The Court of Appeal has confirmed that consumers who use their credit cards to purchase goods abroad will be protected by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in the same way as they are if they purchase goods in the UK.

This means that if the merchant selling the goods is in breach of contract or misrepresents them in any way, the credit card company is required to compensate the customer.

This will apply when:

• a consumer uses a UK credit card to buy goods while abroad;
• a consumer orders goods from a foreign supplier while abroad for delivery into the UK;
• a consumer in the UK buys goods by telephone, mail order or over the Internet which are delivered to a UK address from overseas; or
• there are face-to-face pre-contract dealings with a foreign supplier who is temporarily in the UK, or with a UK agent of a foreign supplier, but the contract is not completed in the UK.

This decision will be particularly welcome to those who buy goods using the Internet.

If you are subject to a long delay or the cancellation of your flight when on holiday, the airline is required to give you a leaflet outlining your right to compensation. If the delay or cancellation means that you must rearrange your holiday or incur significant extra cost, make sure you get an exact explanation of the reasons for it. We can give you advice on your rights in these circumstances.

If you suffer from illness or have an accident while on a package tour, make sure you get as much evidence as possible and as quickly as possible. Photographs or films of unsafe areas and unhygienic food preparation areas can be very useful in cases of accidents or illness, for example. Also, make sure your complaints are formally noted in writing and given to the holiday representative and/or the resort manager and make sure you keep a copy. Exchange addresses with any potential witnesses or fellow sufferers.