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.

Hi folks can you transfer the money £x for our break by midday tomorrow. Thanks.

If I don't get it from you all by that time, I will cancel, have no choice.

I think the lesson people usually learn on here is not to book anything unless people have paid upfront. It's so unfair of them to put you in this situation.

Do you have messages where they've agreed to pay you?

How much is owed and by how many people?

Thx all! Will contact all in the morning and if money not in by Friday will look at cancelling or getting a credit (most likely). Thx.

I’d message them again and say as it’s been over a month you are about to be charged interest on your credit card and say they either have to pay now or you’ll have to cancel it as cannot afford to cover the interest?

That's bad. They have you over a barrel. If you get stroppy you'll cause a bad atmosphere and ruin the holiday. If they pull out you're stuffed.

Too late now but never, ever, ever do this again. Especially with people who you don't know that well.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Ask them for their payments now. If they don’t pay up right away consider either cancelling or taking someone else with you, but don’t take any of those people if they have not paid for the trip.

Maybe given the current circumstances they are having second thoughts. Find out regardless, don’t let them faff you about.

What shitty behaviour from them

Is send a final message along the lines of..."I need payment for the holiday by xxx Thanks"

My only concern would be if they don't pay. So you Think they won't? In which case I'd be going alone

Good grief.....this is awful.

Send a message tomorrow definitely.

Don’t give them till Friday!!! It’s only Tuesday today.

Tell them they need to pay you by Thursday lunchtime.
If anyone fails to, send a reminder just to them.
If not paid by Thursday evening send a message to all saying you’ve not had all the cash, do they want to pay extra for the non-payer or cancel?
Don’t mess about, why would you spend money subsiding other people’s holiday?

They've got a legitimate reason to cancel. Your holiday is against the guidance and you shouldn't have been booking such a trip in May. So don't fall out about it, if that's their reasoning.

Definitely contact them all in the morning and get a firm answer, don't leave it until Friday.

Are you sure they are still intending going away? Mean friends leaving you with the bill. You need to phone each of them.

I know some people on here see it as pointless mentioning something that the op can’t change now. But seriously op, why the hell did you pay for a holiday for all these people upfront?? It doesn’t even sound like you know some of them?

Do you have any other people you think might want to go with you? I'd add to them if they're struggling to pay can they let you know sooner rather than later so you can ask someone else or see if you can cancel. I'm sure if it's in the UK the holiday company will be able to re let it

Never ever book something without up front payment. Ever. But you know that now.

I wouldn't send a general message, that way each one can think 'oh well, no one else has paid'

I'd contact each one individually hoping each would think it's only her that's letting you down. And I agree with PP, that a call would be better - put them on the spot. Adopt a rather surprised and disappointed tone.

In my world the 'protocol' is that each person pays before the bill hits the booker's account. But we call it normal considerate behaviour, rather than protocol.

Don't understand this behaviour at all, unless they've decided not to go in which case you will be left with the bill.

AIBU to get a bit snippy about this and demand payment before we set off?

YANBU. Cheeky sods.

They are all CF. They need to pay or no holiday.

Perhaps "Hi, since I haven't had payment from anyone, I'm cancelling the holiday and getting a refund. I think it's against the current guidelines anyway. Next time, someone else can be in charge!"

Spare credit card? Perfect:

Hey guys, really excited for our holiday next week!
My bill for the credit card I put the holiday on has now come through so can you all please send me your share before we go, then it’s all done and I won’t have to worry about clearing the bill!
Thank you everyone, really excited. If you can’t remember what you owe, I’ll message you privately xx

So rude, I would honestly cancel!

You are being used as a sort of cash underwriter or credit facility in the event of them changing their minds (Covid related?) and pulling out. Be careful because I think you could end up shouldering the whole bill!

Message in the morning and say you’ve just checked and noticed you’re outstanding some payments does anyone need your bank details again? Then it’s not singling anyone out or calling anyone out. If you haven’t heard anything by the end of the day call your friend.
Don’t ask if they’re still going as they’ll think you don’t want them to/can pay for it without them.

Do not go unless they've all paid.

Send a message now saying can't wait til the holiday, can you all transfer the money before Friday so I don't get any credit card charges? Cheers