Cancelled or postponed events
If you’ve bought a ticket for a cancelled event from an official seller, you could be entitled to a refund from them. You may not get back any extra costs paid such as postage or booking fees. The same rule should apply to entry fees if you’ve paid to take part in an event or competition - such as a marathon or cycling race - but you’ll need to check with the event organiser’s terms and conditions.
If you’ve bought tickets through a ticket reseller, you’ll need to check their terms and conditions to see if you’ll get your money back. Please consider these refunds can take longer than expected due to knock on impacts of coronavirus.
If the organisers are planning to move the date of the event, your tickets should be valid for the new date. If you can’t make the new date, you can ask for a refund from the ticket retailer, but you’ll need to check your booking terms and conditions. Again, you’re unlikely to get back any postage costs or booking fees. Refunds from ticket-reselling websites will also depend on their own terms and conditions.
Travel and hotel costs
If your event has been cancelled but you also booked travel and accommodation to attend, contact the organisations you booked with to see whether the service is still available. You could get a refund or be able to rebook for a later date. Packages with flights, hotels and event ticket included may be covered under your travel insurance.
Personal events
Cancelling or postponing a personal event - such as a party or wedding - will depend on what agreements you have with your suppliers. Speak to your suppliers about your options. You may not get your deposit or other payments refunded if you cancel completely. If your supplier cancels, you may be entitled to a refund. This will depend on the terms and conditions of your booking.
If you have wedding insurance, check your policy or speak to your insurance provider about what you can claim.
If you paid on a credit or debit card, you can raise a payment dispute for review. If you believe that you have paid for an item or service that has not been delivered, was not as described, a refund has not been received or where merchants aren’t following their terms and conditions, you can submit a claim for review. Find out more about payment disputes.
Credit card refunds
If you paid by credit card you may be able to claim a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if you are eligible. Section 75 rights are only available where the seller/provider has misrepresented something or if there has been a breach of contract.
You may be able to make a claim from your credit card provider for the loss you have suffered. However it only covers goods and services valued over £100 and below £30,000. If you have a credit card with us, you can find out more about Section 75 and how to make a claim.