Brian Taylor
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Hi Ruth
I’ve moved your query into the section about new contracts – already quite a bit written if you scroll through the comments.
Anfi are adding an underlying week / apartment to floating and points contracts. A few other changes – see Richards post above and other comments.
We didn’t know Anfi were sending these out without discussion with owners first – they have been contacting people when out there, and Pam & I went into customer services in February, and then had contract docs sent through to review at home.
Regards, Brian
Further to Richard’s post about possible voucher and refund options for “lost” weeks (this link) I have emailed all members today to seek views with a link to a very short survey form – we’ve asked for replies by Thursday evening as Richard needs a guide on members views for Friday.
If you haven’t seen the email please check as it will go the the primary email address you have registered on the system – some people use work addresses, some their partners.
I’ve had nearly 50 replies in the first hour (thank you!) and will update members on the overall result after the survey is closed.
I’ve also had some emails with queries about points balances and whether Anfi could extend validity of the roll over of points. I’ll update the Forum with what we know once the survey is completed.
Regards, Brian
The Canary News has published a map showing the spread of the coronavirus, in the islands. Though the article is dated 7th May the charts show info right up to date and is updated daily, and show the daily change in infections. Link for desktop and mobile – useful info though text is in Spanish
The Canary News also reported the islands had 5 days without any deaths up to Saturday, though there have sadly been deaths since. More graphs and info on the report.
Brian
quick update on point 1) ref Anfi opening – my colleague has confirmed that the challenge for Anfi is whether there will be a 14 day ‘confined to room’ rule. Anfi don’t want to reopen until pools and common areas can be used.
Regards, Brian
Hi Luigi
Good questions, which are answered in part in other posts, in summary from what we know right now for a July visit:-
1 We haven’t heard when Anfi will re-open, my committee colleagues who are on the Anfi management committees are in touch with Anfi to get latest news. I’ve just checked Anfi’s members area and no news on there either.
2 even when they do re-open the issue of what services are open remains, as currently hotels in the Canary Islands have just been allowed to re-open but must keep pools and communal areas closed.
3 regarding flight out – Spain does not currently allow international (tourist) flights to land – they have just opened up 5 airports in Spain including Las Palmas but international flights will be later in the re-opening sequence and are likely to be certain corridors or EU countries, then Schengen area, before UK.
4 regarding quarantine –
– I haven’t seen definitive info but suspect the 14 day Spanish quarantine will prevent you leaving until end of quarantine. The measures may not be extended through July -we just don’t know yet.
– at the British end you will also have a 14 day quarantine unless the UK government lifts the recent restrictions.
(on radio interview today Michael O’Leary of Ryanair sounded bullish about the chances of reduced restriction, but nothing from government to support this)
– currently 7 day trip doesn’t sound too likely to be practicable but we need to keep watching developments.5- ref flights and refund
– if Ryanair do fly in July but you decide not to go because of quarantine etc, then very unlikely you’d get refund or voucher from Ryanair. You may be able to claim on your holiday insurance.
– if they don’t fly they will offer a voucher or, if you press, a refund (you are entitled to a refund under UK consumer law) – but Michael O’Leary was on radio a few days ago saying it would take months to process refunds because of the numbers and reduced staff in office and Ryanair seems to be stringing this out for as long as they can – perhaps the government agencies will enforce more rapid refund as under consumer law it ought to be 14 days.Hope that helps and I’m sure more info will come through in the coming weeks
Kind regards, Brian
Another step forward for Norwegian Air reported in Travel Weekly
Norwegian is still heavily indebted. Good news for UK is Gatwick is seen as key ongoing route. Going forwards Norwegian will be mainly owned by its aircraft leasing companies and bondholders.
Most of fleet will remain grounded for at least a year and then cut by a third. Norwegian has ended contracts for 4,700 pilots and crew (40% of workforce)Key points:-
Norwegian Air appears on course to secure additional funds after reporting a new share offering has been vastly oversubscribed. Norwegian offered 400 million shares priced at NOK 1 per share this week and reported applications for 2.8 billion when the offer closed on Thursday, May 14.
