Riviera Travel Refusing Cash Refund

[havelo]

I was due to travel to Italy 1st May with Riviera Travel. They have cancelled my holiday and offered to re-book or holiday voucher but no cash refund. Checking on the ABTA website it says that the rules regarding refund for cancelled holidays have not been officially changed.
Can I take Riviera Travel to small claims court ?

[jno]

regardless of whether havelo needs it or not, I don't know why customers who haven't got what they paid for should be expected to donate money to the company that hasn't provided it. It too should be insured against this kind of thing happening.

[Zacs-Master]

They’re simply trying to survive and come out of this as a viable company, jno. Some of the methods are a bit unscrupulous but, means must.

[jno]

of course they are (and I like Riviera, I've travelled with them several times). But if havelo wants his money back he should get it, no ifs or buts. If that leaves them short of cash, it's their problem, to be sorted out with their insurers.

[Zacs-Master]

Agreed. And if havelock had followed previous advice, they may be in receipt of it by now.