Hotel booked but need to cancel

longwalks1

I booked a hotel in Brighton for 2 nights for this weekend a while ago, and paid online through Hotels.com. Beginning of the month I had a small operation and was told 2 weeks recovery time, this has now changed due to complications and I'm due back in to hospital tomorrow. I spoke to Hotel.com cust service who said the hotel wouldnt issue a refund because it is too close to the checking in day (I could of cancelled up to the 21st Oct, today is 24th and only just found out today I'm going back to hospital).

Is there any way I can get a refund, the Hotels.com guy wasnt overly helpful and said i could either transfer booking to someone else (not an option) or just pay for it and earn my points towards a free night, which isnt very cost effective.

Is there any way I can get a refund, as I physically can not go anymore?

wealdroam

britishboy wrote: »

I booked a hotel in Brighton for 2 nights for this weekend a while ago, and paid online through Hotels.com. Beginning of the month I had a small operation and was told 2 weeks recovery time, this has now changed due to complications and I'm due back in to hospital tomorrow. I spoke to Hotel.com cust service who said the hotel wouldnt issue a refund because it is too close to the checking in day (I could of cancelled up to the 21st Oct, today is 24th and only just found out today I'm going back to hospital).

Is there any way I can get a refund, the Hotels.com guy wasnt overly helpful and said i could either transfer booking to someone else (not an option) or just pay for it and earn my points towards a free night, which isnt very cost effective.

Is there any way I can get a refund, as I physically can not go anymore?

No, I don't believe there is.

elsien

If you were insured you could claim on that, although for 2 nights in the UK I'm guessing you didn't bother.
Otherwise it's down to their terms and conditions - some bookings are refundable and some aren't. If you went for a cheaper non-refundable option, there's your answer. What does your specific booking say - hotels.com are usually fairly upfront about this.

k3lvc

britishboy wrote: »

I booked a hotel in Brighton for 2 nights for this weekend a while ago, and paid online through Hotels.com. Beginning of the month I had a small operation and was told 2 weeks recovery time, this has now changed due to complications and I'm due back in to hospital tomorrow. I spoke to Hotel.com cust service who said the hotel wouldnt issue a refund because it is too close to the checking in day (I could of cancelled up to the 21st Oct, today is 24th and only just found out today I'm going back to hospital).

Is there any way I can get a refund, the Hotels.com guy wasnt overly helpful and said i could either transfer booking to someone else (not an option) or just pay for it and earn my points towards a free night, which isnt very cost effective.

Is there any way I can get a refund, as I physically can not go anymore?

Depending on the hotel and it's desirability stick it on Ebay - at least you may recoup some of the loss (and again depending on the hotel/group you may still earn the points)

Zandoni

How about phoning the hotel manager he/she may at least let you go on another date.

LilElvis

If you have an annual travel policy it's possible you might be able to claim, though only likely if you had previously advised them of your medical condition.

wealdroam

Britishboy, be careful if thinking about selling your booking.

If the purchaser of your booking decides to trash the place, you will get the bill.

Probably best to only sell to someone you know and trust.

unholyangel

If you have a paid for bank account, check that too on top of whats already been suggested. Lots of them offer free travel insurance (and other perks).

LilElvis

unholyangel wrote: »

If you have a paid for bank account, check that too on top of whats already been suggested. Lots of them offer free travel insurance (and other perks).

I've got a Barclays Premier one and you need to notify them of medical conditions, tests, ops, changes in medication etc in advance of the travel dates. I/we have had exclusions placed on the cover for the most banal conditions that have been treated in the weeks before travel, including ear infections, a broken thumb and an ovarian cyst.

rhino_horn

Definitely phone the hotel direct. See if you can move the booking to a different date.

boliston

there seem to be quite a few sites that resell cancelled rooms - not sure which is the best but i was reading an article that says it is changing the whole way hotels discount non-cancellable rooms