The issue should see Norwegian secure NOK400 million (€36 million) in payments next week. This will add to the NOK3 billion (£240 million) in loans guaranteed by the Norwegian government which the carrier is due to secure next week following agreements with, and a takeover by, aircraft leasing companies and existing bondholders.
The financial restructuring of the airline has eliminated a proportion of the carrier’s debt but wiped out existing shareholders. That left the leasing companies owning 53% of the airline and bondholders 42%, with just 5% shared between existing and new shareholders.
Norwegian is still heavily in debt, having begun the year with debts in excess of €6 billion.
Norwegian has said most of its fleet will remain grounded for at least a year and be cut by one third once the crisis is over.
The carrier intends to refocus on its most profitable routes, including from London Gatwick.
Norwegian declared four of its Scandinavian subsidiaries bankrupt in April and terminated the contracts of 4,700 pilots and cabin crew, more than 40% of its workforce.
Also yesterday the Spanish Transport ministry announced opening of 5 airports including Las Palmas – article in Canary News
Key points:-
An order published on Friday 15th May from the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, has designated just five airports through which travellers from outside Spain may now enter the country.
These are: Gran Canaria (Las Palmas); Josep Tarradellas Barcelona -El Prat; Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas; Málaga -Costa del Sol; and Palma de Mallorca. The order takes effect this Saturday May 16 and will be remain in force until at least May 24.The sea ports designated as the only points of entry are Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Barcelona, Bilbao, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Valencia and Vigo.
Quarantine measures for passengers from abroad must be established for a minimum of 14 days. All travellers into the country will be required to stay at their homes or hotels for the entirety of two-week period announced earlier this week.
and a further article from Gran Canaria info about travel to Gran Canaria
Covers travel within the islands, from Spain, the EU, and international.
The conclusion regarding UK is:-
“The working assumption in the Canary Islands is that there will be few international tourists visiting the Canary Islands in 2020. Setting up tracking apps will take time and even if a vaccine or effective treatment emerges it will not be manufactured fast enough to save the 2020 winter season. At best, the Islands could get 20-30% of the normal number of tourists in the last months of 2020.
Travel from the UK to Gran Canaria in 2020 – the situation with Great Britain is further complicated by the ongoing Brexit process. If the EU keeps it external borders closed, British tourists would not be allowed to fly to the Canary Islands after the UK leaves the EU.”
A useful short article from Gran Canaria info about the Phase one of lockdown de-escalation in Gran Canaria which started last Monday (11th May)
Key points:-
Gran Canaria and all of the Canary Islands are amongst the areas of Spain allowed to move into Phase One thanks to low and declining Coronavirus case levels.
Bars, cafes and restaurants with outside tables reopened at 50% of their capacity with two metres between tables. Toilets are open but only one person may use them at a time.
Groups of up to 10 people can also meet in public places and restaurants (while maintaining safe distances) and small shops can reopen.
Shops under 400 square metres in area are allowed to open with a limit of 30% of their standard maximum capacity. Shops (and restaurants, bars, etc) within shopping centres are not allowed to open yet.
The time bands used to separate children from the elderly during Phase Zero remain in place but only for exercise.
Outdoor sporting venues can now reopen for limited activities.
Churches can reopen at 30% of capacity.
Gran Canaria residents are also allowed to travel to their second or holiday homes during Phase One but only within the island.
Street markets can reopen but only with 25% of their normal number of stalls.
Hotels can also reopen but their communal areas, such as buffet areas and swimming pools, must remain closed.
Hi Bev
In answer to query about whether Anfi can make you sign – as far as we know they can’t. There aren’t any legal processes that Anfi can follow that we know of or anyone has reported.
As David has replied they may try to encourage you to sign., but you don’t have to.
