Should I cancel the holiday or wait to see what company does?

[Joyfulincolour]

We've booked a holiday for the end of August (to France) with Al Fresco holidays. We only paid £99 deposit which I'm prepared to lose. The balance is due 1st May (£1600). If I cancel now, am I only going to lose the £99? I don't want to be liable for the £1600 too. Has anyone had any recent experiences?

I would cancel in your position, if £99 isn't a lot to you (it's all relative but of course it's so much less than your final amount). Just thinking that there's a chance airlines and travel companies go bust by August - and then you'd get nothing at all.

We have just had to pay the final balance of an expensive trip - saved so hard for 3 years and decided this is the year to go abroad and of course now we regret it so much. We would have lost a huge amount by cancelling so as it is, we have had to pay and are stuck hoping that either we can go by some miracle, or that the company cancels and refunds. Or maybe the credit card company helps us if the holiday company goes under.

Oh sorry, I just realised I didn't answer your question at all! Check your docs but usually you'd only lose the deposit.

Obviously wait until the 1 May before doing anything. Pointless to cancel now in case advice changes or the situation becomes more clear.

I've had a look at their cancellation T&Cs on their website. Sorry I am unable to cut and paste. It says if your holiday is more than 84 days away you'd just lose the deposit.

Thanks everyone. And thanks for looking at Ts and Cs Rookie. I will cancel. I'm sorry to hear of your situation Chester - heartbreaking when you've saved and planned for so long.

Of course double check with them first to be on the safe side. In your situation I'd cancel.

Hi @Joyfulincolour – we just wanted to let you know that we are keeping a close eye on developments associated with the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), with the health and safety of our customers and our employees as our top priority. We are still very hopeful that your holiday in August will go ahead as planned, and as a business we recognise that flexibility is more important than ever, which is why we have also adjusted our balance due date to 6 weeks before your departure date, instead of the normal 12 weeks. If you log into ‘Your Al Fresco’ you will now be able to see your new balance due date. You can also keep up to date with all of the latest information & guidance on our Coronavirus FAQ page. We hope this helps!

The Al Fresco Holidays Team

Alfresco has your cancellations policy been changed also to reflect the change in balance due dates? Your t&c's state if the holiday is cancelled from 84 days (or 12 weeks) prior then 50% of the holiday balance is due as a cancellation fee. Does this remain the same or has it changed? Thanks

Good question @InTheCludgie

If you read the Covid Ts&Cs it says cancellation penalties remain the same so it looks like if you cancelled between 6-12 weeks you'd pay more than the initial deposit. I could be reading it wrong of course.

Thanks everyone. I rang and cancelled today. They were very helpful and lovely. Only lost the deposit. Cludgie and Rookie, you’re both correct - 50% due if between 12-6 weeks.