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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lie about my location to the holiday accommodation?

409 replies

Rae34 · 21/09/2020 23:45

I am single and live alone so this period has been very difficult. I have also worked from home since March and have been very careful with who I see and where I go. Just took my temperature there & normal. About 99% sure I am virus free.

Anyway I had booked 3 days in a cottage by the seaside, about 2 hours drive. I am an artist and have been so looking forward to finishing my project and getting some breathing space before what lies before us in the next season.

The booking.com accommodation has just been in touch asking where I am coming from because I am in a restricted area they will not accommodate me any longer. Well sadly I am in such an area. AIBU to tell a white lie and say I'm coming from the next city over (which is not affected)?

I have been so, so careful and was so looking forward to a short break. Also doubt I'd get a refund and it wasn't cheap.

OP posts:
shesgonebatshitagain · 22/09/2020 10:32

But don’t lie about your area of residence you don’t need to

fabulousathome · 22/09/2020 10:38

They might have your address so will know where you have come from.

GaryUnicorn · 22/09/2020 10:50

It is lying. And selfish. The sad thing is, there’s probably thousands and thousands of people up and down the country telling just one lie, telling themselves they are 99% sure they don’t have the virus. That is why the virus will continue to spread and many more people will die.

User31415965689 · 22/09/2020 10:52

Ask yourself, what would Dominic Cummings do in this situation?

Livelovebehappy · 22/09/2020 10:56

I’ve just checked with Booking.com about my upcoming trip, whilst travelling outside a restricted area, and they have confirmed I’m absolutely fine as long as i’m not staying with or socialising with people outside my household. Therefore op you should be absolutely fine. Are they thinking you are staying with friends or family outside your household/bubble? They’ve clearly got the situation wrong, so a simple phone call with them should resolve the matter.

SoulofanAggron · 22/09/2020 11:02

I know it's hard, but people are dying. Don't break the law just for your own pleasure. Keep vulnerable people as safe as possible by following the rules.

I think you will get your money back as you haven't used the accommodation and it's not your fault.

SoulofanAggron · 22/09/2020 11:06

Ah, looking at the rules it seems like it's probably ok.

Organizations such as booking.com will have their own policies which may err on the side of caution and go further than the law.

I think I would lie too tbh.

SockYarn · 22/09/2020 11:09

That is why it's so important for EVERYONE to follow the rules. Because, if you don't, you put everyone else at more risk.

She is following the fecking rules. The guidance/law from the government says she can go.

This "tell us where you are travelling from" thing is way above and beyond the law, and something which some random accommodation owner has decided to impose. The OP is under NO obligation to abide by rules set by a randomer. r j

MarkRuffaloCrumble · 22/09/2020 11:17

@GaryUnicorn

It is lying. And selfish. The sad thing is, there’s probably thousands and thousands of people up and down the country telling just one lie, telling themselves they are 99% sure they don’t have the virus. That is why the virus will continue to spread and many more people will die.
No, it will continue to spread because it’s a virus. Someone in OP’s situation who is very low risk is NOT the reason it will continue to spread. The virus will spread because schools are back, pubs are open, football has been open, people have been flying abroad, some people pretend not to be able to wear a mask because they don’t like them, some people have stopped being diligent about hand washing, but mainly because ITS WHAT VIRUSES DO!
2bazookas · 22/09/2020 11:22

Don't be stupid; bookings require an address and card number so the agency knows exactly where you live and have told you they can't host you. Your "mental needs" are not their priority.

They are giving you an opportunity to cancel right away; read the terms of your booking about cancellation periods. If there's enough notice you might get some or all of your deposit refunded.

If you don't cancel and just turn up, they won't let you in and you'll certainly be too late to reclaim the deposit.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 22/09/2020 11:23

I would go and would tell some sort of white lie.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 22/09/2020 11:24

Ps prior posters are right, its not against the rules, it's the property host being an arse.