The situation for fixed week owners is different as David mentioned Anfi seem to be linking the offer of vouchers to let the owner use the week next year, to the signing of an updated contract. Pam & I have had an email about our fixed week and it doesn’t definitely state the offer is linked though implies it – I’m not that bothered as long as contract terms reasonable as week is resale so I don’t think I lose anything.There are one or two other points you raised about adding children etc which I’ll reply to separately as there are pro’s and con’s
I have contracts to review from Anfi for my Gran Anfi points and for my resale floating Monte week – my incentive here is to get the resale week into AVC weeks, which I’m inclined to do unless I find any onerous terms left in. The contract documents are quite a pack and I haven’t had time to read thoroughly yet.
Kind regards, Brian
A recent article on Sky News refers to information from Spanish Foreign Ministry sources via Reuters – this link
Sounds as if travel from UK will be later in the reopening sequence. Potentially our Anfi UK members in EU bloc countries may be able to go to Anfi before those of us in the UK can.
Main points from the article:-- Spain is hoping to reopen borders to some countries early July. The UK may have extended wait.
- Initially opening may be to Schengen areas (26 countries)
- Some other European countries are looking to trial staggered re-openings
- Spain currently has a 14 day quarantine for incoming travellers – this is due to end at the end of May but could be extended.
- Spain is looking at options for allowing foreign travel – including “sanitary corridors” or “medical testing requirements”. Sanitary corridors could see special opening for people from Germany or other countries where tourists usually travel from.
- 12% of Spanish GDP is from tourism and as Roger mentioned above a number of the islands are very dependent on tourist income.
- The EU is encouraging countries in the EU to return to free movement. The EU is encouraging domestic and intra-EU tourism, travel outside the bloc could see further disruption.
The EU is proposing social distancing on cruises and public transport., and that airlines and airports to insist that passengers wear masks and alter check in and drop off procedures to limit crowds.
Until a vaccine or treatment is available the needs and benefits of tourism need to be weighed against facilitating the spread of the virus.
Hi Bev
Are your contracts a mix of points and floating? – as you mention both. And are your floating weeks bought direct or resale?
If you can confirm it is easier to answer your queries.Regards, Brian
Hi
translation via Google (slightly amiss wording wise in parts) for anyone who needs it is:-
“The Treasury withholds more than 600,000 euros from the European leader of ‘timesharing’ to settle its debts with former clients
The Anfi Group will not receive a single euro from the refund of the 2018 Corporation Tax. The Tax Agency allocates that money to meet the requirements of the courts to execute the sentences accumulated by the tourist emporium
The largest company in Europe in the tourism business of the timeshare ( timesharing ), the Anfi Group, based in the island of Gran Canaria, the last statement of the Corporate Tax corresponding to 2018, he goes to return. Specifically, more than 600,000 euros of which, however, will not receive a single one. The Tax Agency has ordered to withhold the return of that amount to be used to settle debts that it maintains with former clients by virtue of the judicial sentences that have condemned the irregular practices of the group founded in the eighties by the Norwegian businessman Björn Lyng in the sale of the products of use by turns of buildings of tourist use.
More than half of that figure, approximately 350,000 euros, will help 22 former clients of the Anfi group represented by the Canarian Legal Alliance (CLA), the most active law firm in this type of legal proceedings, to recover their investment. To this retention we must add another recent embargo from the courts, in this case of 47,000 euros.
According to the law firm located in the tourist town of Arguineguín, the group’s timesharing companies , Anfi Sales and Anfi Resorts, have already had to pay nearly 80,000 euros in the last month in execution of sentences, while they are waiting of the processing of payment of previous notifications for a value of around 100,000 euros. The withholding of the Treasury and the latest embargoes therefore total close to 600,000 euros. At the end of last year, CLA recorded more than one hundred firm judgments from the Supreme Court against the tourist emporium for irregularities in the sale of timeshare products for an estimated value of 2.5 million euros. The resolutions that were still appealable raised that figure to 8.
