Hotel cancelled

Robste84

Hi,
I booked a 4 day holiday to Amsterdam way back in January due to fly out today (23rd march) obviously due to covid 19 travel has been banned. KLM have concelled the flight which was confirmed 18/03/20. They have offered a voucher valid for 1 year. My hotel are charging the full amount and have said I can re book at which point they will tell me if the new date will cost more or less.
The issue i have is that I dont know when I'll be able to travel again due to the school situation with the children and the fact that I dont know when the ban will be lifted. I didnt take the cancellation insurance because I wasnt cancelling.
What are our rights regarding this sort of thing  as I'd rather have my money back and rebook when it suits me rather than being pinned to a set time frame. Surly if a service can't be supplied we should be entitled to a refund? Any guidance would be much appreciated. I could understand a hotel or company not refunding if you cancel last minute as they could have sold the product to someone else thus they would be out of pocket however this not the case under the current climate.

davidmcn

Did you book the hotel directly? If so then the answer will be whatever Netherlands law says, though I'd expect you should be entitled to a refund. Do you not have other insurance?

JReacher1

Is the hotel still open?
They could argue it is not their fault that you can’t get to the hotel. 

Robste84

I booked it through booking.com however they have pretty much said it's up to the hotel and have shirked any responsibility. I have insurance but dont want to use it as my premiums will increase for something in would say is unfair

Robste84

JReacher1 said:

Is the hotel still open?
They could argue it is not their fault that you can’t get to the hotel. 

I thought that but amsterdam is also in lockdown, nobody can get in or out. All bars closed etc.

born_again

Robste84 said:

I booked it through booking.com however they have pretty much said it's up to the hotel and have shirked any responsibility. I have insurance but dont want to use it as my premiums will increase for something in would say is unfair

Well if they won't refund, then you will have to use the insurance.
Do not get the point of taking out insurance and not using it when needed unless you are only looking at a few £ over the excess.

Robste84

born_again said:

Robste84 said:

I booked it through booking.com however they have pretty much said it's up to the hotel and have shirked any responsibility. I have insurance but dont want to use it as my premiums will increase for something in would say is unfair

Well if they won't refund, then you will have to use the insurance.
Do not get the point of taking out insurance and not using it when needed unless you are only looking at a few £ over the excess.

It would be my house insurance I think, it's not something I believe I should be claiming though as I'll end up paying for it in the long run wont I. Surly the hotel would be insured. Also it's a principle thing, do we have to pay for a service we cant use?

comeandgo

It's your holiday insurance you claim off, not your household.  There is nothing to increase the next holiday insurance you take.  

Caz3121

Robste84 said:

It would be my house insurance I think,

house insurance will not help. You mention not taking 'cancellation insurance' but do you have travel insurance?

Robste84

Caz3121 said:

house insurance will not help. You mention not taking 'cancellation insurance' but do you have travel insurance?

It's all part of the house insurance package travel and home. I'm not saying these points arent valid but legally can they charge for a service that cant be provided. I really dont fancy claiming on my insurance for something that I dont see as my fault. Thousands of people must be in a similar situation.

DCFC79

Robste84 said:

Caz3121 said:

house insurance will not help. You mention not taking 'cancellation insurance' but do you have travel insurance?

It's all part of the house insurance package travel and home. I'm not saying these points arent valid but legally can they charge for a service that cant be provided. I really dont fancy claiming on my insurance for something that I dont see as my fault. Thousands of people must be in a similar situation.

Have you asked them to reconsider ?

Asked for a reason why you wont get a refund ?