I shouldn't pay the balance for a holiday that's not going to happen....or should I?

frankiethemonkey

bagand96 said:

Whilst I understand you may not want to name them, it was only so other forum members may be able to read over the T&Cs etc to maybe offer you some further advice.

You say it's a house, is that the only thing you have booked with this company? Or have you booked some sort of package including flights?  The reason I ask is that if all you have booked it a villa/house etc they could claim that the house is there and available to use, even though you may not be able or permitted to get there to use it.

I'd prefer not to name them but I'd be happy to provide a copy of the contract we signed, which is a standard no-refund contract. And it's a house only.  You're spot on with what I am thinking too- they're just providing the accommodation and it's not their problem if we either can't get there at all, or can't get there in any sort of reasonable way.  Which is how I think they'll try to wriggle out of any cancellation or providing a refund, and why I hesitate to pay the balance.  As mentioned, this is an expensive holiday when looking at the total amount we are paying.  It is being split between multiple people which makes it relatively affordable to each individual, but looking at the amount we have laid out, and are still expected to pay, it's a lot.

frankiethemonkey

Life__Goes__On said:

Personal advice only
I would pay the balance via credit card.
I don't think there is any chance of going on holiday in 8 weeks  For the last 6 weeks Spain have banned adults from taking a walk, that is only being lifted next week. 
So to go from that to fully holiday in 8 weeks I believe will be impossible
If they refuse a credit card, I would rethink my options.

I don't think there is any realistic chance of going on holiday either!

Life__Goes__On

I would agree with the naming, if it makes a single person check other options like airbnb  then they would have been helped.

frankiethemonkey

Life__Goes__On said:

I would agree with the naming, if it makes a single person check other options like airbnb  then they would have been helped.

I will think about it, thank you!  I totally appreciate what you're saying.

[Deleted User]

Just wondering Frankie, how many people are on the booking and how much do you each individually lose if you cancel?  Then contact them all and ask if they are willing to pay the remainder or if they would prefer to cut their loses and lose the deposit? 

I would weigh up what is most important to you e.g. losing say £200 each or paying the rest and joining the rest of us with what could be months of fighting for money back?   I am assuming if it is a group booking, then you won't be responsible for paying all the money?

It is true if you don't pay the remainder then you lose your deposit.  That is as far as I've got with my understandings but the rest is very unclear at moment.

bagand96

Tedber said:

Just wondering Frankie, how many people are on the booking and how much do you each individually lose if you cancel?  Then contact them all and ask if they are willing to pay the remainder or if they would prefer to cut their loses and lose the deposit? 

I would weigh up what is most important to you e.g. losing say £200 each or paying the rest and joining the rest of us with what could be months of fighting for money back?   I am assuming if it is a group booking, then you won't be responsible for paying all the money?

It is true if you don't pay the remainder then you lose your deposit.  That is as far as I've got with my understandings but the rest is very unclear at moment.

I'm inclined to agree with the above.  Especially now you've said the booking is only for a house rental.  If you pay the balance, and they then refuse to cancel on account of "house is here and available as per your booking" then I'm really not sure where you'd stand.

frankiethemonkey

I've just spoken to my travel disruption insurer.  Their advice is to pay the balance on a credit card so I have some foundational measure of protection through Section 75, and wait it out until closer to the date of the trip to see if it gets cancelled and/or we, or anyone in our party, is not allowed to travel (we would be going from the UK but others are arriving from the US).  They have said that even if the travel company refuses to give us any money back, it won't matter and we can make a claim for the full amount with the insurer if FCO guidelines state no non-essential travel and includes the dates of our trip.
Choice seems to be- walk away now and lose 50% of our money, or take a gamble, pay the 50% balance, and hope the trip gets cancelled so we can claim 100% back somewhere down the line.
The grey area remains though- what if we are technically/legally allowed to travel, but end up going on a holiday in which there could possibly be quarantines/social distancing/limits on travel WITHIN the country, etc.  Sounds like the worst holiday I could ever imagine!
Travel insurer said she is speaking to people every day in the same dilemma, unsure whether to pay balances on holidays that are likely never going to happen, and dealing with holiday companies refusing to return deposits, on the basis that their cancellation is "voluntary."
Thanks everyone for your sage advice!  It's amazing and so appreciated.

Life__Goes__On

Thank you for updating us, it's really helpful, to hear what other advice is out there.
Keep us updated on how you get on and what you decide.

[Deleted User]

frankiethemonkey said:

Choice seems to be- walk away now and lose 50% of our money, or take a gamble, pay the 50% balance, and hope the trip gets cancelled so we can claim 100% back somewhere down the line.
The grey area remains though- what if we are technically/legally allowed to travel, but end up going on a holiday in which there could possibly be quarantines/social distancing/limits on travel WITHIN the country, etc.  Sounds like the worst holiday I could ever imagine!
Travel insurer said she is speaking to people every day in the same dilemma, unsure whether to pay balances on holidays that are likely never going to happen, and dealing with holiday companies refusing to return deposits, on the basis that their cancellation is "voluntary."
Thanks everyone for your sage advice!  It's amazing and so appreciated.

I can't get my head round this at all.   How would you be able to claim 100% refund back through section 75 IF you haven't paid half of it through a credit card?   Maybe I am missing something?   Also have you got all your companions listed on your insurance or did they take it out individually?   Insurance has to be claimed individually. 

Life__Goes__On

"

Tedber said:

I can't get my head round this at all.   How would you be able to claim 100% refund back through section 75 IF you haven't paid half of it through a credit card?   Maybe I am missing something?   Also have you got all your companions listed on your insurance or did they take it out individually?   Insurance has to be claimed individually. 

Yes, even if you paid 1p on a credit card it covers you for the whole amount under S75

Under a debit card it's Chargeback  so only what you paid via the card
That's why paying by credit card (if you can) is so important.

EDIT  So if something cost £10,000  pay £9,999.99 in cash, 1p on credit card
you are covered for the whole ten grand on the card.