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AIBU?

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Original poster

Holiday company refusing refund

20 replies

VivienScott · 22/04/2020 19:40

Due to go on holiday in July to Mallorca on a package deal and the balance is due shortly. I read an article saying most hotels on the island are not planning on opening this summer so I checked my hotel website and it says they aren’t opening this summer all bookings are cancelled. I phone holiday company asking what will happen, they advise I have to pay the full price and will be rebooked for next year. I said this doesn’t work for me and I’m not prepared for them to hold onto my cash for a year and I was told if I cancel I have to pay £800 cancellation fee, if I can’t accept my rebooking for next year, I will loose the full amount. Is this correct?
AIBU in thinking this is breach if contract, they can’t cancel a holiday and not refund me in full???
This is a well known holiday company by the way.

OP posts:
SallyLovesCheese · 22/04/2020 19:42

Check your T&Cs? I find a £800 cancellation fee ridiculous.

Dieu · 22/04/2020 19:44

I think you have to pay the balance if you want to be refunded in full. It's annoying, but just how it is.

PinkiOcelot · 22/04/2020 19:45

That can’t be right surely. Disgraceful.

Thirder · 22/04/2020 19:48

I think the advice is don't cancel it. Wait until the holiday date has passed and they cancel it. Doesn't Atol protection cover it?

Lippy1234 · 22/04/2020 19:49

You have to pay the balance, wait for them to cancel and then ask for a refund. They will fob you off but you are can get a refund, it could take months for the refund to be processed.

Bringonspring · 22/04/2020 19:50

If you pay it then definitely pay bi credit card as it will offer some protection if they go into administration

Original poster
VivienScott · 22/04/2020 19:50

It is ATOL protected but they are saying if THEY cancel they will rebook me for next year and if it’s not acceptable to me I lose all my money, that’s my issue.

OP posts:
YeahWhatevver · 22/04/2020 19:50

Pay it in full on your credit card

Await a refund

Thighmageddon · 22/04/2020 19:52

It was on the tv this morning, you do have to pay the balance but I'd put it on a credit card I think was the advice.

lostguider · 22/04/2020 19:52

@Thirder you are correct. The only way to get a refund is if the tour operator cancels the holiday. So far most operators are aiming to resume service on or around the 17th june. So anyone travelling before then has been able to get a credit note or refund.
If you do not pay your balance it is classed as a cancellation and you will forfeit your deposit.
Most operators are allowing you to book for next year instead and move the deposit over however you will probably find that your travel insurance wont cover you whilst the FCO advice not to travel.

Lippy1234 · 22/04/2020 19:53

They can’t make you rebook for next year.

Prisonbreak · 22/04/2020 19:53

Be prepared to wait if you do get a refund. We are due to travel on Sunday and told our refund will come in August

Rollercoasteride · 22/04/2020 19:56

Oh no OP. We will be in the same position as you. We were due to go to Majorca on 20th July, even if the flights were up and running by then, we still wouldn't go as me and DS are in the vulnerable group.
We need to pay our balance on Monday.

JoeExoticsHusband · 22/04/2020 19:57

Pay in full on credit card. You will get a refund, it might take a couple of days. American express were fantastic when Love holidays refused my refund. BA we eventually got a refund by phoning. They were trying to push vouchers, we just kept saying we needed a refund please. Be polite, they might help you more.

EcoCustard · 22/04/2020 19:57

We were due to travel April 2nd with TUI, cancelled 20th March and issued a full refund invoice. Still not received my money back and have been told various lies by numerous people. So whatever you do be prepared to wait for your cash.

Dieu · 22/04/2020 19:58

I'm due to go to Greece at the beginning of July. SURELY travel won't be going ahead at that point. Confused

hiddenmnetter · 22/04/2020 20:02

Which did a report on this this morning on R4. What the company are doing is illegal, but it's entirely predictable because the money you have paid it's already spent by them. It's the way the business works. However they are (apparently according to which?) obliged to refund you in full. They are meant to have paid your money back within 14 days but apparently this is not happening. However the sector is on the brink of collapse, so if they fold and go into administration how do you get your money back then?

vanillandhoney · 22/04/2020 20:04

You have to pay the full balance if you want a refund, and they DO have to give you a refund, but it could take several months for you to get it.

Xenia · 22/04/2020 20:04

I think p[eople sould be very cautious about paying a big holiday balance at the current time. Our package holiday co is saying no need to pay balance until 4 weeks before (as they and we do not know if flights will go in late June (our holiday dates)) - I have not cancelled and they have not cancelled on us yet. I expect we will know more by 1 June.

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