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Outlook on new EU rail passenger rights

The updated EU rail passenger rights will be implemented in 2023. The agreed changes are a compromise between more far-reaching demands of the EU Parliament and positions of the majority of transport ministers of the EU Council, which in turn include more national and economic interests. All in all, it is a further improvement of rail passenger rights and is on its way to be cast into national laws. Because of the #EuropanYearOfRail, we have a look into the future of rail passenger rights.

AK lawsuit against payment service Klarna

The Chamber of Labour registers countless complaints about the payment service Klarna and is now suing this Swedish bank, which grew strongly during the Corona pandemic. Klarna handles online transactions for purchases in online shops and enables payment on account. The ECC also has daily complaint calls about Klarna and is eagerly awaiting the verdict.

🚊Train journey - your rights

The EU has been regulating rail passengers' rights since 2009. You can find out which rights are guaranteed in this regulation, for example in the case of train delays or information obligations by the railway companies, as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions in our article. We updated on the occasion of the proclaimed EU "Year of Rail 2021".

Strike: Airline has to refund says ECJ

A decision by the ECJ has once again clearly strengthened air passenger rights. If a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed due to an announced strike by airline staff, passengers may have a right to compensation.

Review of 1 year of legal assistance by ECC in Corona-related consumer cases

In 2020, victims turned more than ever to the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Austria, part of the Austrian Association for Consumer Information (VKI). We used this year's World Consumer Day (15 March) as an opportunity to take a retrospective look at our counselling activities in one year of Corona.

Brexit - travellers and consumers

In the referendum on 23 June 2016, 52 percent of Britons voted in favour of Brexit. On 24 December, the EU and the UK concluded a far-reaching trade and partnership agreement. What are the consequences for consumers in Europe? Here are some hints about the changes from the perspective of travellers and consumers

Skiing and Corona - what are the rules in the Alpine countries?

Finally, a winter with good snow and the semester break is upon us! But the pandemic is putting the brakes on the desire to travel and bringing the ski circus to a standstill in many places. Yet the restrictions in Austria are relatively low compared to other countries. Unless you want to come skiing from abroad.

Worldwide travel warning except for 10 countries

As of midnight tonight, i.e. as of 00:00 on 19.12.2020, a travel warning issued by the Austrian Foreign Ministry applies to practically the entire world. 10 states are exempt from this. What does this mean for a planned trip for the holidays?

Parship loses lawsuit over excessive subscription revocation

Those who want to find new life partners through Parship could be confronted with high costs as soon as they change their mind and only use the service for a short time. European Court of Justice declares offsetting practice invalid.

Hardly any money back on flight bookings

Refunds through booking platforms are particularly difficult. Those who have booked flights with intermediaries such as Opodo, Expedia & Co that were cancelled due to the pandemic are having a hard time getting their money back. Enquiries are piling up at arbitration offices and consumer protection agencies.

Level Europe is bankrupt

Insolvency of low cost airline  - The airline Level Europe GmbH, active in the highly competitive market of low-cost airlines in Austria, has stopped operating with immediate effect.

European Order for Payment Procedure

The European order for payment procedure simplifies the process of litigation in cross-border cases for consumers. It was established on 12.12.2008 in all EU Member States, except for Denmark.

Safer Streaming

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the market for streaming services was in a solid growth process. The lockdown measures to contain COVID-19 have boosted demand even further, with leading streaming services even agreeing to reduce the video quality of streams at the request of the EU Commission to free up bandwidth for more important services. Even though the first rush of new customers to the streaming platforms has already slowed down somewhat, the increased demand in the area of video streaming has also led to an increased number of consumers who have fallen for fraudulent offers. Many consumers do not notice if they have signed up for a dubious streaming service. The rude awakening often comes a few days later when letters arrive from lawyers or debt collection agencies demanding several hundred euros for allegedly completed annual memberships. Due to the numerous requests for help from injured parties, the European Consumer Centre Austria (ECC) has now compiled information for consumers on the subject of video streaming.

ECJ ruling against misleading air fares

Clarity about ancillary costs of airline tickets was sued for in Italy by consumer advocates. Ryanair must clearly display ancillary costs for airline tickets, the European Court of Justice has ruled.

Government cancels all events

The Coronavirus paralyses public life in spring to Easter. A public event ban was issued by the Austrian Government.

Fraud traps in social media

Consumers often fall prey to psychological stimuli that cause them to act impulsively and rashly. Read here about scams on social media and the new CPC Regulation, which improves the warning system and enforcement of consumer offences in the EU.

Coronavirus in China

The Coronavirus ravages a Chinese province and the media is full of that. What does it mean for your rights of withdrawal in package tours?

Trivago convicted for deceiving consumers

Room price manipulation in Australia: On the comparison platform Trivago, Australian customers were not suggested the cheapest hotel rooms but search results with the highest profits were issued for the platform.

Gift vouchers in Europe

Gift vouchers are popular and have certainly landed under the Christmas tree for many. In the meantime, they do not even stop at national borders within the EU. But are gift vouchers even allowed to be bought and redeemed in another EU country? When do they expire? The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) provides information.

Transit plates in the EU

If you bought a new car in a foreign EU Member State and want to transit it to your home country, you need a transit plate. The ECC-Net gathered all necessary information about national regulations in a new brochure.

Thomas Cook insolvent

Information for holidaymakers on the Thomas Cook bankruptcy. In this news story can read up on tangible instructions about how to best to proceed, if you have prepaid a part or the full cost of your planned trip.

Warning against Aliaz Cooperation SIA

A dubious supplier of sexual enhancers (Horsepower) is luring customers into subscription traps. Unwanted deliveries are repeatedly sent to people who have agreed to a free trial or single delivery. Surprising bills and demands from debt collection agencies promptly follow.

FAQ Thomas Cook

The Thomas Cook concern comprises various companies in various countries. Not all of them are insolvent. We answer the most frequent questions about the current situation. 

Flight booking: Opodo Prime

Opodo is an online intermediary for flights, hotels, rental cars and package travels, situated in England and Spain. We are currently receiving a lot of complaints about the company, regarding non-transparent pricing on the German website.

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