Refund???

Lanzarote_1

Hi
  We have just rediscovered our love for Lanzarote, we used to go just about every year, now at 70 we go in February to escape the cold weather back here in the UK and use a company called Atlantico Rentals. We have used this company for the previous 2 years and found it to be very good. So on the last trip just before the Covid 19 outbreak got a hold we decided to go to the office of Atlantico Rentals and book again. We booked and paid a deposit using my credit card, then a week before we were due to fly home we were told we had to leave Lanzarote through the pandemic.
            When we got home I emailed Atlantico Rentals and asked them what the situation was about our future booking, they said that they had a policy of "non refundable deposts" and should the current situation affect our future booking they would reschedule our holiday problem is if we do not like what they offer what can we do, also as we were still in the EU when we booked this how do we stand to demand a refund??? or can we go to my credit card for this, the credit card amount is now paid in full.

Life__Goes__On

If you paid a non-refundable deposit,  if you decide not to go, you lose that money.

HarryGray

Don't listen to the above poster, that's no help at all. Definitely do not give up on trying to get a refund just because its 'non-refundable'. Plenty of companies are offering refunds for non-refundable bookings given the circumstances. I don't understand how the above poster would just give up so easily. 
Firstly, contact them over the phone and try and get a refund. Just because its a 'non-refundable deposit' doesn't mean your whole amount is non-refundable. 
With that said, it depends how far in the future. If you are scheduled to go in winter and now you decide you don't want to, its a little bit tricky. But still it is definitely worth contacting them and making a case for yourself. 

Life__Goes__On

HarryGray said:

Don't listen to the above poster, that's no help at all. Definitely do not give up on trying to get a refund just because its 'non-refundable'. Plenty of companies are offering refunds for non-refundable bookings given the circumstances. I don't understand how the above poster would just give up so easily. 
Firstly, contact them over the phone and try and get a refund. Just because its a 'non-refundable deposit' doesn't mean your whole amount is non-refundable. 
With that said, it depends how far in the future. If you are scheduled to go in winter and now you decide you don't want to, its a little bit tricky. But still it is definitely worth contacting them and making a case for yourself. 

You're right, it was lazy advice, I should have want into other options that are maybe possible.

Lanzarote_1

Don't get me wrong we do want to go but given the circumstances we do not want to go if we have to wear face masks observe distance regulations etc etc, we are doing that at home so whats the use of going away on holiday to do the same.
Also if they dictate as to when we can go and it's not favourable where do we stand, could it revert to three strikes and your out??? Also we have only paid the deposit the rest is due I think sometime in December

Life__Goes__On

Your best just to wait till the balance is due and see what it is like then.
Or you could ask for it to be moved to 2022, but Atlantico Rentals might refuse depending on their terms.

Lanzarote_1

The problem is the deposit was not just say £50 it was some £460, I wish I could give Martin this question as he would have more knowledge of international problems but it seems I cannot

Mrsn

HarryGray said:

Don't listen to the above poster, that's no help at all. Definitely do not give up on trying to get a refund just because its 'non-refundable'. Plenty of companies are offering refunds for non-refundable bookings given the circumstances. I don't understand how the above poster would just give up so easily. 

You might want to try looking at some of their previous posts... they do not by any stretch give up so easily. They have also over the last few weeks been giving very helpful advice about rights and what steps they may wish to take.

Non refundable deposits are just that.... some companies are doing more than currently required in the circumstances which is great BUT if it’s a clause in the contract whereby the customer chooses to cancel they are within their right to keep the deposit COVID doesn’t change that.

[Deleted User]

On the basis that nobody has a crystal ball Lanzarote, nobody can say what the situation will be in February 2021 (is that when you have rebooked for?)   Therefore, if you cancel now for that holiday, then you are in effect cancelling because you don't wish to go any longer.   From what I can understand, cancelling a holiday you have booked for next year would attract the same conditions as were in place before COVID19 entered?  

You will need to check the t's and c's of what you agreed to e.g. notice within 9 months loss of deposit, notice within 6 months, 50% of holiday and so on.    That is what you will be entitled to if you cancel prior to the holiday date.  Your concerns (although genuine) would not be taken into account at this stage because as I said nobody knows.   If the flights and hotel are open at the time then your personal feelings about how good the holiday will be, won't count.   You will go.  So, IF you are convinced you do not want to go next year no matter what (bearing in mind nobody can guarantee what the state of play will be by then re masks etc)  then you should consider cancelling now before the rate you owe them rises but unlike previous I do not think you would be successful in obtaining a refund of the deposit, because of the pandemic, for a holiday next year   You can try but logic says otherwise.

As you have paid the money now I think I would just  leave it until nearer the time of travel otherwise you are going to find yourself getting heated up, writing numerous emails, spending hours on the phone,  constantly fighting for money you were prepared to leave in their hands for 9 months anyway. (nobody is offering full refunds prior to the holiday date arriving).   

It is confusing and infuriating and very much a waiting game but that is how it is just now.   Good luck if you pursue it.

Lanzarote_1

We also have a touring caravan and use it quite a lot, in fact we have just had a notice from Park Dean to claim a refund because the park will not be open for the time we have booked, say a Spanish family came from abroad and ignoring how they got to the UK, if the park was closed for the time they booked then they would be entitled to a full refund, but not so for us for accommodation in Lanzarote we would loose the deposit not fair at all.

gettingtheresometime

Aren't you jumping the gun a little?

if the booking is for February 2021 then a lot can happen in 9 months, as the last 3 has demonstrated.

as for why you'd want to go if you have to wear Face masks then surely, as you've said, the warm weather would be a reason

btw your example is flawed as the Spanish family would be coming for a holiday now as opposed to in 9 months time