Anfi’s clients’ race to recoup their investment has been fraught with obstacles. The company has refused to voluntarily pay the amounts collected in the court convictions. In addition, the two main companies in the group have emptied their current accounts since the cascade of judicial decisions against them began , thus preventing the plaintiffs from collecting through the embargoes by way of enforcement.
The Las Palmas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office filed a complaint in July last year against Anfi for hiding his assets to avoid foreclosures in the enforcement proceedings. The Public Ministry has been investigating the company for more than a year, following two separate briefs submitted by lawyers Eva Gutiérrez, of CLA, and Miguel Rodríguez Ceballos, of the firm Ceballos and Navarro, for the alleged crimes of lifting assets, insolvency punishable and frustration in the execution, all of them linked to those maneuvers that, according to the complainants, the group has orchestrated to delay or avoid payments to their former clients.
The company’s wealth information reveals that the two group companies dedicated to the commercialization of this type of product, Anfi Sales and Anfi Resorts, began to close and empty their accounts shortly after the Supreme Court ruled in early 2015 their first final judgment on the matter, which overturned the sale for life of the weekly use rights of tourist establishments, the practice on which its commercial policy had been based, for contravening Law 42/1998, which established a period maximum of 50 years.
At the end of 2014, the balance in the current accounts of these two Anfi companies exceeded 13 million euros. In just three years, and without the former clients having still been able to recover the amounts recognized through the courts, 96% of that balance had disappeared. Between 2016 and 2017 more than 6 million euros came out of these accounts with an unknown destination. The law firms that represent consumers assure that during this period the company has not justified in its annual reports a decrease in activity that explains the drastic loss of funds that has prevented its clients from being charged.
The Supreme Court has annulled hundreds of Anfi’s timeshare contracts for three main reasons: the sale of rights for life; the collection of advances during the so-called reflection period, the ten days after the signature or three months in the event that the information provided is not sufficient, and the marketing of the “floating weeks”, a formula that has caused numerous setbacks to consumers in relation to the availability of the contracted apartments.
The Anfi Group, founded in the municipality of Mogán in the late eighties by the late Björn Lyng, is currently owned by the Santana Cazorla group and Ifa Hotels, the latter division which acquired in September 2016 50% of the shares that belonged to the heirs of the Norwegian businessman.”
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An article in the Canary News on Friday about digital health certificates and pilot use in Canary Islands. See link below and extracts from the article.
“The Canary Islands have, this Friday evening, been announced as the tourist destination selected to receive the very first pilot flight to carry passengers monitored by what is being promoted as “a secure health application” called Hi+Card intended to certify card holders as being “free of Covid-19”.
The Director General of the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili this afternoon confirmed the decision in a call to the Tourism Minister of the Canary Islands Government, Yaiza Castilla, who thanked him for the “great news” which forms part of a collaboration initiated between both institutions to share and develop measures that support tourism industry recovery in the Canary Islands as a safe destination………………………
………………This pioneering flight, the first of its kind in the world, is scheduled to take place in July, and passengers using the application, will carry a unique digital profile on their smartphones, where a Ministry of Health accredited healthcare organisation, will upload medical information. “This is to avoid the possibility of false profiles being created or medical records being manipulated” explained Antonio López de Ávila, co-founder of hi+Card and CEO of TDDS. Users will request these entities to directly store the information, which is encrypted and securely stored, in their official profiles…….
…………. Health iCard
hi+Card is one of the solutions that the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is supporting, it is a project that has come directly from the collaboration between global experts in innovation and tech for the travel & tourism industry, and Smart Tourism Destinations innovators, TDDS, and The Air Institute, who promote and develop scientific research in the field of computer science and artificial intelligence, a project supported by the Spanish government and now by the Government of the Canary Islands all of whom have committed to work together to assist the recovery of tourism in Spain and around the world.
the article Niels refers to in eldario.es is on this link
(in Spanish but translates in Google Chrome)and some further articles on timesharing including another 2 on Anfi – https://www.eldiario.es/temas/timesharing/
Some hopeful news on Norwegian Air refinancing and also for Gatwick where Norwegian is the 3rd largest carrier – even more important after the BA and Virgin news about Gatwick.
