Cancelling a holiday with booking.com

missile

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

Booking.com don't refund because they don't have your money to refund.The hotel does, but they're reknown for lying and blaming booking.com. Only the hotel can authorise a refund.

I frequently use Booking.com and many times used the no refund option. I fully understand the T&Cs.

Now I feel the saving is not worth the risk. :beer:

maman

missile wrote: »

I frequently use Booking.com and many times used the no refund option. I fully understand the T&Cs.

Now I feel the saving is not worth the risk. :beer:

I'd have thought it should have been obvious to OP that the two price levels offered were precisely because of the risk involved.

Personally I do choose the non refundable option (usually just for short hotel stays) but I do have annual travel insurance for emergencies like illness.

mattyprice4004

They're not passing the buck, because there's no buck to pass - you bought a non-refundable service, so you either use it or don't; you still have to pay.

I use Booking.com all the time, and there's absolutely no way you managed to 'accidentally' book a non refundable holiday accidentally unless you mashed the keyboard with your eyes closed - it's all clear as day (and even in different colours for refundable and non refundable!)

We all make mistakes, unfortunately this one's gonna cost you. Sorry

twopenny

Phone Booking.com and explain the situation. Get the number of the hotel and explain the situation.
Be nice, be polite. There are some occasions they will change dates or refund a payment but usually when it is for some genuine reason for not being able to turn up.
Don't make anything up. They will know. They've heard it all before.
It's pure chance whether they will or not because you engaged in a legal contract when booking and in this case is was 'non refundable'

But if you don't try you'll never know

Pollycat

twopenny wrote: »

Phone Booking.com and explain the situation. Get the number of the hotel and explain the situation.
Be nice, be polite. There are some occasions they will change dates or refund a payment but usually when it is for some genuine reason for not being able to turn up.
Don't make anything up. They will know. They've heard it all before.
It's pure chance whether they will or not because you engaged in a legal contract when booking and in this case is was 'non refundable'

But if you don't try you'll never know

It appears the OP has already spoken to the accommodation:

Gem26 wrote: »

Has anyone tried to cancel a non refundable accommodation with booking.com?
I paid in full not realising it was non refundable, I need to cancel booking which is for June 2020. I was hoping with me giving them 6 Months notice they would agree to some refund. Both booking.com and the property [/B]are passing the buck. I don't know where I stand and who to go to, any advice is welcome??

leylandsunaddict

Phone Booking.com and explain the situation.

They can't authorise a refund only the hotel can. She's already contacted them and they appear unwilling to even accept it's down to them.

missile

maman wrote: »

I'd have thought it should have been obvious to OP that the two price levels offered were precisely because of the risk involved.

Personally I do choose the non refundable option (usually just for short hotel stays) but I do have annual travel insurance for emergencies like illness.

I too have travel insurance, but you might want to cancel for reason not covered by T&Cs. It can also be a hassle to provide the evidence to support your claim. In my case insurance provider wanted proof that relative had died and evidence from doctor that it was not a pre-existing condition. :eek:

One can be sneaky and book a refundable room then cancel and re-book a non-refundable room near the date.

Pollycat

We always have travel insurance, we have an annual policy.
We have booked refundable and non-refundable rooms on booking.com, depending on the circumstances.
If I'm planning on going to a concert, I'll book a refundable room before the tickets are released and if I can't get seats I'm happy with, I'll decide not to go and cancel the room.
If we decide to go on a weekend away, I'll almost certainly choose the non-refundable option.
It's a choice each person can make for themselves depending on their own circumstances.

It's hard to see how the OP didn't realise that their booking was non-refundable.
The website is very clear.

maman

missile wrote: »

One can be sneaky and book a refundable room then cancel and re-book a non-refundable room near the date.

Good thinking.:)

JosephK

The closer you get to the date, the refundable & non-refundable rates usually become nearly identical.