Eurostart Inflexibility may cost us our holiday booking

PaulyH

EDIT: Mean't to say EUROSTAR in the title obviously

I appreciate I may not have a leg to stand on here and it's probably my own fault too but wondered if anyone has any advice they may offer.

I booked 2 train tickets to France on the Eurostar at a cost of £600 (£300ea). I booked with the standard non flexible option which essentially mean't no refunds or exchanges of tickets.

From originally reading their website at booking stage and consequently when analysing the booking policy the definition of exchangeable suggests this refers to dates and times, not names.

We recently found out my wife is pregnant and will not be able to do the long journey nor the week skiing we had planned.

Now, I thought Eurostar would have no problem making a clerical change of name to a different friend or relative who may be able to go in my wife's place.
However no. They won't under any circumstances allow a change of name. They have offered me a change of date or time (which was not allowed under the terms I booked) but no name change. Not even at their discretion nor under compassionate grounds. So, unless I go on my own (which I would rather not do of course) I have lost my holiday and everything else already booked.

I am not covered under travel insurance as the reason my wife cannot go now is considered 'choice'. Which I understand, however I did wonder how many pregnant women choose to go skiing at 6 months pregnant.

So. I completely understand this is all my fault for not booking the more expensive flexible ticket but wondered if anyone had any advice or guidance I can take, or do I just suck it up and move on?

lea2012

Would it not be possible to still use the tickets, and still go on holiday, but simply not ski?
There are plenty of hotels in ski resorts with indoor pools, spas etc where you could go and simply relax for the week. If you're heading to the French Alps there's quite a few cookery courses on offer too which you could try instead?
Or could you perhaps change the dates and just have a few days away rather than a full week?

Alan_Bowen

Eurostar check tickets by machine and generally there is no link to the passport so there may be no issue with someone else travelling in your wifes's place. Certainly St Pancras shouldn't be a problem for departures, but if you are on the ski train I have no idea what the checks are like on the return journey, skiing and I are not a happy combination!

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

PaulyH wrote: »

EDIT: Mean't to say EUROSTAR in the title obviously

I think you can change it within Advanced Edit.

And it may be small comfort but £600 is a low price to pay for the the future joys of parenthood. Congratulations!

PaulyH

Thank you for your comments.

In relation to going ahead with the holiday anyway yes we could. But it is not just the skiing but the very long stint on the train.

£600 is a small amount in comparison although it would be more than that lost if we do not go. Chalet booking also. (which is transferable but not refundable)

Voyager2002

PaulyH wrote: »

In relation to going ahead with the holiday anyway yes we could. But it is not just the skiing but the very long stint on the train.

Is that a medical opinion? If so, travel insurance might become relevant.

callum9999

The reason pregnancy will come under "choice" is because, even if it wasn't planned, it was something you were both solely responsible for. It doesn't mean they expect pregnant women to go skiing so won't cover you if you don't!

gettingtheresometime

PaulyH wrote: »

In relation to going ahead with the holiday anyway yes we could. But it is not just the skiing but the very long stint on the train.

How long a trip are we talking about?

apesxx

How long is the train journey? Lots of people travel everyday whilst pregnant. If she's having a normal healthy pregnancy then I don't see why she couldn't go, Obviously missing out the skiing bit! To many people these days are quick to treat pregnancy as some sort of disability.

FBaby

6 months pregnant is the best time to go (over the sickness bit, not yet like an elephant!). I did that exact trip when I was 5 1/2 and that was on my own with a 2 year old! I don't recall any issues whatsoever because of pregnancy.