Apart from when the island and Anfi can open up many members will no doubt be wondering about travel and airlines. In case you missed it the BBC published an article today, including the issues around social distancing in airports, security, in flight & load factors, quarantine etc
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52441652Clearly no conclusion is possible at this stage, though gives an insight into the many factors involved.
Another article quoted leaders in some EU countries talking about possible “travel corridors” between countries.
IATA are quoted as saying:-
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The real problem, executives say, is the number of different countries that have introduced travel restrictions, and the lack of certainty over when those restrictions will be removed.“What we are trying to do is have a global restart plan,” explains Alexandre de Juniac, director general of the International Air Transport Association. “The main challenge is how and when the different states will lift restrictions to travel.”
He believes curbs on travel will clearly last beyond the middle of the year, and some may remain at least partially in force until the end of 2020.
He thinks domestic routes within individual countries will open up first, followed by short-haul international services. Intercontinental travel would probably follow after that, although he admits “that is a point we haven’t resolved yet”.
One area causing a great deal of uncertainty is the extent to which social distancing will be required when regular flying resumes.
————————————————–I found quite a useful site pulling together updates from official resources
https://covid19.omnicompr.es/en
and it includes a more summarised update of the recent Spanish announcement
• The de-escalation will be gradual, asymmetric (depending on the territories) and coordinated.
• The basic territorial unit for de-escalation will be the province and the island.
• There will be no inter-provincial mobility until the new normality is reached, that is, until we reach the end of phase 3, which if all goes well it will be at the end of June.
• For the elaboration of the plan, the best international practices have been analyzed, the opinion of experts on different matters (health, social, economic, etc.) has been gathered, meetings have been held with the different Public Administrations, with the private sector, with unions and with civil society.
Highlights of the Plan for the transition to the new normality
• It will have 4 phases
• It will have a minimum duration of 6 weeks and a maximum of 8 weeks, if everything goes according to plan, that is, as long as the objectives and criteria established by the markers are achieved, which are:
o Capacity of the health system (primary Care system and ICU beds)
o Epidemiological situation
o Implementation of protection measures
o Mobility and socioeconomic data
• The criteria will be evaluated biweekly by the Ministry of Health.
Phase 0: From May 4 all the provinces, with the exception of Formentera, Hierro, Gomera and Graciosa that start directly in phase 1.
Some of the activities that will be allowed in this phase:
– opening by appointment for individual attention. For example, restaurants for food delivery.
– Start of individual training for professional athletes.
– Signaling and preparation of public premises will be intensified.
Phase 1. Partial start of activities. It would start on May 11 if all the provinces meet the established requirements.
– Opening of small retail trade. Not the big shopping malls.
– Restaurants and bars terraces at 30% occupancy.
– Opening of hotels, except common areas.
– Preferential hours for those over 65 years in retail stores.
– A third of occupation in places of religious worship.
– Opening of high performance sports centers. Average training in professional athletes.
– It will be highly recommended to use masks on public transport.
Phase 2
– A third of capacity inside the restaurants, maintaining the separation and only table service.
– The school year will start in September, but the educational centers will be opened with reinforcement activities. Children whose parents work both onsite jobs may attend. And also to do the EBAU.
– Start hunting and sport fishing.
– A third of occupation in cinemas, theaters, visits to monuments, exhibition halls, etc.
– Cultural events of less than 50 people indoors.
– Acts of less than 400 people if they are seated and outdoors.
– Half of occupation in places of religious worship.
Phase 3
– Mobility flexibility using a mask.
– In restoration, seating restrictions will be somewhat more limited, but with strict separation between the public.
