New court ruling

What to look out for when buying vouchers

Gift vouchers are becoming increasingly popular as presents under the Christmas tree. However, the recipient does not always get around to redeeming them straight away - and then there is often trouble when companies point out small-print time limits. A Carinthian woman therefore went to court - the decision shows what customers need to look out for.

According to recent surveys by the Chamber of Commerce, almost one in two Austrians already give vouchers as Christmas presents. However, this is not always fun - for example, if the wellness card for a visit to the spa is only valid for six months or the hotel stay can never be redeemed because there are too many exceptions and it also expires after a year. Is that even allowed?