Hotels.com refusing refund

digitig

I booked a hotel in Birmingham through Hotels.com for a conference over Easter. Obviously, the hotel cancelled my booking because of the COVID-19 issue, but Hotels.com says they won't give me a refund, just a voucher for future accommodation with a time limit on it, which is useless to me because I now have no reason to go to Birmingham within the time limit. Unfortunately, I paid by debit, not credit, card, so I can't claim back under the credit card charge-back system. I realise that if the worst I suffer from the COVID-19 situation is that I'm a couple of hundred pounds out of pocket then I'll be doing better than many, but is there anything I can do to get my money back? 

Browntoa

Nothing you can do , ABTA is now backing the vouchers scheme

comeandgo

Would the voucher be transferable, could you sell it on to someone who would use it?

digitig

Browntoa said:

Nothing you can do , ABTA is now backing the vouchers scheme

As far as I can see, ABTA is endorsing refund credit notes, not vouchers. A refund credit note is exchangeable for a full refund if unused at the end of the expiry period, and retains all financial protections of the original booking; the voucher I have been offered does neither of those things.

Tammykitty

I have tried a charge back on my credit card. I would happily accept a hotels.com voucher, but not one only reedeemable aginst the same hotel.
The hotel was under £100 so i can't do a s75 claim, but can still try for a chargeback - and i think you can on debit card too?

Hotels.com say it the fault of the hotel, but my contract is with hotels.com

I have a chat transcript showing my discussion with them, and have said that i am not happy with their decision and may take further action (ie smalls claim?)

Tammykitty

digitig said:

Browntoa said:

Nothing you can do , ABTA is now backing the vouchers scheme

As far as I can see, ABTA is endorsing refund credit notes, not vouchers. A refund credit note is exchangeable for a full refund if unused at the end of the expiry period, and retains all financial protections of the original booking; the voucher I have been offered does neither of those things. 

This is a good solution - if people can afford it, and ther is a chance they might use it - a voucher which can still be refunded would be good