What would happen to the honeymoon deposit?

Mrsmoneypenny

For a while my friend has been saving up to get married, eventually the cash was in place, the dress was chosen, the registry office was booked, the honeymoon (USA) was decided upon and the deposit for the honeymoon was paid.
Then quite unexpected my friend has becme pregnant and the baby is due around a month after the wedding. :eek:
Now after the initial shock, she and her partner are extremely happy, they will reschedule the wedding for before or after the birth.:j Which is probably the better option rather than getting married on the day in the delivery suite:doh:
My question is; what would happen to the deposit which has been paid for the honeymoon? She has been told that if the doctor provides a letter as proof of the due date she would have the deposit returned?:think:
This seems far too easy, although i do think it is a bit extreme to go to the trouble/expense of becoming pregnant just so you can get £300 back from the agent. No insurance is in place, although this would have been bought nearer the time.:laugh:
Any information from anyone who has been in a similar position would be really appreciated. :grouphug:

got-it-spend-it

I think that sounds perfectly reasonable that the deposit is returned upon medical proof! All she needs is a letter from the Doctor or midwife proving she is pregnant and they can re-schedule the honeymoon (or not...).

I don't see a problem (unless I've misread what you've written).

Mrsmoneypenny

Yes I suppose it does sound perfectly reasonable, the wedding will be re-scheduled as soon as possible. No you didnt misread anything that i have written. Thanks for your view on it.

honeypop

I enquired to our travel agent about this same thing as while wedding planning I too became pregnant and wondered about changing honeymoon plans. They will not refund a deposit, even with a letter from a doctor, this is what insurance would have been for (always best to take it out when booking the holiday rather than closer to the departure date, for reasons like having to cancel for medical reasons etc). In their t&c's they will probably find it says the deposit is non-refundable.

They will however be able to reschedule the honeymoon to another time and the deposit will be used against the new holiday, although there may be charges for the amendment to the booking, sometimes they'll waive this though if it's a fairly hassle free amendment.

Who told her she would be able to get the deposit back, because if it was the travel agent then yes I guess she has a chance, but normally they wouldn't simply refund for this reason, and I can understand why not, a deposit is so the company doesn't lose money if the rest of the outstanding money isn't paid for any reason.

Savvy_Sue

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photome

As honeypop says, she wont/shouldnt get her deposit back, that would have been the job of the insurance that should always be taken out at the time of booking.

IMO rescheduling will be the best option and take the baby with them

Incapuppy

I don't think insurance would have covered this anyway, a list of exclusions generally apply to pregnancy/childbirth.

Pooky23

It is very unlikely that she will get her deposit back. The tour operator will have something in the terms and conditions which will explain this. The deposit is only usually refundable due to complications with regards to pregnancy and that is only through insurance. As they haven't even bought insurance there is no chance.

Their best bet is to arrange to reschedule the honeymoon to a later or earlier date. For this, the travel agent or tour operator will probably charge an administration fee so don't be surprised. They should also get themselves sorted out with insurance asap but will need to declare the pregnancy to any insurance company they get a quote from.

richardw

Mrsmoneypenny wrote: »

No insurance is in place, although this would have been bought nearer the time.

False economy, as others have said.

dzug1

Most travel companies have a 'no return of deposit' clause in their T&C.

However a few may not - and even fewer may in some circumstances waive the rule. OP may have been lucky enough to book with one of these.

xcat_girlx

i would suspect they'll let them move the holiday. it will prob mean paying more but she wouldnt be safe to fly during that time anyway regardles of if theres complications or not.