Holiday cancellation

Phoebs38

Hi,
So here's my story. Myself and a friend booked a holiday and the full balance was paid off. However we had a fall out 2 weeks ago and as a result we no longer speak.
I texted my friend to say I was still happy to go on the holiday (and put our differences aside) (which was in 3 weeks time so we would get nothing back if we cancelled), but she sent me a text back clearly stating she no longer wanted to come and that any future messages I sent would go ignored (all kept by myself).
I told her if I found someone I would pay her what was due.

So I managed to find only one friend who was able to take up the offer and they out down the money for the name change (£70)- I knew my friend would eventually seek out to see if I had changed the name...but after a strongly worded final message beforehand clearly stating she would not answer any message I sent. I decided to wait for her to contact me.

A third person then added herself to my booking (they paid full holiday price- and more to add themselves to our booking.

So today (2 weeks prior to the holiday) my ex-friend has emailed to say that she spoke to the holiday company in question and they confirmed the name change- and she wants her money back.
I told her that I would stay true to my word and she would get the money (minus the £70 name change) charge, but told her that this could only be paid to her at the end of next month (in 31 days)- in full (I even gave her a date).
However she I not happy with this- she is questioning the amount of the "admin cost" for the name change (which I can easily prove with receipts). She is also demanding the money returned to her immediately by myself/ the person who is going on the holiday- she's claiming she is "paying for their holiday"

I've tried to reason with her that the person has actually done her a favour and she is getting back the full cost of her holiday- minus the admin fee, and pointed out if we had cancelled like she wanted- we both would have lost everything!
She isn't happy and even though I've stayed calm, she's insisting that I pay her back now and that only half the admin fee should be deducted.

I told her that due to the holiday in less than 2 weeks...I wasn't able to pay until next month.

Does anyone have an opinion on this? Do you know if I have any leg to stand on?

hcb42

Are you the lead name on the booking?
She can't change your holiday booking.
She could pursue for the money, but would be a bit pointless if you plan to pay soon.

Can you not give her some kind of deposit as a sweetener?

delwynshd

If you are the lead pax on the booking then there is nothing she can do

I wouldnt stress about it and try to resolve it between the both of you. I would suggest you send her a text saying this is your last to her with your offer and leave it at that

Del

Westin

It will all come down to who the lead name is on the booking. If it is you then you control the booking, can change the names and make the amendments. The other person can't without the lead name's permission.

peachyprice

Sorry, this doesn't make any sense to me.

I don't understand why you don't have your ex friends money now. Who did the friend who has taken her place pay the money to? Surely not the travel agent, they only needed the £70 name change. The third person should be paying the ex friend the full amount, less the £70, if she has given you the money why aren't you giving it straight to your friend?

I can see why your ex friend is not happy.

Phoebs38

Hiya yes i am the lead name.
I have emailed her my offer and confirmed the date it will be in and told her that we will leave it at that.

peachyprice

So where is the money the new traveller has paid?

Phoebs38

The person who booked actually only paid the name change .... They actually came as a favour (so we didnt lose the money and theyre paying me back (the rest of the holiday price)in installments after the holiday(i couldnt find a better offer at such short notice, otherwise we would have both lost the lot).

peachyprice

Ah, I see, so the third person, who has paid in full and more, isn't the same person who has taken the ex-friends place and paid the £70 name change. There are now three of you going.

Phoebs38

Yes sorry...that wasn't made very clear- they added themselves at a few days after the name change.

stephb34

Legally you are the lead so you can do what you want. If you hadn't got a friend to take her place you would have lost the lot or had to go on your own. I think you are being very reasonable giving her all her money back minus the £70. When you fell out was it your fault or hers? If it was hers i'd be tempted to not give her the money as she obviously didn't give a monkeys about you, if it was your fault then I would give her the money as that's only fair.