I DON'T WANT TO TRAVEL

Didi62

In January 2020 I paid TUI £100 deposit for a holiday to Italy on 4th September 2020.  In April 2020, I should have paid a further £300 deposit but due to being furloughed and not even knowing if we have jobs to go back to, I could not afford this.  I telephoned TUI and they said I had to pay a cancellation fee if I did not want to travel.  I explained I did not have the money so he advised that TUI would cancel the holiday and I would lose my deposit of £100.  I was happy with this.  I have now started receiving emails to ask for the full £3000 balance which of course I do not have.  Therefore today I have called them again and they have said someone from their finance team will call me as they will require the full balance from me as I have not fulfilled my contract with them.  I explained that I did not have the money - pay the mortgage or pay for a holiday I am not going on - no brainer!!  I explained I was happy to lose £100 but she said I would have to pay full deposit.  I asked if I could choose another holiday for next year but was advised that was not possible as they are only giving free amendments up to 31st August and this will also cost me if I move the holiday.

How do I stand with this?  Getting very anxious as I have never defaulted on a payment for anything and this is through no fault of my own

Life__Goes__On

As you have cancelled the most you will lose is £200 per person (the full deposit). as  it's over 70 days before your holiday
https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/booking/tandc?ptype=PDP
The is an ongoing thread about this issue on here  regarding the low deposit.

bradders1983

Never is an "issue" if people read what they agree to, alas not many people do.

[Deleted User]

As you have cancelled your holiday I can't see how they would be requesting £3,000.  Are you sure it isn't £300 (the full deposit)?  

They are actually in the right and that is probably what you agreed to pay as deposit by April so the way I see it is you either pay it and forget all about it or stick it out and ignore the requests, in which case they could take you to court.  I don't think anybody knows if they are showing any leniency owing to the situation?   I don't think I personally would want all the hassle especially as you have decided you do not want to go away now, no matter what?   But really is your decision and yes it would gall having to fork out another 300 quid for a holiday you know you are not going to go on.  

Have you checked your insurance policy to see if you are covered in case of redundancy should this happen?   You might be able to claim the deposit from them?   A kind of slim chance if you are furloughed (albeit reduced pay) though I would say but all depends on what the policy covers?

sheramber

 I explained I did not have the money so he advised that TUI would cancel the holiday and I would lose my deposit of £100.  I was happy with this.
Was this  actually notice of cancellation  or was it a question as to  what would happen if you cancelled because you could not pay?
Did you receive confirmation of the cancellation?