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Hot air balloon company have my money but have cancelled every flight for a year!

rcss21
Posts: 1 Newbie
I bought a hot air balloon flight for my fiance's 30th birthday last year (March 2019). I paid about £300 for the flights, about £20 for a photo USB and subsequently another £60 to upgrade to a weekend ticket (after changing jobs and being less able to flex).
As flying is a weather dependent activity, the company policy is that you have to have made at least 5 attempt to fly within a single flying season to make you eligible for an extension going in to the next.
In their terms and conditions, the first point under 'Our obligations to you' states "The voucher will entitle you to participate in a hot air balloon flight experience at a date, to be arranged, within 12 months of its purchase including the preparation and inflation of the balloon for flight, a flight in a hot air balloon and the recovery of the balloon at the end of the flight."
It's now beyond that period, regardless of any extension, and with Covid-19 suspending all flights for the foreseeable, I just want my money back to pursue a more guaranteed birthday treat.
However, the company states in their terms and conditions that there is a 42% admin cost if you cancel, but not only that, cancellation is at their discretion unless you're ill or pregnant.
I've spoken to citizens advice and they've given me an initial breach of contract letter to send. The company replied and, in a nutshell said, we've survived bird flu etc and we're in a strong position, don't worry and you can't have a refund. (Maybe they're in such a strong financial position because they keep everyone's money?)
I'm using this forum for the first time to try and get some advice on what to do next?! It's a fair chunk of money i've paid for something that a) keeps getting cancelled and b) I just can't have for the foreseeable.
Please help. Thank you.
As flying is a weather dependent activity, the company policy is that you have to have made at least 5 attempt to fly within a single flying season to make you eligible for an extension going in to the next.
In their terms and conditions, the first point under 'Our obligations to you' states "The voucher will entitle you to participate in a hot air balloon flight experience at a date, to be arranged, within 12 months of its purchase including the preparation and inflation of the balloon for flight, a flight in a hot air balloon and the recovery of the balloon at the end of the flight."
It's now beyond that period, regardless of any extension, and with Covid-19 suspending all flights for the foreseeable, I just want my money back to pursue a more guaranteed birthday treat.
However, the company states in their terms and conditions that there is a 42% admin cost if you cancel, but not only that, cancellation is at their discretion unless you're ill or pregnant.
I've spoken to citizens advice and they've given me an initial breach of contract letter to send. The company replied and, in a nutshell said, we've survived bird flu etc and we're in a strong position, don't worry and you can't have a refund. (Maybe they're in such a strong financial position because they keep everyone's money?)
I'm using this forum for the first time to try and get some advice on what to do next?! It's a fair chunk of money i've paid for something that a) keeps getting cancelled and b) I just can't have for the foreseeable.
Please help. Thank you.
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How did you pay .
did you buy from the balloon company or a voucher from another site .
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