AIBU to think this holiday company is being unfair?

[rosiewalker]

Just wondering what other people think about this.

I booked a 4-night caravan holiday in Cornwall with a well known holiday park group a few months ago.

I happened to look on their website today and noticed the next grade of caravan up is now only £3.80 more than what I paid. I was really pleased because I thought I’d just ring up, pay the £3.80 and treat us to a slightly nicer caravan.

Apparently not!

Customer services told me I’d have to pay over £50 to upgrade because they use the prices from when I originally booked, not what’s on the website now.

I do get that companies can have whatever booking policies they want,. It just feels really unfair. If I’d waited until now to book, I’d have got the better caravan for virtually the same price.

AIBU for thinking I should be able to pay the current advertised difference and upgrade?

Or is that just how these things work

I can see their point to be honest. I assume you are tied in, with a non refundable booking/ deposit?

Holiday prices fluctuate depending on demand. With less time between now and the holiday date, and with chalets still available, demand is lower and prices are reduced to a more competitive rate.

It seems unfair that you paid more but then you benefited from the certainty of having a confirmed booking.

I think, unfortunately for you, that’s just how it works.

Those cheap prices are there to encourage new customers so I can see why they wouldn't let you upgrade for a couple of quid. What's the cancellation policy, is it too last to cancel and rebook?

Is it Haven? If so this works both ways and if the accommodation that you have booked has gone down in price you can claim back the difference

Yes YABU. Prices are lower if they have unsold dates nearer the time.

It’s a risk you take when you book a holiday well in advance that the price will drop nearer the time.

Agreed - just as it's a risk you take, if you hold out and wait to the last minute to book, to grab a bargain, that they may have sold out and you end up with nothing.

From the booker's pov, the experience and planning extends all the way from when you book, right up to the end of the holiday; but from the holiday company's pov, they've sold you a one-time purchase which you claim at a later date.

It’s not but I have used havens price promise before so presumed other main holiday parks would operate on a similar flexible basis.

Lesson learned - the pricing strategy doesn’t encourage bookings in advance then as does leave a sour taste in my mouth knowing I have paid more for something just by booking early.

These parks don’t get fully booked so will wait until nearer the time next year.

thanks for the perspective.

This is one reason why on booking.com I book on flexible rather than the cheaper ‘buy it now’ and keep checking prices nearer to time if still available - sometimes I gain a lot, sometimes I realise I’ve got a damn good deal locked in- it’s how things work these days OP.

Might it be deliberate on their part that they've reduced the price of the more luxurious ones in order to make sure they don't go unsold; but kept it still slightly more than the cost of the more basic ones, to avoid having to pay out any claims of the price having dipped below the initial benchmark?