Travel Republic

wkt54

A month ago I booked 5 holidays in a hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.  I paid in total.
I have been using Travel Republic for 20 years and never had a problem.
I phoned the hotel and they said they have not received the bookings.
I then sent them by email my 5 booking vouchers which I received from TR and they still say we are not accepting them
as they haven't received any bookings.
Is a booking voucher which shows you have booked and paid in full with TR not acceptable from some hotels?
I sent TR messages last week but understandably why they haven' replied yet.
But I do not understand when I sent the hotel my booking vouchers from TR, they are still saying I cannot stay with them, until they receive a booking from TR.

wkt54

Has anyone received a credit voucher yet from Travel Republic?

harrychown

As an update, TR sent emails recently saying we could refuse the credit note for a refund. I got an update on my portal today. It says I'm not eligible for a refund and they'll be giving me a credit note. Of course the credit note will be worthless due to price hikes. I replied with a new customer service request demanding my refund otherwise I'll be taking legal advice. No way of contacting them. The damage they're willing to put on their reputation is astounding. I'll only ever be booking with reputable firms like Jet2 in future as my one and only dealing with TR has been criminal (not to mention them trying to increase my holiday by £150 a week after booking which ended in hours of angry phone calls).
Will never rebook with TR again or recommend them to anyone. 

harrychown

jakkigers said:

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.

I've just got one saying I'm not eligible for a refund and that I'll be getting a credit note. Utter horse ****. Emailed them threatening them with legal action. Chancers. Ruining their reputation. 

Westin

@harrychown:  Did you book just a hotel from Travel Republic? Was it a non-refundable room rate?  If so I don’t believe they have to refund you. They may approach their supplier/hotel to seek a concession on the rate plan but I don’t believe their is any requirement to offer a free cancellation and refund on a non-refundable rate.  Travel Republic may offer a credit voucher as a goodwill gesture, but again not obligated to.  If you are unable to travel whilst holding a non-refundable room and the supplier is not offering a refund then your travel insurer is the normal and best next step to make.

wkt54

What difference does it make at this time, if you book a non-refundable room?
The travel companies are changing the rules by not giving cash refunds when they should do.
So if you book a non-refundable holiday, are they saying, these are our rules, and we cannot give you a refund, even a credit voucher?
They cancelled everyone's bookings because of the FCO warning, so I would have imagined even if you booked a non refundable room, they would at least offer a credit voucher.

Westin

wkt54 said:

What difference does it make at this time, if you book a non-refundable room?
The travel companies are changing the rules by not giving cash refunds when they should do.
So if you book a non-refundable holiday, are they saying, these are our rules, and we cannot give you a refund, even a credit voucher?
They cancelled everyone's bookings because of the FCO warning, so I would have imagined even if you booked a non refundable room, they would at least offer a credit voucher.

It is all down to where the liability falls.

Certain limiting conditions and options are traded off against an often cheaper rate.  No refunds on a non refundable purchase being one of those. 

Some travel firms may offer a credit over and above what they need to do, others will stick to the terms of the sale and expect the customer to approach their travel insurer to recover costs.

soolin

Non refundable should mean that we as travellers can’t expect a refund if we cancel. Does it also now mean that a hotel can close, for whatever reason, or overbook and then turn round and say hard luck, the room was non refundable. 

I know the counter argument will be that these are unusual times, but might it not set a worrying precedent. Next time a hotel has too many staff off sick, or fancy a few days off they just close and tell customers that they won’t honour the booking and they won’t refund as room was non refundable. 

If a hotel cancels the booking or is not open and won’t refund remember you can always try a chargeback or section 75 claim , the MSE guide is here:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/visa-mastercard-chargeback/

Westin

I would agree Soolin, if the hotel is closed.

I had been replying to posts made by harrychown.  I don’t believe he/she referenced a closed hotel, or indeed the type of rate plan booked.  I asked if it was non-refundable and started to comment on what might be the case if indeed a non-refundable rate purchased.

wkt54

Non refundable should mean that we as travellers can’t expect a refund if we cancel.
I fully agree with the travel companies who will not issue a refund if you cancel a non refundable booking.
But in these 'usual times' - it is not the traveller who is cancelling non-refundable voluntarily.