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Non refundable hotel booking

Booked a non refundable hotel in London and chose not to go after the Paris attacks, the hotel said we could not get any money back but would keep the booking open for a couple of months, unfortunately with babysitters, Christmas and new year commitments we are unable to use it in the next couple of months.

I've heard rumours (in Scotland) you have to offer a percentage of the money back even though it was booked as non refundable?
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Comments

  • London50
    London50 Posts: 1,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    That may or may not be true but as the room you booked was in England the rules {even for the same company COULD be different and we also know rumours can never be trusted.
  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    NJP2810 wrote: »
    Booked a non refundable hotel in London and chose not to go after the Paris attacks, the hotel said we could not get any money back but would keep the booking open for a couple of months, unfortunately with babysitters, Christmas and new year commitments we are unable to use it in the next couple of months.

    I've heard rumours (in Scotland) you have to offer a percentage of the money back even though it was booked as non refundable?
    I haven't heard that rumour.

    Have a read of this post entitled Is a deposit ever refundable?:
    It is my opinion that you chose the lower price whilst being aware of the terms, and as such no refund should be made.

    I think the hotel are being generous in allowing you the flexibility of a later booking.
  • daytona0
    daytona0 Posts: 2,358 Forumite
    Ironically, when you think of the Tunisia and Paris attacks (lets not delve into other worldwide terrorist attacks because frankly English people aren't TOO bothered about those) but it was probably much much safer to visit the countries shortly after this.

    Terrorist attacks lead to a huge, and often temporary, increase in security not to mention elimination of the immediate threats (those who blew themselves up in Paris). The fact that the others have been hunted down relentlessly also serves as a point. Suffice to say that it was *probably* the safest time for you to visit London (which is already much better defended than Paris for a number of reasons).

    That's just a logical point about your reason for cancelling, but you did and the legal aspect needs exploring.

    Suffice to say that you have cost the hotel some money by cancelling. You should be liable for those losses. What they amount to is up for debate, so you can certainly query this with the hotel.

    On a 'bottom line' level I'm astounded that you've ended up in this situation, but I suppose I can appreciate the apprehension based on the Paris attacks (even though they are highly unlikely to be accurate).
  • How much are we talking about?
    “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself.”
    ― Groucho Marx
  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    How much are we talking about?
    Why, what difference does that make?
  • 150940
    150940 Posts: 153 Forumite
    daytona0 wrote: »
    Ironically, when you think of the Tunisia and Paris attacks (lets not delve into other worldwide terrorist attacks because frankly English people aren't TOO bothered about those) but it was probably much much safer to visit the countries shortly after this.

    Terrorist attacks lead to a huge, and often temporary, increase in security not to mention elimination of the immediate threats (those who blew themselves up in Paris). The fact that the others have been hunted down relentlessly also serves as a point. Suffice to say that it was *probably* the safest time for you to visit London (which is already much better defended than Paris for a number of reasons).

    That's just a logical point about your reason for cancelling, but you did and the legal aspect needs exploring.

    Suffice to say that you have cost the hotel some money by cancelling. You should be liable for those losses. What they amount to is up for debate, so you can certainly query this with the hotel.

    On a 'bottom line' level I'm astounded that you've ended up in this situation, but I suppose I can appreciate the apprehension based on the Paris attacks (even though they are highly unlikely to be accurate).

    But only if they weren't/aren't able to rebook the room.
  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    150940 wrote: »
    daytona0 wrote: »
    You should be liable for those losses.
    But only if they weren't/aren't able to rebook the room.
    No.

    The OP should be liable for those losses whether or not the room is re-let.

    Daytona0 was talking about extra costs incurred as a direct result of the OP's cancellation.
  • 150940
    150940 Posts: 153 Forumite
    wealdroam wrote: »
    No.

    The OP should be liable for those losses whether or not the room is re-let.

    Daytona0 was talking about extra costs incurred as a direct result of the OP's cancellation.

    If they filled the room at the same price the extra cost would be what? Zero.
  • 150940 wrote: »
    If they filled the room at the same price the extra cost would be what? Zero.


    How about any admin costs involved in taking the first booking then arranging for the refund to be paid out?
  • JReacher1
    JReacher1 Posts: 4,663 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    How about any admin costs involved in taking the first booking then arranging for the refund to be paid out?

    That implies the hotel would recruit someone especially to do this refund. The reality is it will be processed within five minutes by a member of staff they would be employing anyway so no additional costs

    Admin costs to cover general business processes by already employed staff are frankly a bit of a scam.
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