Eckhart · 22/09/2020 11:34

@MarkRuffaloCrumble

That's a bit like saying people get shot because guns shoot people. IT'S WHAT GUNS DO.

Grobagsforever · 22/09/2020 11:54

I'd 100 percent go. It's not ok to constantly trash our mental health over this virus, we have to learn to live with it

Eckhart · 22/09/2020 12:01

It's not ok to constantly trash our mental health over this virus, we have to learn to live with it

Without respecting when someone says they don't want us on their property?

The issue here is not the virus. It's that the host accepted payment and then changed terms. OP will be able to find a different way of nurturing her mental health, hopefully with her refund in her pocket.

TheDuchessofMalfy · 22/09/2020 12:05

I really feel for you OP.

I think the holiday place is wrong to ban people from a certain area, when government restrictions don’t require that, but not give you a refund.

On that basis I’d probably lie tbh but I wouldn’t if you were actually banned from travelling. What you should be able to do is get a refund and then book someone that’s not so restrictive but sounds like you can’t.

MarkRuffaloCrumble · 22/09/2020 12:05

[quote Eckhart]@MarkRuffaloCrumble

That's a bit like saying people get shot because guns shoot people. IT'S WHAT GUNS DO.[/quote]
Not really. Guns don’t have a biological imperative to multiply and find new gun owners.

Eckhart · 22/09/2020 12:11

I'm sure you get my drift, @MarkRuffaloCrumble. I didn't say it was exactly the same, but the virus can't spread out of control without people's help and support.

KarmaStar · 22/09/2020 12:24

Hi op,
Can you contact them and explain and ask if they will allow you to go?
Thousands of people are blatantly flouting the rules not caring about spreading this killer virus,now that doesn't mean it makes it ok for everyone else to bend the rules,but if you have been self isolating and feel as confident as can be you are free of it then you can only try to put your situation to them.
I don't think lying will get you anywhere,it won't take them long to establish the truth and then your credibility has gone.
I guess you could try other places to go if you can get a refund,it would seem extremely unfair if they refuse to refund you.

SockYarn · 22/09/2020 12:45

blatantly flouting

Ding Ding! BINGO!

Anyway, BoJo has coined a new replacement for the blatantly flouting. Brazenly defying.

deplorabelle · 22/09/2020 13:54

It's miserable that you may lose this holiday but it sounds like you might not gain anything by lying except a fruitless drive to the holiday accommodation, where you could very likely be refused entry.

You probably won't be at much risk of having the virus but then everyone says they haven't been anywhere or seen anyone so property owner might not want to take your word for it.

You might get away with lying and then yes you would get a mental health boost from the holiday. But there's a substantial risk you get caught lying and lose the holiday on the day, and potentially also the money which is worse.

Engage honestly with the owner. They may let you come but if they don't you should get the money back and will be able to make alternative plans.

NutHo · 22/09/2020 14:10

If you are a totally selfish person and don’t give a toss about anyone else then lie, it is people like this who are responsible for the death of many elderly and vulnerable people.

PurpleDaisies · 22/09/2020 14:21

@NutHo

If you are a totally selfish person and don’t give a toss about anyone else then lie, it is people like this who are responsible for the death of many elderly and vulnerable people.
Don’t be ridiculous. The op doesn’t need to lie because she isn’t actually going to be doing anything that’s against the rules where she is.
Hoppinggreen · 22/09/2020 14:22

What people who are following guidelines?
Read the bloody thread, OP is allowed to do this

Elphame · 22/09/2020 14:22

All my dates on booking.com are non refundable. I need to protect my business from the time wasters who book several properties and then decide last minute where they actually want to go. Yes that is a thing.

I have however allowed a CV19 over ride which allows them to cancel if the guest can't travel. In fact I've had one from RCT who is now legally not allowed to come - we've moved the dates at his request although I did offer a full refund

I wouldn't want a guest lying to me about where they were coming from. If it is a restricted area then my cleaners need to know so they can take (even more) precautions during the changeover.