Friend has pulled out of holiday the day before we are due to fly out

[OkIy]

Hi,

I have had a ski holiday booked with my friend for the last six weeks. She is a bit flaky but I’ve never been in this position with her. I thought she was being unusually vague about the details and my suspicions have been confirmed today.

She has just texted me saying she doesn’t think she can’t come as she has pulled a muscle during yoga earlier this week and it’s too painful. I was with her last night and there didn’t seem anything wrong with her. I think she is either making this up or is really exaggerating (she can be a bit of a hypochondriac sometimes).

I thought she had been dropping hints she might not be able to come but I triple checked before the cut off for no refunds came. She told me to go ahead.

I have paid for everything and it’s nonrefundable (we have done this multiple times in the past with no issues so I wasn’t being overly naive). I haven’t discussed this aspect with her yet as I am too upset. We are meant to fly out tomorrow.

I am not sure what to do. My birthday is on Friday as well. It wasn’t originally envisioned as a birthday weekend just a cheapish off peak break :(

She should definitely pay her half at the very minimum,should really be paying your share too as not the type of break you do alone.

She would need her own insurance to get any money back and yours may not pay put unless she is signed as unfit to travel. Would she not go and see how she is, since she us obviously not too incapacitated.

This is a shitty thing to do to a friend,

Here's a link to claiming through Small Claims if there's so much as a hint she won't pay. And don't get suckered into waiting for an insurance claim to pay out. You need a leg to be hanging on by its last sinew for them to pay out, so a 'pulled muscle' doesn't stand a chance.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/small-claims/making-a-small-claim

As soon as she finds out she’s paying half she’ll have a miraculous recovery

she’s hoping you’ll offer your insurance and let it slide or offer her a payment plan or something

If you have been friends for 15 years and this is out of character, I would be concerned something else is going on.

Yes, she should still pay at least half. But I wouldn't be dumping her as a friend just yet.

A "pulled muscle" will not qualify as a reason to cancel as far as any insurance is concerned. So you won't get any money back if you cancel due to your traveling companions 'condition' and nor will she.

It's too late to invite someone else and change the name on the booking, and if it's a budget holiday, they probably won't allow name changes anyway.

Sorry. You need to demand that she pays her share now (you really should have got get to do that as soon as your booked) and go alone.

Of course she should pay her half, I have a feeling this won't end well.

If you do decide to go by yourself -check if your resort is covered by the Ski Club of GB. They offer meets ups everyone day pretty much - touring around the slopes in groups. In some resorts they'll have evening meet ups too. You'll need to join - but would be worth it

That's every day, not everyone day

I’d suggest that she comes anyway - massage/hot tub might do it good anyway. Failing that, as pp have suggested goon your own and have a blast. And send her some photos.

Hopefully the trip isnt too expensive. I dont think your friend will pay

If you've booked group lessons on the first few days you'll meet up with people to go skiing with outside the lesson who are likely to have a similar skill level.

This from @Velvetween is the best approach by far.

"Don’t beat around the bush either. Assume she is paying you in full and start with “Are you sure you can’t come because this will be an expensive cancellation for you”. It’s not your job to persuade her to come."

Don't let her away with this, what a CF to just text with no mention of money.

She needs to fork out whether she goes or not the cheeky cow.

This ^ set it clear but be breezy that you expect her to pay incase it comes to small claims court it can be evidence.

You need to message her back asap - don't leave it any longer

"So sorry to hear this. Have checked and nothing can be cancelled at this late stage or refunded so please transfer me £ then let me know what you want to do asap. Happy for you to come and not Ski, or if you can't come, check with your insurance what you need in order to claim"

Why are you on mumsnet op?

you are meant to be going tomorrow. Surely quite a bit to sort?

Get the money from her now. Whatever happens re insurance.

Go on holiday alone. Find a new friend there maybe….

Flaky people never change. And they never really think they have done anything wrong.

Ugh. I would be so disappointed, angry and let-down OP.

She still needs to pay.

I’d see if she wants to go still. I like mooching around ski towns if she can’t ski at all there will be mooching, mulled wine and eating to be done

I'd ski alone. I'm damned if I'd miss a trip just because my friend is flaky!

Friend definitely needs to pay her half though.

What on earth is there to sort at this point? A bit of packing? Everything is booked and paid for.

Going on holiday doesn't take the days of prep that a lot of people seem to think.

Surely she’s still planning to pay? Have you got someone else to go with? Are you still going?

It doesn’t look like she’s going to go alone so I meant that the OP should be engaging with her friend to get to the bottom of what’s going on rather than navel gazing on mumsnet.

Or even seeing if another friend could go

So squat all to do with packing!! 😂