Can I still go on holiday if lead booker pulls out?

[Rabbitsgalore1]

Looking for honest advice.
We have a family holiday abroad booked in just 2 months time (2 adults, 1 adult child and three children aged 13-1yrs). Children are aware and are really excited.

Unfortunately my partner is the lead booker but he is historically alcohol dependent and has unexpectedly relapsed, taking himself away from the family home. This could continue for several weeks and I’m unsure whether he will recover sufficiently in time to come or whether he will now want to come at all.

What do I do? I desperately don’t want to let the children down but can I even go without him being there? If we can’t go then I need to prepare the children asap as it’s cruel to keep them excited for a holiday that may never be. We purchased flights separately from accommodation, insurance documents look valid whether he is a no-show or not but it’s getting on the flights or checking in to the hotel that worries me. Hotel is x2 rooms- one he is the lead booker and the second room my adult daughter is the lead booker. Flights he is the lead booker and paid with his card.

With only two months to go I can’t easily find the money to buy new duplicate flights and hotel accommodation- wish I had booked as the lead booker in the first instance but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Has anyone got any advice or been in a similar situation? Thank you.

Contact the companies and ask? Have you got travel insurance?

Flights - just make sure you know the booking details, provide the required advanced passenger info for you and your DC and you should be ok, make sure you do the on line check in a soon as you can. You might be able to cancel your DHs flight for a partial refund depending on the type of booking.

Hotel, as long as you have the booking reference number I can’t see why you couldn’t check in, when we travel it’s quite often not the lead booker who checks in. Have been in plenty of holidays where I’ve booked multiple rooms - people turning up earlier/later check themselves in without me (the lead booker) being there.

Thank you both- yes all the insurance was purchased at the same time as the flights/accommodation- again purchased with his credit card for extra protection. I’ve looked at the insurance documents and they seem ok for us to use. It’s reassuring that if he doesn’t cancel either the flights or the accommodation then we have a chance of still going- I’m just terrified of getting to the airport and there being an issue. I think the accommodation won’t be such an issue hopefully. It’s such a mess and to think just a few days ago things were brilliant and so much to look forward to together. In different circumstances I would just pull out of the holiday and rebook something later in the year myself after saving some more but the holiday is almost here and the two older girls are just so excited I don’t want to let them down when it’s not their fault. Taking four children on my own would definitely not be my choice.

My husband has a complicated business life and sometimes has to cancel a trip home to go somewhere else instead. This happened just last week on a return flight from Dubai and my husband had to stay. We all flew home and he checked us in online, sent me a screenshot of the boarding passes and we flew home. He did let the airline know he wouldn’t be flying but there’s been times when he hasn’t had the time to do this. I’ve done this at the airport instead by showing our boarding passes and then letting them know that X (husband’s name) won’t be flying. I’ve never had a problem with this and usually they just say something like ‘thanks for letting us know’. I can’t honestly say if I’d booked the flights or he had as we both book flights but I think as long as you have a valid boarding pass that’s all that matters.
Can you ring the airline nearer the time and discuss all this, do you have all the booking references etc?

If your partner is the lead passenger then you’re not able to travel without him, he’ll have to change it to you for a charge

I would check the terms and conditions for both the flights and the accommodation, and swe what they say about changes to the passengers.

You may also need to notify the insurance company. If he goes they may need to know about the recent health change. If he doesn't they may need to know he isn't travelling.

Hope you manage to go and have a good time.

^^ This has not been my experience, so it may be airline dependent.

Will you be able to check in for the flights and get the boarding passes ? Have you got access to his email to get the hotel confirmation? If it’s all paid for, I wouldn’t worry too much although the hotel will want to see your passports but as long as it’s paid, you have the booking and you explain that he is too unwell to travel (that’s the truth), they shouldn’t be awkward.. but you could contact them yourself. Do you have proof that you live at the same address? Tell them he’s unwell and change the lead booking name

Tbh the hotel could be the issue not the flight as they always want passports. You should contact them by email and say your husband is too unwell to come and you will still be coming. Give them the booking reference and ask them to change the lead name. Then you’ll know it’s all ok and have proof in writing

When we flew back from Greece they would not accept screenshot of boarding passes, had to be the real pdf that the lead booker had. Screenshot do not scan. Just get him to send you the pdfs.

Wow, I guess every airline is different then, I did say to check with the airline which I think really needs doing here as we’re all quoting what has worked for us but it seems every case is different. I’ve used screenshots many times but there must be some airlines that won’t accept it. I hope the OP checks both the airline and hotel to make this all a lot less stressful!

What airline have you booked with? Ryanair wouldn’t let me check in online last year until I have the whole group (10 people) details, one had to order a new passport so was delayed.
Tui have been amazing with things like this before though, I just phoned customer services and it was sorted in minutes.

We’ve never been able to continue our holiday if lead named person has pulled out, they’ve had to change name of lead person