IMPORTANT INFO: For those who paid on a Debit Card (MasterCard in my case, not a credit card) I just got all my money back through my bank via the Chargeback scheme, this was via MetroBank. I got all £782.46 refunded today which was the cost of the hotel and car hire. Flights were paid for already. This took 4 days to do.
I originally booked on 15th Jan 2016, so still very possible to get your money back.
Make sure you contact your bank immediately 😊

The Financial Ombudsman web site says card issuers should make it clear chargeback amounts can be re debited from customers accounts if the company in question does not agree to the refund within a certain timescale. I think it's forty five days from memory. I don't want to put a dampener on things but any refunds should perhaps be ring fenced in case this happens.

Goods news, well done Metrobank. Let's hope we hear of many more refunds soon :o)

Great news and well done now lets hope everyone on here gets there money back too! :)

hi Kevin
did u use the templet chargeback letter from monysavingexpert ?

Here is an example from 2010 regarding a successful chargeback on visa debit for a bankruptcy case.

Google this = > Barclays pays out £5,430 for cancelled cruise

In addition, Visa website states:

Wherever you use Visa debit, you are fully protected. If, for example, you're unfortunate enough to book a holiday with an airline or travel agent that becomes insolvent, you'll generally get your money back.

Although it states 'generally' the wording seems promising. If it was a definite no-no they could have promoted their credit card here instead for extra security.

Martin, please could we have some clarification here. I thought the visa debit was promoted as a similar level of security as visa credit without the credit facility.

How difficult can it be to get one of the banks to make a definitive statement on this? They have all the facts at hand now. I suspect the banks maybe keeping quiet so they can drip feed the news to individuals. Don't accept this thou, keep the media involved. If visa debit does not cover then I can see its usage drop massively for online usage and new players like PayPal capitalising.

If any peeps on fb, please feel free to share info to lowcost page for others.

Thanks for that IA - good news maybe - I have copied and pasted the the info from the Visa website and for good measure printed/ pasted the actual screens. I myself am not affected but my single mum daughter is and Visa will have a TIGER MOTHER to deal with if they do not keep to their word/ publicity. I know one thing Paypal will get my vote in future provided they do as they say

You will need to be firm with Nationwide. They can put through a chargeback request, but this is likely to be rejected. Remember, a chargeback request is not like a Section 75 insurance claim.. the provider, in simple terms, asks the companies bank for the money back.. as the company is in administration this is unlikely to be honoured by their bank/the administrators. The providers that offer a 'chargeback' are offering to put through a Visa Chargeback, they are not actually saying that it would be successful as they have no control over this.

I don't think chargeback is as simple as: sorry, no money in account, bye. It will entail a much more sophisticated process. Every company that goes into administration has no money however chargeback is a valid avenue to retrieve money for customers. See quote from Visa website in my initial comment. I suspect that the banks may well be insured against these type of losses via the reinsurance markets or might just accept the loss as bad debt in order to maintain their merchant facilities for Visa, Mastercard etc etc.

Might just come down to which institution LCH actually bank with and if they can absorb the loss. Anyone aware of this?

Yes, but it varies massively as stated originally my summary was a very 'simple' view - so that people that face suffering losses realise that a chargeback is not as easy as the providers simply requesting the funds back.

Hi Chris thanks yes I am ware of this fact and that it's unlikely to be successful but what I want from nationwide is the right to try like the other banks are providing.

Be firm with them, insist that you want it logged regardless and they will log it.

Hi thanks for his. I have been on to nationwide building society all afternoon and they have refused to submit my charge back request they have told me simply to go to the administrator for my money. Now I'm pretty sure I have the right to at least try and claim via visa, no? If anyone knows how I would do this without the help of nationwide I would appreciate it.

I was able to put through a charge back claim via the disputes team at Lloyd's, also sent the template letter that was from a link on this page to back up the call.

Lloyd's have also put in a charge back claim for us with no hassle

Fingers crossed x

I have just been told that any visa chargeback claim through nationwide would definitely be rejected unless I have a letter from the administrator's telling me that I can make the claim - has anyone else had this?

Chargeback rights for services not rendered the cardholder is required to contact the administrator/bonding authority for the merchant. The Issuing bank then has to provide this information with the Chargeback in order for it to be considered valid - failure to do so will mean the Issuer loses the case and is liable

Which is impossible when there is no administrator!

Yes this is what I was told yesterday

I spoke with them on Saturday morning, charge back claim submitted there and then. try again might have been a staff member with no clue

Spoke to them 3 times William and the complaints department and I can tell you sadly you will be getting a letter telling you your charge back claim had been cancelled and you need to apply direct to LCH

Nationwide done a chargeback for me yesterday with no problem.

hi Sonja, Nationwide told me they to do not do charge back, have you recieved your money back?

Not yet but the guy I spoke to was lovely and said he'd dealt with several low cost customers and that I should be credited the money I paid except flights as they are still valid in the next 10 days. He seemed to think it wouldn't be long as there is not much investigating to be done.

