How can EU travel vouchers be made more flexible and transferable?

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EU Travel Vouchers Can Be Made More Flexible and Transferable Through Enhanced Protections and Broader Applicability

To encourage travellers to accept vouchers instead of cash refunds for cancelled trips during the pandemic, the European Commission is advising member states to implement measures that enhance flexibility and transferability. These recommendations aim to make vouchers a more appealing and secure option, thereby supporting the struggling travel and tourism sectors. The core principle is to ensure that these vouchers offer comparable or even superior value and convenience to immediate cash reimbursements.
Vouchers Must Be Protected Against Issuer Insolvency

A key recommendation is that travel vouchers should be protected against the financial insolvency of the company that issued them. This means that if an airline or other travel provider goes bankrupt, travellers holding vouchers should still be able to use them or receive a refund. This protection is intended to be assured at the national level by each member state.
Unredeemed Vouchers Should Remain Refundable

Furthermore, the guidance suggests that vouchers should retain their refundability at the end of their validity period if they have not been redeemed. This provision ensures that travellers do not lose their money simply because they were unable to use the voucher within its designated timeframe. This policy aims to mitigate the risk for consumers and increase confidence in accepting vouchers.
Enhanced Accessibility and Transferability for All Passengers

To increase their attractiveness, secured vouchers need to be made accessible to all passengers and travellers. Beyond this, the Commission suggests that vouchers should be more flexible and widely transferable. This could mean allowing them to be used for a broader range of services offered by the issuer, or even being transferable to other individuals, thereby increasing their utility and marketability.

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How can EU travel vouchers be made more flexible and transferable?

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