If you booked with a debit card, Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said you may be able to make a claim using the Chargeback scheme. This gives people a chance of getting their money back from their bank if a service has not been provided.
Mr Haqqi said: “You should be entitled to a refund. The company you bought your ticket from could either offer you a refund or the option of a ticket to a rescheduled date.”
Those having trouble getting their refund can check if the ticket seller is a member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR). Members should be refunded if the event is cancelled and the organiser has agreed to give a refund. If they refuse, you can use STAR’s complaints procedure, according to Citizens Advice.
If you have to cancel a trip where an event you were planning on attending is called off, it is unlikely you will be covered by travel insurers, said Stuart Lloyd, travel insurance expert at Columbus Direct.
Mr Lloyd said: “This approach is unlikely to be any different where events are being called off due to attempts to limit the spread of Covid-19.
“Therefore, unless your travel insurance policy specifically provides cover for event cancellation, your travel insurer is unlikely to accept a claim for any losses, unless the event was due to take place in a country that the FCO advises against travelling to, and the policy provides cover against cancellation for that reason.”
Jan Carton, of Citizens Advice, said to keep checking the information from the official seller or organiser to ensure you’re up to date.
Ms Carton also warned that people need to be on the lookout for scammers. “If your event is cancelled and people or companies offer their services to try to recover money on your behalf, make sure that you’re looking out for the signs of a potential scam.”