Travel Republic

jakkigers

I had an accommodation only booking with TR (20-24 March).  TR now telling me booking cancelled and I will be given a credit note.  I know it’s unprecedented times but I would have expected a refund (like the airlines have done).  With all the problems that travel companies are facing who can say TR will remain in operation?  Any advice would be appreciated.

daydream_believer

I have had the same email, i have replied telling them I want a refund not a credit note, I thought they didn't pay hotel until the guests had completed their stay anyway so i don't know why they wouldn't just refund. The crisis could still be ongoing in six months time.

jbainbridge

We've received the same message tonight.
Now the travel ban has been announced our insurance would pay out ... but this would be minus an excess. A full refund would be better than a credit note!

Seaside_Lass

We have a package holiday booked with Travel Republic, due to fly 7th April. We have paid only for the flights, payment for the accommodation is due next Tuesday.  We have tonight been informed that the holiday has been cancelled and we will receive a credit note that is valid for 6 months from receipt! Who knows what the situation will be in 6 months time! I really would prefer a refund. Also, as we have not yet paid for the accommodation, where do I stand if I just stop the payment from going through? I can't claim on my travel insurance either (which I shouldn't have to anyway) as it doesn't cover FCO advice to not travel!

morrow56

I am exactly the same, email late last night...emailed them back that credit note is unacceptable, no one knows where we will be re Coronavirus in 6 months or whether Travel Republic would be in a position to fulfill that credit note
Hoping someone from MSE can offer some sound advice
I was meant to fly this Sat.

jbainbridge

My understanding is that those with a 'package' i.e flights and accommodation are entitled to a full refund. This thread is to clarify what those with accommodation only are entitled to now Travel Republic have cancelled it?

Alan_Bowen

Travel Republic's booking conditions state that if you book accommodation on its own, your contract is with the hotel and not them, they are just an agent for the hotel. In those circumstances, a credit note may be the best you can hope for as the Package Travel Regulations will not apply. Travel Republic is part of Dnata which is linked to the Emirates Group. Unless the oil runs out, I think they are good for another 6 months

wkt54

I have booked 5 holidays with them in a hotel in Sharm el Sheikh starting from 26 March.
5 days in the hotel, 7 in my apartment, 5 in the hotel etc, until 19 May.
They cancelled 2 last night saying FCO have issued a travel warning.
I am not travelling.  I am already here in Sharm.
They told me today they are not giving refunds, just credit notes.
I have booked into another hotel for 2 nights from tomorrow with Quickrooms and so far not received a cancellation email.

harrychown

RE PACKAGE HOLIDAY BOOKINGS WITH TRAVEL REPUBLIC
I had a holiday booked with Travel Republic (due to fly out to Spain on 4th April 2020). Due to FCO advice I too have received the email from TR saying that they will be cancelling my holiday (that's fine) and issuing me a "credit note" (that's definitely not fine...)
A few points on that:
1 - A credit note is pretty much worthless if the holiday you want to re-book ends up costing a lot more than the original one (which it will due to demand and due to the fact TR will raise prices due to wanting to recoup losses). You'll have to pay the difference between your credit note value and the price of the new holiday. I.e. if your original holiday had cost £500 for 2 people and they've offered you a £500 credit note, the likelihood is that the same holiday to the same destination from the same airports could cost £1500+ on dates later in the year. You'll be paying the difference.
2 - There's no guarantee Travel Republic will still be operating when you want to redeem your credit note. (In which case your holiday is ATOL protected and you claim through ATOL anyway).
3 - Travel Republic have closed their phone lines and made it impossible to contact them through your online portal. They have sent us all messages DICTATING (with no possibility to say otherwise) that we will be receiving a credit note. They don't even mention refunds or how to request one. What happens when this credit note lands in your account? They'll say you accepted it because you didn't state otherwise.
4 - They do have an email address relating to package holiday cancellations (pkgcancellation@travelrepublic.co.uk). Email them telling them you are refusing the credit note and that you require a full refund. Tell them that it's in their Terms of Business that they will offer you a refund if they cancel your trip. (It IS in their Terms of Business in section 8). You can find the link at the bottom of their homepage. 
5 - Don't let them bully you. Don't accept the credit note. Keep all documentation such as emails as proof of you stating in black and white that you don't want the credit note. They have to refund you. It may take some time, but you will get a refund. If they go bust, you're covered by ATOL. 
Note this applies to package holidays with flight and accommodation booked in single transaction. 
 

Seaside_Lass

harrychown said:

RE PACKAGE HOLIDAY BOOKINGS WITH TRAVEL REPUBLIC
I had a holiday booked with Travel Republic (due to fly out to Spain on 4th April 2020). Due to FCO advice I too have received the email from TR saying that they will be cancelling my holiday (that's fine) and issuing me a "credit note" (that's definitely not fine...)
A few points on that:
1 - A credit note is pretty much worthless if the holiday you want to re-book ends up costing a lot more than the original one (which it will due to demand and due to the fact TR will raise prices due to wanting to recoup losses). You'll have to pay the difference between your credit note value and the price of the new holiday. I.e. if your original holiday had cost £500 for 2 people and they've offered you a £500 credit note, the likelihood is that the same holiday to the same destination from the same airports could cost £1500+ on dates later in the year. You'll be paying the difference.
2 - There's no guarantee Travel Republic will still be operating when you want to redeem your credit note. (In which case your holiday is ATOL protected and you claim through ATOL anyway).
3 - Travel Republic have closed their phone lines and made it impossible to contact them through your online portal. They have sent us all messages DICTATING (with no possibility to say otherwise) that we will be receiving a credit note. They don't even mention refunds or how to request one. What happens when this credit note lands in your account? They'll say you accepted it because you didn't state otherwise.
4 - They do have an email address relating to package holiday cancellations (pkgcancellation@travelrepublic.co.uk). Email them telling them you are refusing the credit note and that you require a full refund. Tell them that it's in their Terms of Business that they will offer you a refund if they cancel your trip. (It IS in their Terms of Business in section 8). You can find the link at the bottom of their homepage. 
5 - Don't let them bully you. Don't accept the credit note. Keep all documentation such as emails as proof of you stating in black and white that you don't want the credit note. They have to refund you. It may take some time, but you will get a refund. If they go bust, you're covered by ATOL. 
Note this applies to package holidays with flight and accommodation booked in single transaction. 
 

I have not yet paid for the accommodation part of my package, that is due next Tuesday. Can I just cancel the payment? At least then its only the flights that I need to get refunded. And it looks as though Air Malta are offering refunds now.

morrow56

Just a small update from myself
I phoned AXA my insurer and they advised I must make my claim off Travel Republic because I booked a package holiday
Thanks to Harrychown for his post, I am now going to follow his advice and email Travel Republic

This is going to be a long road I think

Thanks again Harrychown