Lastminute wanting £5k cancelation fee

bradders1983

It would probably be a 100% cancellation fee a couple of weeks before with most tour operators tbf, but not 4 or 5 weeks. So thats a bit odd.

bagand96

Lastminute have likely booked and paid for the flights up front, even though they've only charged a deposit to your son.  The flights will be non-refundable which is why Lastminute will want the money either way, as they will stand to lose that money.  (assuming its someone like Ryanair or easyJet)  The same may be true for the hotel, that might have been non-refundable or semi-refundable.

This would have been made clear at the time of booking where Lastminute show their own T&Cs as well as the cancellation terms of each component of the holiday.

Lastminute sell a large range of different products.  The applicable T&Cs should be contained within the confirmation email, so have a good read of them and see exactly what they say.

If its the 17th June I doubt very much the holiday will go ahead, and if Lastminute.com cancel then your son would be entitled to a full refund.  However to keep the booking active that may mean paying the balance if it hasn't already been cancelled on May 30th.

If you just don't pay the balance then they will treat that as customer cancellation.  They could therefore invoice you, and subsequently chase you for any money you owe per the terms.  Whether they will or not - who knows.

bradders1983

The OP made it sound like his son was going to lose £500 at the start, turns out its only £40 each. As already said then, prewarn the bank not to allow anything to be taken.

I assume your son has got the £40 out of each of his mates?

Life__Goes__On

bagand96 said:

Lastminute have likely booked and paid for the flights up front, even though they've only charged a deposit to your son.  The flights will be non-refundable which is why Lastminute will want the money either way, as they will stand to lose that money.  The same may be true for the hotel, that might have been non-refundable terms.

I agree with that,  that's why it's important the holiday is cancelled (and it will be)
If cancelled LM will get a refund of hotel (They can't legally have overseas visitors)  and the flight.
So LM loss will be very little,and under  contract law  that's as much as the are entitled too  ( they aren't going to get an award for damages)

Butts

Life__Goes__On said:

bagand96 said:

Lastminute have likely booked and paid for the flights up front, even though they've only charged a deposit to your son.  The flights will be non-refundable which is why Lastminute will want the money either way, as they will stand to lose that money.  The same may be true for the hotel, that might have been non-refundable terms.

I agree with that,  that's why it's important the holiday is cancelled (and it will be)
If cancelled LM will get a refund of hotel (They can't legally have overseas visitors)  and the flight.
So LM loss will be very little,and under  contract law  that's as much as the are entitled too  ( they aren't going to get an award for damages)

Is there any worse operator out there at the moment than Last Minute ?
Perhaps Sykes Cottages but not many others. Last Minute certainly seems to apply to their refunds if you get them at all !!

Richddd

Really appreciate the input

Life__Goes__On

Butts said:

Is there any worse operator out there at the moment than Last Minute ?
Perhaps Sykes Cottages but not many others. Last Minute certainly seems to apply to their refunds if you get them at all !!

  Holiday Extras, they are refusing all ( but a single one I seen today)  any cash refunds, annd are saying they are doing everyone a favour in giving them a voucher.

paye

Virgin Holidays are worse, you can't speak to anyone 

bradders1983

paye said:

Virgin Holidays are worse, you can't speak to anyone 

You cant at Holiday Extras either 🤣

Retireby40

Also the holiday cant take money your son hasnt got. If hes got 5k as a student hes a lucky student. Tell him to transfer that money to another account like an isa or savings account or even to you well before they are going to take the money just incase.