– 50% capacity in commercial areas
– Opening of beaches
You may have heard that the Spanish Prime Minister held a press conference yesterday and announced the 4 phases to ease the lock down – there are versions online though this link gives an English version with some comment. The steps announced are as copied below:-
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez held a press conference on Tuesday evening to explain his government’s plans for the deescalation of coronavirus confinement measures in Spain. These include ongoing mobility limits until the deescalation is over, potentially at the end of June, meaning people will, for now, still not be able to visit family members or their second residences if they are in another province.Sánchez began by expressing his sorrow for the loss to Spanish society of the victims of the coronavirus, before explaining how Spain had managed to “flatten the curve of the spread of the epidemic.”
“The ‘Plan for the Transition Toward a New Normality,’ on which we have been working for nearly a month, was today approved by the Cabinet,” he continued. “We have taken into account the lessons from other places, but adapting them to the diversity and the reality of our country.”The prime minister stated that the “only objective of this deescalation plan is to activate Spain protecting the health and lives of Spaniards.”
The de-escalation would be, he continued, “gradual, asymmetrical – according to regions – and coordinated.” He committed to paying proper tribute to the victims of the coronavirus – officially 23,822, according to the latest figures – when the pandemic is defeated.
“There will be no mobility between provinces or islands until normality returns,” he explained, adding that there would be four phases, but with no set dates so as to be flexible according to the situation.
Phase 0, he said, will begin on May 4, and will involve the reopening of small businesses such as restaurants that can offer food to take away, and places that can take bookings. This will include establishments such as hardware stores, government sources cited as an example. Customers would have to call and make an appointment to be able to buy a particular product. Only one customer would be permitted in the premises at a time and would be served by a sales clerk behind a screen or a counter.
This phase will also include the reopening of hairdressers, albeit with employees using the “maximum level of individual protection,” the same sources said, such as masks and gloves.
Individual classes will also be allowed in gyms, as well as individual training for federated sports players and professional leagues.
Phase 1, the prime minister continued, would “allow in each defined territory the partial reopening of small businesses under strict safety measures, but not large shopping malls, where big crowds could form.”
He added that this also included the opening of hotels and tourist apartments, not including common areas. Cafés and restaurants will also be able to open their outdoor sidewalk sections under this phase, at 30% of capacity, but entry inside will not be permitted.
Mobility within a province will also be permitted under Phase 1. This means that if the first phase lasts the time expected, people could begin to visit friends and family within the same province from May 11 at the earliest.
There will be a “timetable for the over-65s” to shop in retail establishments, he added, given that they are an at-risk group from the Covid-19 disease, while the use of masks on public transport “will be highly recommended.”
Religious sites such as churches will be able to open in phase 1, with a limit of 30% of their capacity, the prime minister said.
By the end of June, as a country we will be in the new normality if the evolution of the epidemic is under control in all territories
Phase 2, meanwhile, will see hostelry establishments able to open their dining areas, at a third of their capacity. As for schools, they will not fully reopen until September, but Sánchez explained that they would offer a guarantee that children aged under six can attend classes if their parents have to go to work, and so that students can complete their university application processes and exams.
Sports players will also have fewer restrictions under Phase 2.
“Cultural events will be possible with fewer than 50 people in interior spaces, and for open-air events, there will have to be 400 people or fewer, and they will have to be seated,” Sánchez explained.
Cinemas and theatres will also reopen under Phase 2, with a third of their capacity allowed to enter and assigned seating.
Phase 3 will be “the advanced phase,” he continued, “once the required markers have been met,” with cinemas and theaters allowing 50% of their capacity to enter, for example. “General mobility will be relaxed,” he added, and it will still be recommendable to wear masks on public transport.
Under Phase 3, the capacity of stores and other public-facing businesses will be limited to 50%, with an inter-personal distance of two meters. Restrictions will be further relaxed for bars and restaurants.
Each phase will last at least two weeks, he said, which is the incubation period of the coronavirus, and in the best-case scenario, the process will last eight weeks in all of Spain.
