Lastminute wanting £5k cancelation fee

Richddd

No, he hasn’t got the £5k.. that might be nice...
It is common these days that groups travel to Spain etc and one person is managing the booking. So my son made the booking, collected and paid the deposits, and then planned to collect the balances in advance, to make the final payment. 

Of course things have now changed and no-one wants, or expects to travel on the 17th June, however LM haven't cancelled so far, and the group are expected to pay the balance end of May, which as one can imagine, is not an easy decision for students. 

Since everyone’s input here yesterday, and Thank You, they have all been in communication and decided collectively to have the money ready, up to perhaps the 28th and see what action comes from LM and if they cancel. If LM don’t cancel and insist the balance is paid in 30th, they will make the payment, through my son, and either wait, chase/accept the refund (maybe rebooking, or vouchers) or, if there is a miracle, they go on holiday... 
My son has paid the deposit using a debit card and gave his usual card details at the time of booking. He was nervous LM would automatically take the balance of £5k when the balance was due.

bagand96

Richddd said:

Since everyone’s input here yesterday, and Thank You, they have all been in communication and decided collectively to have the money ready, up to perhaps the 28th and see what action comes from LM and if they cancel. If LM don’t cancel and insist the balance is paid in 30th, they will make the payment, through my son, and either wait, chase/accept the refund (maybe rebooking, or vouchers) or, if there is a miracle, they go on holiday... 
My son has paid the deposit using a debit card and gave his usual card details at the time of booking. He was nervous LM would automatically take the balance of £5k when the balance was due.

That's good news that they've all been able to come to a sensible agreement (it's not always the case in situations, and the lead passenger can be left very exposed!)

If any more money is paid to Lastminute, make sure it's on a credit card if at all possible, then you'll be availing of Section 75 protection if and when LM start messing around over refunds. 

SevenOfNine

Might have to be mindful of thinking a Section 75 could be used to retrieve an money further down the line, as the son hasn't only booked for himself, but for several others as well. Perhaps check with his card provider.

margoth

don't know if it helps, but I was in a similar situation ... you may well be ok, even if you don't pay balance ... here's my story:
LM extended the deadline for the payment of balance and, by time the extended date came, package hol was still not cancelled by LM, so I decided to tell my bank not to make the balance payment. Online LM account subsequently showed a message that, as payment had not been made, they would be phoning me to make arrangements for payment ... they never did.
LM finally cancelled holiday (after outbound travel date, 3rd May) and are now offering options for refund of the deposit, with no attempt to suggest that I 'cancelled' the holiday myself in effect, by not paying the balance.
Good luck!

Vegas2010

SevenOfNine said:

Might have to be mindful of thinking a Section 75 could be used to retrieve an money further down the line, as the son hasn't only booked for himself, but for several others as well. Perhaps check with his card provider.

Given this point, could it be worth checking whether lead booker has to make final payment or if each can make a payment to the account with their own credit card so that all have s75 protection. Don't know, just throwing it out as an idea in case more knowledgeable know given some companies now allow it.