I've paid for next week's group holiday but no one has paid their contribution!

[Waferbiscuit]

Weird situation. Going on UK holiday with a friend, her two friends and our 5 children. I agreed to pay for the whole thing on a spare credit card on the basis that they'd BACS me their contribution but I've not received a dime. I paid 5 weeks ago and we leave next Monday.

What's the standard protocol on this? I don't want to get into a situation where I have to chase them for money after the holiday, when they'd obviously be less inclined to pay or where I may get dribs and drabs over an extended period. Given the number of people coming it's obviously cost quite a bit.

@BackwardsGoing she says in her OP that she’s going on a UK holiday?

I would send a message reminding everyone how much you have already paid, and that it is accruing interest, and then insist on payment by Friday.(politely)
Have you checked your cancellation/credit/ refund options?

Whatever you do, don't go on holiday without the money being in your account. You won't get it off them afterwards.

Just tell them you need payment now. I frequently book group things on an interest free credit card & often have to nudge some for payment, they've usually just forgotten or thought they'd done it. If you get excuses though that will be a different issue. Could you sell their places to another friend ? Don't let them go if they haven't paid. If they can't afford it, they should have let you know, it's not a sign of good friendship to let you go ahead with plans without telling you.

I hope you just sent a simple message saying "please pay xxx to me ASAP for the holiday".

And hopefully got your money!

Bad advice to send a jokey text. It's way past the time for that and they've ignored a reminder too.

Unfortunately I'd be astonished if they have any intention of going. They sound like the type who are all enthusiastic then don't follow through. And at the moment they can blame it on Covid.

Lesson learned, never book a holiday for other people till you've got the money. That goes for friends too, unless you're really sure of them.

@ArticFreeze, it always amuses me when someone like you pops up on these threads to wag a virtual finger at the op for 'breaking the rules', something which it appears you are very fond of doing. As the op hasn't specified how she is organising this holiday with regards to social distancing, why do you feel the need to lecture her? Do you trawl the threads looking for people to admonish? Sad.
Op, I hope you get it sorted. I was badly stung years ago similarly. It can be an expensive way of learning to get the cash first before you book.

I can't think of any holiday in the UK that could be cancelled without significant penalty less than a week before hand.

Including many campsites.

And OP, you seem optimistic about a credit, but if I was a holiday cottage owner I wouldn't give you a free week in the future (when I could be charging a fee) in return for an empty cottage next week.

And why would you want so much of your money tied up in a credit note?

You need to find out the cancellation T&C NOW, and be firm about repayment with your friends.

"I paid the bill for everyone 5 weeks ago. Could you now please repay me before the end of today. Thank you.

I got the impression from her last post that OP wouldn’t be updating.

I think one of the key points here is that OP stated that she's going away with her friend and two of "her" friends plus children

Maybe you're being treated with a total lack of respect because two of the three adults aren't your friends, they might think differently towards you

Regardless, the fact they haven't bothered paying you by now and you're having to chase them would totally mar it for me. Two options, cancel or go with your kids. They've treated you with a serious lack of respect

Please give us an update OP. Really hope the CFs have now paid up.

Ok, I’d ring and find out what my options were for cancelling or rescheduling to a downsized holiday for myself and kids, for a start.

Based on the information from that, I would contact your “friend” and be honest: the balance is (over)due. It needs paying by last week, and you’re certainly not footing the bill for everyone. You can use some of the nicer words people above have given but the end statement needs to be the same: money in your account by Friday (or whatever) or you’re changing the holiday/ cancelling it.

Then do that. These aren’t friends. I’m sorry.

Also in the future, always find out the cancellation date and get final payments in by that time. Never wait longer than that first week or whenever you’ve paid. Any decent person would not want you out of pocket for credit card interest etc.

I think we're looking forward to an update far more than any of the group are looking forward to the holiday.

You can use some of the nicer words people above have given but the end statement needs to be the same: money in your account by Friday (or whatever) or you’re changing the holiday/ cancelling it

I wouldn't give them options. OP needs the money whether they come or not. Cancelling is still probably to cost her money.

Sudden flash back to the joy that was the CF holiday thread where a woman invited her husband along on the holiday that her friend was paying for...

@HagridsBackTeeth oh I agree, I just see people saying she shouldn’t threaten to cancel, and I disagree with that. Absolutely she should, and follow through if it’s an option (ie, if she has the options for partial refund or ability to transfer to a smaller place for just her family)

Yes backwards I was thinking aboht the same thread and often wonder how those friendships are now

OMG BackwardsGoing WHAT!!!!! Please link please please

Just send a group WhatsApp reminder and add your bank details again. "Don't forget to pay as our holiday is coming up'
(I would find this non-payment so close to the holiday really stressful )

I wonder how today panned out for the OP.

Hopefully she can get refund as not sure I'd want to go away with the CF's now anyway.

@BackwardsGoing link please!

@BackwardsGoing

Be still my beating heart...link please?

I remember the one where a woman asked to bring her partner along to a ladies break (or hen?), she wanted a room with an en-suite I think, was told no men, brought him anyway. Is that the one?

Do they have their physical/electronic tickets yet or are you holding them? Could you just say if you want your ticket, pay up?

Yes @BackwardsGoing - I remember that thread

@honeygirlz I will try to find it but it was a long time ago.

The CF didn't end up going IIRC.