Can I get a refund if I cancel my holiday?

Q. I have booked a package holiday and now I am unable to go. Can I get a refund?

- SHARON HAMPSON, RUTHERGLEN & CAMBUSLANG CITIZENS' ADVICE BUREAU MANAGER, ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

A. If you booked at least two different parts of your holiday with the same company at the same time, it's probably a package holiday.

If you booked with different companies, it's a good idea to check if your holiday is a package - it might be classed as a different type of holiday.

Your rights to cancel a package holiday (or a particular part of a holiday like a flight or a hotel booking) usually depend on the terms and conditions of your booking, and your reason for wanting to cancel. You might be entitled to cancel the holiday without a fee if: the holiday company makes significant changes to your holiday or it puts certain prices up after you book or you can’t get to your destination because of exceptional circumstances - like war or a natural disaster.

The company should pay any money you're owed within 14 days of cancellation. If you change your mind about going, you can cancel but you'll probably have to pay a fee.

You might be covered for cancelling a trip if you have travel insurance - check your policy or contact the insurance company if you’re not sure.

Q. I am close to the date of the holiday that I have to cancel. Can I get my money back?

A. You can cancel any time before the holiday starts but you’ll probably have to pay a cancellation fee. The fees should be in the terms and conditions. They're likely to be higher if it's close to the departure date.

Contact the company if you can’t find your terms and conditions. The company should only charge you the amount they'll lose - they should try to sell the holiday to someone else. If you think they're charging too much, ask how they worked out the cancellation fee.

Q. Can I transfer the holiday to another person who could take my place?

A. Think about whether you can find someone to take the holiday, as this might be cheaper than cancelling it. The person you're transferring to must meet any conditions - like age restrictions.