Am I doing the right thing by continuing to pay up our holiday?

[Dieu]

Well, it's a bit late now, as there's now only two payments left to make before the holiday itself
Situation is that last year, I booked a holiday to Greece for me and my 3 children, for the beginning of July 2020. It's essentially a package holiday, with Jet2 flights, but the whole thing was booked through Loveholidays.
I doubt very much that we will be going, but have continued with my monthly direct debit payments anyway. I thought this should be done until official travel advice was issued, as only then would you get a refund. Whereas if I cancelled off my own bat, that would be seen as my choice, and I'd struggle to get the money back.
A friend has just put the fear of God into me, by basically saying that I'm wrong, and I ought to have stopped paying.
I have worked hard for this, and can not afford to lose all this money. I'd love a bit of reassurance, from you travel aficionados And some info on what is likely to happen now. If it's relevant, I just took out the basic LH family travel insurance on booking the holiday.
I'm starting to think it was jinxed anyway, as I had originally booked through Thomas Cook, and had to cancel and rebook (losing some money in the process, due to rising costs of alternative flights etc)!
Many thanks.

[Dieu]

Thanks all. Who'd have thought this would happen, eh?!
Take care.

[CorianderLord]

Yes flights are cancelled until June. This will probably change but wait until it does and they'll probably contact you for a refund.

[BubblesBuddy]

Final balance

[BubblesBuddy]

We have done the same as Zodlebud but it was for a departure towards the end of April. We are getting the final valence back but have agreed that we will take the holiday next year because we still want to go. The company has kept the deposit. We have requested a flight refund from the company which we will no doubt have to wait for. It was business class with Uzbek airways so I think this will take some time to materialise! We were not keen on them keeping the money though!

[Zodlebud]

I spoke to my agent yesterday and if you don’t pay the balance and there has been no announcement that it has been cancelled then that is seen as you cancelling the holiday and you will lose everything you have paid so far (or in accordance with their cancellation policy).

By law if they cancel the holiday then you get all your money back.

Most reputable companies are trying to have a final decision as to whether your holiday will be going ahead on the date your final payment is due though (usually 6-8 weeks before departure).

I am going to continue to pay for mine. It’s ATOL protected and guaranteed by European Package Regulations. It’s just an arse to go through the motions though.

[Dieu]

I wouldn't worry. Someone I know has just been given a hassle-free full refund by Jet2.
Loveholidays will be shittier, I expect, and will make people go down the voucher route. I'm not sure how enforceable this is.
Thanks for replying folks.

[DontGoIntoTheLongGrass]

I'm in a similar position. Holiday to Turkey end of July and only paid deposit so far. Full balance due end of May. Jet2 also package holiday. I'm waiting and seeing. Only thing on Jet2 site says all holidays up into June cancelled.

[rookiemere]

I think you should keep paying. If the holiday doesn't happen then technically you should get your money back but instead they'll try to make you take a voucher or rebook for a later date - because so many travel companies are in this position they may change ATOL rules.

If you do go for this book something in the future as a travel voucher is worthless but you should get your money refunded if an actual holiday is booked.

Do you have travel insurance and if so does it cover you for Covid 19 related cancellation if FCO advice is not to travel ? Actually don't worry if you don't, we do and it all seems like a big scam and they send you back to the travel agent/airline/hotel anyway.

[Elieza]

Find out about changing the date?

[LilyE1234]

It’s personal choice really, if the holiday was going ahead in July would you want to go? If so keep paying, as if it gets cancelled you’d get a full refund.

If you don’t want to go either way, stop paying and face the fact you’ll loose your deposit.

[Dieu]

Loveholidays are definitely ATOL covered.

[ColdToesHere]

The chances of you getting to go on holiday are slim to none. I’d find out what their policy is for holidays that are booked for now (most airlines are covering changes etc for flights up to May 31st) and how they treat current bookings before I have them anymore of my money.
Check are they atol covered. What happens if the holiday accommodation goes bust?