Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
greybeans · 22/09/2020 02:03

Just go

Hopefulhen · 22/09/2020 02:54

There’s no way I would be honest with them if there’s any chance they’re going to cancel your booking without a refund.

Racoonworld · 22/09/2020 05:20

They know your address from booking, I wouldn’t lie now. If their rules are they won’t accept people from lockdown areas then that is what it is, nothing to do with the government rules, it’s their business! Please don’t lie your way round it, it’s jeopardising their business and livelihood, think of others.

Pixxie7 · 22/09/2020 05:23

Be honest with them, but also let them know your situation ie temp etc.

Rubyupbeat · 22/09/2020 05:34

You could be carrying?
This is how it spreads.

Toontown · 22/09/2020 05:39

It's shit but necessary. I am the other extreme (6 of us and a dog locked down). 2 stressful jobs between us I have bad mental health and the holiday was the only thing keeping me going. Had to cancel because of being in a restricted area. Was the right thing to do. Shite and has made me very stressed.

lyralalala · 22/09/2020 05:44

Tbh thinking about it, I would wait unti tomorrow until after the COBR meeting and any announcements before dealing with them. Although the guidance is that you can (according to Government rules) go just now, that might not be the case in 24 hours time

trixiebelden77 · 22/09/2020 05:51

I mean - you’re not a decent person following the rules if you lie to them. You’re no different to the non-decent people not following the rules if you do that.

Quite a lot of us working in health would like a short break too......

SpaceRaiders · 22/09/2020 05:51

You’re single person, staying alone. Presumably you’ve been following the distancing rules. As long as you stay away from others what risk are you posing? Lots of people with second homes isolated away from their main residence. Go and enjoy yourself!

The only reason hosts ask for an address is for security reasons, so that you can be traced should you damage the property and disappear.

Rollmopsrule · 22/09/2020 05:54

Just go. Dont bother trying to reason with booking.com about how careful you've been. They won't take that into account. You know how much you need this break and how careful you've been. Just be sensible when your away.
Just to note - I would not feel any obligation to booking.com. They absolutely dont care about their customers and have been zero help when I've had issues with some of my bookings. They hide behind the non refundable label and will not step in no matter what. Saying that if they are cancelling it you should 100% get your money back. They will probably try and give you a credit note or get you to book another date.

ChasingRainbows19 · 22/09/2020 06:03

This will happen more and more. Not sure if the guidance has changed or the hotels are doing it themselves. But what happens when they are turning away more than they accept. The next few weeks will probably see more locations have big rises: they can happen our of nowhere like some areas in GM.

We went to the lakes recently from greater Manchester who has had rises all through September. The guidance was we could go but don’t mix/stay with others. Only two of us so no issue. The hotel weren’t bothered about our location They had great covid measures in place.

We have been away twice over summer to the lakes. Both times I didn’t go anywhere but work, food shopping and walks for 2 weeks before. We wore masks when needed, washed hands regularly and used sanitiser as asked. I take my temp daily.

I don’t feel selfish, I’ve helped local businesses on my trip by spending money. I was very careful throughout the trip. If I thought I had been at risk of carrying covid I wouldn’t of gone- I got insurance to cover this.

TheMistressQuickly · 22/09/2020 06:08

Go. Mental health is important too. X

BiblioX · 22/09/2020 06:17

Yabvu. Treat the owners of the accommodation with respect - you have no idea why they are requesting this but they have the right!
As someone who lives in a very remote, rural area loved by tourists but with only a tiny cottage hospital - or a nearly four hour ambulance drive to a main hospital - plus no online food-delivery options for self isolation, I feel tourists should think of locals far more, we have to actually live here.

redcarbluecar · 22/09/2020 06:18

I’d be uncomfortable about lying, but hope you do get to go, and that you have a nice time.

kateandme · 22/09/2020 06:19

but you will 4e alone away?

Nyclair · 22/09/2020 06:26

I'm sorry you're struggling but YABU to lie. Things are never going to improve if everyone is of the same mindset - I dont have it, im struggling,
Its just for a few days etc. You should be able to get a refund or credit/rebook if you can't travel due to government guidance

ceeveebee · 22/09/2020 06:31

As far as I known the only area in the UK that has banned travel out of area is South Wales .
But this has also aside happened to people that I know from Greater Manchester local lockdown areas - the rules do not stop you travelling but hotels/cottage owners are making their own decisions not to allow people from those areas to come.
So if they are going to make up their own rules then they’d need to refund you

MoggyP · 22/09/2020 06:35

It's not a white lie, it's a whopper.

HaggieMaggie · 22/09/2020 06:35

Surely you gave your address when you booked it originally, so they know where you’re coming from?

Aridane · 22/09/2020 06:38

Did you buy travel insurance to cover this sort of situation?

Whenever there is a travel thread, I count down the number of posts until someone chimes in with this. Normally smugly (not saying it is here) and typically when no regular travel policy would respond

frumpety · 22/09/2020 06:38

Do they mean are you travelling from an area with travel restrictions , like areas of Wales or an area with restrictions that do not relate to travel , the whole of the UK is effected by covid related restrictions. Do the restrictions in your particular area mean that you would be breaking the law if you were to travel for leisure ?

Yutes · 22/09/2020 06:39

There aren’t restrictions on self catering accommodation in Scotland. Don’t lie. But do go.
At the end of the day, it is up to the place you are booking if they say no.

Aridane · 22/09/2020 06:43

If your mental health is so fragile that you think three days away could make it or break it then I think you need professional help

I tend to agree

IndecentFeminist · 22/09/2020 06:44

I would.

Aridane · 22/09/2020 06:47

Why do you need the conflicting opinions/permission of strangers? Do whatever you think best

1). To see where she stands legally and contractually ? to see if others have had similar experience with booking.com?

  1. Do whatever you think best - god help us all