Holiday cancellation

[BySparklyNavyWriter]

Hi,
I am looking for some advice. I booked a holiday a few weeks ago for next September and have only paid a £120 deposit up to now. I have spoken to them on the beach and informed them that I cannot afford the holiday now and can cancel. They have advised that it is £1,079 to cancel, which I don't have. Can not paying the holiday effect credit rating? Very stressful.

Unfortunately you agreed to the terms and conditions when booking and that includes the cancellation fees. On The Beach often pay the suppliers up front, so if the flights and hotel are non-refundable then you will still have to pay for them even if you cancel. If you refuse to pay they could pursue you for charges which would affect your credit rating if they take you to court and win.

May I ask what has changed in the last few weeks which now means you can't afford the holiday? Is it something that would be covered by your travel insurance? Would it be cheaper to change the dates of the holiday to the following year so you have more time to pay? Or could you try to sell the holiday to a friend or relative and just pay the cost of changing the names on the booking? If there really is no other option, could you try asking for a repayment plan to spread the cost of the cancellation fee?

PP is correct and the money is probably the air fare.

On the beach are not a package holiday company like Jet2. If you cancel a Jet2 holiday you lose the £120 deposit and that's it. On the beach are just a middle man for flight and hotel bookings.

Low cost deposits mean you may well be liable for a greater cost if you cancel OTB are an agent not a tour operator so buy on the elements which may not be refundable. If they pursue the debt it will go on your credit file.

@BySparklyNavyWriter Yes. A big risk booking with them. They say they offer package holidays but I cannot see ABTA anywhere on their web site. The scenario seems to be you pay the flights. They are non refundable. Is the cancellation fee purely for flights? It possibly is. But if not, argue that you should get all hotel fees back, and check if they have paid for the flights!

Do not use them again.