I was told the same from Nationwide. I spoke to Tom about a claim I put in on Saturday and it will take 10 working days to be credited to my account. N Wide can take back the monies too!

I hope.this happens but I doubt it ad I was told the same on Saturday only to be told be several nationwide employees today that this WILL NOT be the case and all out claims have been cancelled. They only decided to do this Monday morning and that's when the staff were supposedly briefed. Whe you get your letter telling you this. Call and raise a complaint regarding the miss information you have been given, I have done this, you maybe get some compensation, won't be much but better than nothing!

I think u can go to financial ombudsman as they're supposed to raise one of u ask them to.

This is intresting as I was told no.

I've just completed a form over the telephone with Nationwide, it sounded promising but then I shouldn't get my hopes up.

I have just been on the phone to Nationwide and they said the chargeback procedure would definitely be refused so there was no point in filling out the form. I have been given an email address lowcosttravelspain@smith.williamson.co.uk to contact though...

Oh no did they give a reason why?

Just that the request would be declined in the system and the email address they gave me is useless too. I have emailed Visa to see if that helps...

Every time I get a message back from Nationwide they give me different info and are generally trying to fob me off. Their latest advice is that I can't claim chargeback because I paid using my Visa Debit card. They reckon if I'd used my credit card I could claim a chargeback. Apparently they'll raise a "Visa dispute" but I have to go through the Spanish Regulator / administrators first. This could take forever, feel like they're just fobbing us in the hope we'll give up and go away!

Nationwide have just told me to claim through the Spanish regulator / administrators. I have asked them why they are telling different customers different information!

I called my bank santander first thing Saturday morning, they were unaware of LCH going bump at that stage. They said I'd need to speak to visa and gave me contact details. A Visa robot person said the santander debit card was not covered.

I then called santander back later and they said I'll get my money back by completing a dispute form.

So a 'yes' and a 'no'... fingers crossed but don't bank on it is my advice !!

Could you let me know when you hear something from Santander as I've sent off the disclaimer form today any info would be great

Hi I'm also with Santander bank and spoke with somebody a few days ago and they are sending me out a disclaimer form in hope I will get back the money I paid for accomodation however they did say I needed a reference number and to be able to get this I had to log a claim with the smith and Williamson email address that's on the low cost holidays info page I have tried to do this but all I'm getting back is an automated email address there is nobody to actually speak with. Any info would be much appreciated thank you

Hi, yes I've emailed the administrators and just get the automated email back too

i called santander on the friday night & got the dispute form this wednesday, now it just a waiting game, problem with charge back is that theres no legal obligation unlike credit card section 75 -_- if you booked accommodation then you should have received an email that included the hotel vouchers which has the booking reference on it

Hi thank you very much for your help! I have that email that's great thanks again.

Natwest told me for charge back on my visa debit they would have to pursue LCH. Hopefully mis information?

There does not seem to be a consistent position between the banks. I find this strange as it relates to the exact same product: Visa Debit. Visa need to make a statement on this pretty quickly similar to what PayPal have done on exact implementation rules. Will be a pyrrhic victory if anyone disputes this as it will just show that their product is not credible for an online, digital era. Potentially a big win for PayPal plus other new players. I hope Martin will chase this up directly with Visa plus banks.

I'm not sure this *is* strange. Short of doing something obviously illegal, aren't the banks (including credit card companies) going to be sidling around each other, waiting to see what each other does, and trying not to give in where possible ? I'm not convinced anyway....

Hi I paid via PayPal do you think they will refund my payment

According to the latest mse update PayPal may well indeed be the safest option. I'm impressed with their approach. One working day to make a definitive statement... Still waiting for the older established players..

A spokesperson told us: "Purchasers of holidays from Lowcostholidays paid for with PayPal are indeed covered under PayPal buyer protection. They have 180 days from the date of payment to open a dispute relating to the payment."

Paypal have been absolutely useless !! They advised me to go to a small claims court and sue Lowcost holidays. I did pay over 180 days ago however paypal should have refused payment as i was not going to receive my goods within 180 days.

Hi I really hope they do pay out as I only booked the holiday 51 days before the company went bust. Is there any chance you could send me any updates or information you have about PayPal making refunds traceysyrett@yahoo.co.uk

please see lowcostclaim co uk

Hi Guys,

Right as no one is taking any responsibility for this I have decided to tackle this head on! I am out of pocket about 4k and not happy. The situation at the minute is so confusing and I think its best if we all stick together. I've created a website where you can send me your information and I will challenge each and every case. Im a practising solicitor and am going to take this to the highest level. Hearing all the stories is very upsetting and frustrating. Companies should not be allowed to get away with this. If you wish me to help you try and re-coop some money from the Spanish when visit my website and register. It will only take a few minutes. Please have a look and share. I am not settling for £7 in comp

lowcostclaim co uk

Thanks John