Christmas travel rights mean you could get up to £520 compensation for cancellations

Facing the grim prospect of "cancelled" signs on a packed train platform during the winter chill, or learning that your long-awaited transatlantic flight to reunite with family over the festive period has been delayed or scrapped, can be incredibly disheartening. If you've got travel plans for Christmas, it's wise to be prepared.

MoneyMagpie offers invaluable advice on how to handle disruptions and secure refunds.

Securing travel insurance is crucial whether you're venturing abroad or have booked a staycation within the UK. It adds an essential layer of protection and aids in reimbursement processes if things go awry.

For instance, should your outbound flight face delays, you might be eligible to reclaim part of your holiday expenses. Or, if illness prevents you from visiting that cosy Lake District cabin, you could recoup lost deposits.

Always scrutinise the terms and conditions of any insurance policy before purchasing to ensure it covers probable scenarios. While package holidays often include insurance, it's important to read the small print; there may be exclusions, like pre-existing medical conditions, that don't meet your needs, reports the Mirror.

In such cases, seek out supplementary coverage that fits your situation. Remember, your seat reservation isn't guaranteed – but don't hesitate to request it. If you find yourself on an overcrowded train due to previous cancellations, you're still entitled to your reserved seat. This is unless a specific announcement has been made lifting ticket restrictions, which usually happens when a problem affects all train companies in a certain area.

So, if you need to sit down on the train where you've reserved a seat, you can ask the person occupying it to move. However, if ticket restrictions are lifted, you should be aware that you can enter a first-class coach without paying a first-class fare.

If you hold a first-class ticket and restrictions are announced, make sure to note down the details of your journey and contact the train operator. They will refund the difference between a standard class and first-class ticket.

If ticket restrictions are lifted due to overcrowding caused by cancellations and delays, but you need to sit down due to limited mobility, seek out a station guard before boarding. They will help you find a seat when the train arrives.

It's also important to know your Delay Repay rights. Delay Repay is the UK-wide system for train travel refunds when your train is delayed or cancelled. The amount you can claim for a refund depends on how late your train is delayed – and you can't claim until after the journey is complete (or totally cancelled).

If your train is delayed between 15-29 minutes, you're entitled to a 25% refund of a single ticket fare (or the single portion of a return). Delays of 30-59 minutes warrant a 50% refund, while anything over 60 minutes means you can claim 100% of the single ticket fare.

If the delay exceeds 120 minutes, you can also claim the return portion of a return ticket for a full refund. Remember, you must lodge your claim with the train operator from whom you purchased your ticket within 28 days.

It's recommended to take screenshots of live delays on your mobile app or departure boards as evidence for your claim. If your train is cancelled and you either can't catch the next one or choose not to travel, you're entitled to a full refund on that part of the ticket.

If cancellations and delays mean you didn't use your ticket at all (like deciding not to travel on an outbound leg of a return ticket), you can claim a full refund even if it's an advance ticket. Some companies will automatically refund you if you bought a ticket directly through them and opted for one-click Delay Repay.

Season ticket holders may be eligible for some compensation, but this depends on the delay and operator, so contact the train company for more information. Flight compensation. rules can be quite complex and vary greatly depending on the nature of the delay. We'll focus on flights departing from the UK (any airline) or arriving in the UK or EU (on a UK or EU airline).

It's crucial to note that while an airline might offer a credit note instead of a refund, passengers are entitled to claim a cash refund. In cases of delays due to adverse weather conditions, the airline should provide access to food and drink, phone calls and emails, and overnight accommodation if the delay e. xtends overnight.

This support is available if your flight distance is less than 1500km (and 2 hours delayed), 1500-3500km (and a 3+ hour delay), or a delay of more than 4 hours for distances over 3500km. Refunds are only provided if the delay was within the airline's control, such as a technical issue with the aeroplane, and the flight was delayed by more than three hours.

Delays due to bad weather do not qualify. Cash compensation will range between £220 and £520 depending on the length of delay and the flight distance. If your flight is delayed by more than five hours, you have the right to opt out of the flight and receive a full refund for the cost of your ticket.

This includes a full refund on onward travel tickets, such as a return portion of a flight. If you're halfway through a multi-leg journey, the airline must provide you with a flight back to your original airport.

Newcastle airport passengers have also been issued a Christmas warning ahead of the busy festive period.

If the flight delay was unavoidable, such as due to poor weather conditions, passengers are not entitled to a cash refund. However, if the delay exceeds 5 hours, it's recommended to cancel the ticket and claim a full refund.

Cancelled flights entitle passengers to a full refund, including for other tickets like split leg onward journeys or return flights, or a replacement flight to the destination with another airline. It's important to note that if your outbound flight is cancelled and you travel with a different airline, your return portion of the original ticket may also be cancelled.

Therefore, it's advisable to check well in advance before your return journey. For more information on flight compensation and refunds, Citizens Advice provides a comprehensive guide.

Lastly, while it's understandable that tempers can flare during delays, treating transport staff kindly will likely yield better results than shouting. Being aware of your rights can help you make a strong case for assistance without causing unnecessary commotion.

If you or someone you're travelling with is vulnerable, such as needing timed medication, being disabled or having limited mental capacity, transport operators have an additional duty of care.

Ensure you emphasise any extra requirements you or your group members may have, and propose a solution that would make decision-making easier. While you can't demand they halt a snowstorm, they could potentially arrange alternative transport like a taxi home, or provide a calm space to wait out the delay rather than a packed room.