| will be the major insurers. However, they have not yet | | | | their credit card booking charges. |
| revelaed whether they will produce the cash to cover | | | | Those consumers wishing to claim for extra hotel |
| the costs incurred because of the volcano since it's an | | | | expenses that they bought with a credit card may be |
| "exceptional circumstance" or "act of God" claim. | | | | covered by "'consequential cover" under section 75 of |
| Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act means that | | | | the Consumer Credit Act. |
| where a company breaks its contract to provide a | | | | Although purchases on a Visa debit card which is |
| good or service worth £100 or more, the card | | | | attached to an account in overdraft are usually |
| company will make a refund. | | | | covered under the Consumer Credit Act, such |
| Credit card companies will be called upon to reimburse | | | | purchases do not include 'consequential cover', |
| their customers under this act if consumers' are able | | | | According to the UK Cards Association, purchases |
| to show that their airline is in breach of contract and | | | | made on a Visa debit card do not include |
| does not provide them with the flight purchased. | | | | "consequential cover". |
| However, if the airline's terms and conditions say it | | | | MasterCard credit cards - such as the popular Virgin |
| does not have to in "exceptional" or "Act of God" | | | | Money credit card - and Mastercard debit cards |
| circumstances, it is not in breach of contract. In such | | | | meanwhile are not covered under the Act in any |
| circumstances the credit card company does not | | | | circumstance. |
| have to pay out, according to the UK Cards | | | | |