“By the end of June, as a country we will be in the new normality if the evolution of the epidemic is under control in all territories,” he said. “This weekend individual physical activity [for adults] will be allowed, as will walks.
On May 4, all territories will enter Phase 0, and given the low number of infections and if the progress allows for it, Formentera, the Balearics, Gomera, El Hierro and Graciosa in the Canary Islands will enter Phase 1 shortly after.“On May 11, all of the provinces that meet the requisites will enter Phase 1, and the Health Ministry will evaluate the markers on a two-weekly basis.
“There is no closed and uniform calendar, and we will advance in each place as quickly as the epidemic permits,” he said. “When we conclude the deescalation we can say that each province has reached a situation of new normality until a vaccine arrives.”
Home-working will be preferable until at least reaching Phase 3, he added.
The markers the prime minister referred to will be “the capacity of the country’s health systems, the epidemiological situation in each area, protection measures in the workplace, business and public transport, and mobility and socioeconomic data.” These markers would be public, he added, “and transparent.”
The prime minister made clear that it would be the central Health Ministry, and not Spain’s regional governments, who would be deciding on the speed of deescalation in each province, despite the latter calling for such powers. “If we have to choose between prudence and risk, we opt for prudence,” he stated.
The virus, the prime minister said, “has not gone anywhere. It is still there lurking. With our behavior, we can save lives. We can protect our lives and help to rebuild our country. That is, right now, the best kind of patriotism.”
The four rules of the deescalation, Sánchez explained, were “a gradual, asymmetrical, coordinated and adaptable approach.” “The adaptability is because we don’t know what we are facing. Science still doesn’t know a lot of things about this virus. As such, we are facing something that we don’t know, and that is why we have to be cautious.”
Movement between provinces had to be restricted, Sánchez explained, to avoid the spread of the virus from area to area. “Imagine that one province is in Phase 1 and another in Phase 3,” he said. “Mobility cannot be permitted to go and meet with a relative or friend.” Mobility between provinces would return “when we reach the phase of the new normality,” he added – i.e. when the deescalation is over.
Sánchez also explained that another two-week extension to the state of alarm that was implemented on March 14 would be requested in Congress. The current period is due to expire on May 9.
Hi Moira
I’m sorry to hear your partner can’t travel any longer. We believe Anfi still take back contracts if you wish to simply hand back to “get out”, but Anfi are very unlikely to buy back a floating week contract from you. You can always ask of course!
Or you could try to sell to a third party though clearly, right now, interest in sales is low (we do have two in progress for members but they started before coronavirus started up). The market value of floating week contracts is quite low.Contract-wise Anfi are encouraging owners to “update” their contracts and where you have points, or a floating week, Anfi add an underlying week in the contract and you will receive a substantial pack of contract documents to read and sign. I’m still working through the one Pam & I got last month.
As Wolfgang and Terry mention above there are other changes in the contract (originally Anfi had some fairly onerous terms added though appear to have removed these now) – Terry mentioned Anfi may have amended the new contract to try to reduce your rights to claim, and also by adding underlying week that removes one of the “causes” of illegal contracts.
Some members have taken out claims against Anfi using a Spanish law firm called JLCA where the club agreed terms for members, a few others have used other claims companies – the legal process has proved a long process and requires attendance at court hearings. Some claims are complete and most are at some stage of appeal (by Anfi).
Hope that helps but anything else please just ask
Regards, Brian
Hi Eric
In addition to Roger’s reply and on the issue of the fee, and your query on private purchase versus direct – for points owners the same fee applies – the current situation lock-down apart, is if I book via my points I have 14 days to change “free” and after that there is a change fee of €40, so in this case Anfi are not treating your private week any different to a direct points owner.
(points owners can bank points from current year into next year, whereas resale floating week owners can’t).As John suggested if Anfi would let you re-book into next year that would be great – I too have a Monte floating week bought resale (currently booked for September). I had not expected Anfi to let me re-book this into 2021 as they will simply not have capacity to do this for anything other than a small proportion of owners and Anfi have to keep availability for owners expecting to be able to book next year.
