Holidaymakers who have had their trips cancelled due to the pandemic have been told they may have to wait months for a refund - despite a 14-day money back rule.
Ryanair says it won't be processing refunds until after lockdown measures have eased - while 10 other major firms, including Tui and easyJet, are urging customers to settle for credit notes instead.
But what are your rights if you've been handed a credit note for a holiday and can you later swap it for your money back?
More importantly, what's the difference between a 'credit note' and a 'voucher'?
The law states that if your package holiday is cancelled, you are entitled to a full cash refund within 14 days.
Alternative options include a credit note or change of date - and many firms are pushing these heavily right now.
This is because in many cases, the money has now been passed over to the hotel or airline - and it has to claim this back before it can process your refund.
And unfortunately, because of the high volume of claims right now, this means there are huge delays on processing times.
Travel firms have also warned that paying out of their own pockets could result in them going bust.
Thankfully you do have rights - even if you've been lumbered with a credit note against your will.
"We would strongly encourage customers to talk to their travel company to discuss alternative travel arrangements," travel association Abta explains.
"Where no suitable alternative is possible, your travel company may offer you a refund of the money you paid depending on the terms and conditions of your booking and depending on whether or not you booked a package holiday.
"If you booked a package holiday, you are entitled to a refund. We completely understand that for those customers that would prefer a refund to rebooking, they may feel frustrated and concerned by the amount of time it is taking.
"In normal circumstances a refund should be paid within 14 days. But these are not normal circumstances and the 14 day rule is simply impossible for many companies to adhere to."
Should I accept a credit note - and what will it mean if the company goes bust?
If you are not able to amend your holiday to another date, your travel provider might offer you a Refund Credit Note (RCN) instead of an immediate cash refund.
A credit note can be used to rearrange a holiday at a later date, and, providing your original booking was ABTA or ATOL protected, you'll also be protected if the company later collapses.
Refund Credit Notes may look different depending on your travel provider, but they should all comprise the following:
An expiry date, which is the date to which your money is protected, and is based on your travel company’s financial protection arrangements. You are entitled to re-book or have a cash refund by this date at the latest.
The value of the Refund Credit Note must be equal in value to the amount you paid for the original booking (or less the amount your travel provider has offered you as a part cash refund).
The Refund Credit Note must include the original booking details and reference.
How long do I have to swap it for a cash refund?
A credit note preserves your right to a cash refund, and you have until the expiry date on the face of it to swap it for a full refund.
This must be done via the company you booked with - such as Tui or Ryanair.
If your travel provider is refusing to co-operate with these rules, you can report it to Abta. It says it will take disciplinary action against any member who breaks the rules.
Are credit notes the same as vouchers?
No. A holiday voucher is different to a Refund Credit Note. Holiday vouchers, gift vouchers and other discount vouchers are not protected by the schemes of financial protection.
Your Refund Credit Note should include an expiry date which is based on your travel company’s financial protection arrangements, or a date sooner than this.
