Money Moral Dilemma: Should we reimburse our guest's train tickets?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

We invited an elderly friend who lives a long way away to visit us for a few days but had to ask her to cancel at short notice due to illness, after she'd booked her train tickets. Should we refund the cost?

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sulphate

No. It was her choice to book in advance, presumably

Spendless

She will have booked in advance to get cheaper tickets. I'd look at it the other way round, invite her again and pay on this occasion.

mgdavid

relevant bit for me is 'cancel at short notice'.
On that basis, Yes.

Red-Squirrel_2

Yes, surprised you have to ask, you should have offered to pay at the same time as you cancelled.

She may well refuse, but you did need to offer.

19lottie82

I would offer, yes.

hazyjo

I would also offer.

Kim_13

If off peak or anytime tickets were booked, she can claim a refund from the train company less £10 admin fee, so it would reduce the bill.

I would also offer. She may not want to come another time if she is left out of pocket. I would not want to risk losing a friend over a small(ish) amount of money. If you are not able to afford the full amount at once at this time, make her aware of your circumstances and pay as and when you can.

Alternatively, it's possible to change the date on an advance ticket if the original date hadn't passed yet. You could offer another date and pay the admin fee(s) for her instead. There's a fee per ticket to be changed.

Lady_S

I would pay her train tickets aswell, just politeness if you have caused the expense.

mr_munchem

I would offer to pay her back or offer to pay when you re-schedule?

Petaldust

Offer to go halves at least.