We also need to remember that some contracts have an 18 month booking window and no doubt some of those lucky enough to have those contracts will be moving there bookings to any availability next year.
Kind regards, Brian
This may not be the time you are thinking of booking a flight! – but Easyjet have just released flights from late October – whilst we don’t know where things will be travel wise by then, or how airlines will be, there are some great deals if you are thinking of booking. I’ve copied the email from Easyjet below. The offer prices currently run to 24th March.
I booked using credit card for extra protection. My November return flight with luggage and speedy boarding for Pam & I is €140 – whereas my existing outbound flight in October is £400.Even the school holiday dates are low cost.
I would emphasise no one can know whether there will be any “normality” by then and it is quite possible in my view that there may be some form of social contact limitation through the summer.
In my case I’d already booked to go out, so I have little to lose by booking a low cost return.
Regards, Brian
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Easyjet email 18th March 2020
Due to the unprecedented circumstances, we’re launching our winter schedule early so that if you have an existing booking you can change to a flight for travel up until February 2021.
We’ve waived our change fees until further notice, so you can currently amend the date and/or destination of your existing flight booking for free. The quickest and easiest way to do this is via Manage Bookings on our website. We’ve also got a dedicated Customer Service number to support those wanting to change existing bookings: 0330 365 5030.
Until midnight on Tuesday 24/3/20, fares for our flights from 25th October 2020 – 28th February 2021 will be available at or below £29.99 one way per person.
These fares are available on our website to book now.easyJet holidays for the winter 20/21 season will be available to book tomorrow.
We’re doing all we can to support our customers during these uncertain times and we thank you for your continued custom.
In these difficult times and as members would expect, and in view of the recent government guidance, we are deferring our meeting in Scotland. We will review meeting plans once the current restrictions are lifted.
Your committee will still be meeting using tele/video conference.
We did wonder if our Scottish members would see any value is a short teleconference instead of the physical meeting in April & if so we could choose another day / time to suit the majority. We will be emailing about this but any initial feedback is welcome.
Regards, Brian
Hi Robert
I’m sorry to hear about your week and many members will also have bookings for the next few months. Some members were at Anfi when the restrictions came into force.
May is traditionally a popular UK week and Pam was due out in May, along with some of our other members, so is in similar situation to you.
In terms of the cost of the week and travel insurance Roger had commented on this on his initial post and I’ve copied his comment below, and would summarise/add:-- Assuming you have fixed week(s) it is really a case of whether your travel insurance covers timeshare or excludes it. (I haven’t had a chance to look at my insurance yet!)
- if you have rented the week from another owner then the travel insurance cover ought to be similar to any other holiday rental
and for completeness:-
- for anyone on points AVC current T&C’s allow you to change the week up to 15 days before for a €40 fee
- floating weeks is less clear regarding Anfi and rebooking
[Roger has asked Anfi to clarify situation regarding points and floating week owners. We will update as soon as we hear more.]
It would be useful to hear outcome of insurance claims from your own case and from other members.
Best wishes, Brian
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I have requested an official statement from Anfi regarding the situation and whether members with bookings made using points or floating weeks will be able to book free for another date.
The position with fixed weeks is more uncertain and you are advised to check your travel insurance. Some cover timeshares, and you will be able to claim maintenance fees as if they were rent or a hotel booking, others exclude them.that’s a very good point and reminds me that all of us who have apartments booked in the next or coming weeks should let Anfi know if they are sure they can’t go to Anfi – so Anfi know which apartments are not going to be used.
Whilst Anfi can guess, I’m sure it will help if we can give them firm information if we can’t travel. The travel bans are quite clear right now but may be less so as time goes by.I’ve read from one or two people at Anfi who had help from Customer Services whilst their return flight was being rearranged.
Members who booked via points will know that they can cancel up to 15 days before the arrival date by letting AVC know – there is small fee but the points are given back.
