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CAA extends refund credit notes to ‘strengthen customer confidence’
The Civil Aviation Authority has announced its much-awaited guidance on the extension of refund credit notes, saying they can now be issued for Covid-related cancellations up until 31 December 2020.
In July, the CAA said consumers who accepted RCNs for cancelled ATOL-protected holidays would be covered by the ATOL scheme, effective from 10 March 2020.
Initially, the CAA said RCNs could be issued until 30 September 2020. Since the 30 September deadline passed, ABTA and the industry has been waiting for updated guidance.
The date that ATOL protection for RCNs runs out remains the same: 30 September 2021.
The CAA said RCNs must be issued for an ATOL-protected booking cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic. But it warned customers do not have to accept an RCN and are entitled to a cash refund.
Paul Smith, Consumer Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said "In light of the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel, the decision to extend ATOL protection for refund credit notes will strengthen consumer confidence and allow for ATOL holders to continue to offer them in good faith to their customers.
"While consumers may choose to accept a refund credit note if one is offered, they are entitled to a cash refund and must be offered this at the same time," he said.
Customers holding valid refund credit notes should redeem them for a new booking or a refund by 30 September 2021, the CAA said.
By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)
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Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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