Secret Escapes Profiteering from COVID-19

Ffmacfarle

My full package holiday to Mauritius was cancelled due to COVID-19. Secret Escapes emailed me to say they would credit the full cost of the holiday to my Secret Escapes account to be used against another holiday within 12 months. I have emailed them to ask for the money to be refunded to my original payment card. I am now on reduced income, with all children living back at home, and need my money back. I booked this holiday in good faith knowing SE to be ATOL registered. The rest of the nation is struggling and SE are keeping hold of would-be travellers’ funds. Secret escapes only allow communication via email or an online form and I’m getting no response. 

hollie.weimeraner

They’re doing what all travel firms are doing atm. If they refunded everyone that has had a holiday booked then all travel firms would go out of business. We had a hoseasons cottage booked and had no choice but to accept another date next year. We also have a TUI holiday booked for May and it appears we’ll be getting a credit note for that valid for 2 years. Strange times.

maisie_cat

That isn't profiteering, as hollie says they would all go bust if they paid everybody back. This really is the time that the rainy day fund is for, don't feel guilty about dipping into your savings at this time.

bradders1983

You think the travel companies are profiting from all of this?!

Oh dear.

heatherw_01

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.

pramsay13

You haven't lost the money as you had already spent it to go on a holiday. You have however missed out on a holiday and they are offering to give you another one in a few months time.

Pok3mon

I have a holiday booked with TUI in May not sure it will go ahead but unlikely. They are offering that i can change dates so we decided to do the same holiday dates and location, airport everything but was £900 more. How can this be? 

I want a refund and will buy agan in a sale and when there is more security. TBF TUI have my money they have not had to pay out for anything maybe some adminstration so a refund is fair. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Pok3mon said:

I have a holiday booked with TUI in May not sure it will go ahead but unlikely. They are offering that i can change dates so we decided to do the same holiday dates and location, airport everything but was £900 more. How can this be? 

Same dates exactly, or same dates next year?  Pricing is dynamic anyway, so it was unlikely to be the same.

Pok3mon said:

I want a refund and will buy agan in a sale and when there is more security. TBF TUI have my money they have not had to pay out for anything maybe some adminstration so a refund is fair. 

"maybe some administration" translates to "running a massive international travel company with no new income and none likely for a while".  A refund may be fair but if they refund everyone they will simply go bust and those not at the front of the queue will join a creditor list.

Pok3mon

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Pok3mon said:

I have a holiday booked with TUI in May not sure it will go ahead but unlikely. They are offering that i can change dates so we decided to do the same holiday dates and location, airport everything but was £900 more. How can this be? 

Same dates exactly, or same dates next year?  Pricing is dynamic anyway, so it was unlikely to be the same.

Pok3mon said:

I want a refund and will buy agan in a sale and when there is more security. TBF TUI have my money they have not had to pay out for anything maybe some adminstration so a refund is fair. 

"maybe some administration" translates to "running a massive international travel company with no new income and none likely for a while".  A refund may be fair but if they refund everyone they will simply go bust and those not at the front of the queue will join a creditor list.

It was the same dates exactly, and i would rather have a refund than a worthless voucher in 6 months when they go bust anyway.
It is about saving me money not big corporations.  
So far I have already lost car hire $120 travel insurance $55 Damage waver insurance $48. As well as another trip I had planed where TravelLodge are only giving vouchers another $70  How much of a hit am I supposed to take?
And I won't forget I got screwed by Thomas Cook last year. 2 weeks before I was supposed to go away and all the travel agents inflated prices because people still wanted there holidays. That cost me $500 more plus a overnight in hotel $60 plus 4 hours driving. First world problems I know but I don't feel sorry for the travel industry.

Aylesbury_Duck

It's not about feeling sorry for them.  The point I'm making is that if they refund people en masse, they will simply go bust and those who didn't get there in time will get nothing.  Literally nothing.  You may be one of the lucky ones, get in early and get your money.  Or not, and find that everyone got there before you.  Then what will you do?

Nebulous2

In general I’d take one on the chin, all for the greater good, take a voucher and see how it pans out. 

In practice I’m stuck abroad, having the second half of a return flight cancelled, with no support and no means to contact them. They had a duty of care and a responsibility to look after me, which they totally abdicated.  I’m so annoyed at my treatment that the moment I get home I’m going straight to letter before action and then filing a small claim as soon as the system allows me to.