To think this booking.com host is going to cancel the trip last minute?

[Maria53]

I booked a seaside trip a month ago on booking.com. We arranged to talk nearer the time to arrange keys etc.

However they have contacted me today to ask if I'd consider cancelling, getting a refund and giving the money on arrival. They said booking.com is not paying them on time and it is causing financial problems.

I explained I can't do this as the booking is non refundable. I asked her to clarify that the booking will be going ahead and she replied 'I'm happy to do so currently'. It is in 10 days.

This will be my first break since winter and I really need it. It sounds to me like she might cancel last minute and it will be too late to book anything but I feel I'm in a bind now. What do you all think?

Does anyone have any advice?

I am dreading that this person might cancel or back out. Is there anything I can do? The thought of not having the holiday after taking the time off is very stressful

2 options:

• contact booking.com, tell them what you've said here and ask them to release you from the booking penalty-free. Then at least you have time to find something else

• see if you can make a backup booking somewhere else that allows cancellation up to the day before/of arrival.

Call Booking.com
Be prepared for a really long wait on the phone but I had a similar problem a year or so ago and the guy I finally got to speak to was brilliant and sorted it all out there and then.

I'd be worried about them refunding but the accommodation not being available when you turn up and sold for a much higher price

This happened to us with Weymouth. Booking.com found us other accomodation. It was more expensive as last minute but they took the difference from the place which cancelled us. At the time I felt really bad about it.

Definitely don't cancel as you will be penalised potentially with no come back, depending on what the cancellation policy is. She can cancel but hosts get penalised for cancelling with lower rankings etc. I think she's unlikely to cancel on you for that reason. Booking.com charges hosts some of the highest commission hence why she probably wants you to pay directly, but she needs to cancel in that case. If you cancel there is nothing to stop her changing her mind and renting to someone else for more, she's asking for a lot of trust from you. I would recommend continuing with the booking or telling her to cancel if she's really not happy but say that you would rather she didn't. We rent a cottage and booking.com takes 3-4 weeks to pay up, but this is always the case and they always do,so I'm not convinced by her reasons.

This happened to me last year - the owner cancelled with no viable reason less than 48 hours before I was due to travel. After a snot and tears style hissy fit, I pulled myself together and booked somewhere else. Try not to let it get you down, there will always be a holiday somewhere, even if it's not perfect, you will get away. It's a nightmare but I hope it all works out for you either way. Stay positive.

So you mean the owner wants to cancel then set up a private arrangement with you to avoid booking.com fees?

That's not on.

I wouldn’t cancel you will probably loose your money. She can cancel but at a large cost to her so she’s probably trying to avoid that. I have seen a few things recently were hosts are cancelling last minute and getting higher prices for there lets.

I'm happy to do so currently is a red flag.

I'd contact booking.com and see what they say.

Contact booking.com, as others have said.

She’s probably just attempting to undercut them, as they take a not small commission, but she’s agreed to that and it’s nothing to do with you.

A private agreement would be more lucrative for her; but less secure for you.

I wonder if she wants you to cancel so she can resist the house at a higher price. I'd say No

It sounds very dodgy, people go through sites like booking.com for a reason!

We booked a place through booking.com in May, they gave details to.book directly next year which we have done and it is £300 cheaper directly, I dread to think what booking.com takes in fees!

It's always worth looking up cottages independently of Booking.com, as booking direct is usually much cheaper, due to commission and guest fees, just check the cancellation policy first. People like the security of an official site, but there's nothing to stop a host cancelling last minute although booking.com does make it difficult and will do a lot to deter hosts. I guess with Covid hosts can use that as an excuse. Check the cancellation policy carefully, sometimes booking.com will step in to find alternative accommodation as host cancellations are not good for them.