Pay up or lose out

linden2013

I booked a Travelsphere package holiday to Canada for myself and my wife with Hays Travel Agents on 21st January and paid £500 deposit. The holiday is scheduled for 22nd September and Hays are requesting the balance of almost £4000 to be paid by Friday. If I don’t pay the balance Hays say that means I have cancelled the holiday and will lose my deposit but they also say I must pay a further £500 representing £250pp for low cost flight charges paid by Travelsphere. Hays tell me that Travelsphere will rearrange the holiday to next year but say I still have to pay the additional £250pp on top of the cost of next years holiday. If I do pay the low cost flight charges Hays say the £500 will not be refunded even if the flights don’t go in September. This applies whether I cancel by not paying the balance, or transfer the holiday to next year. Hays say the low cost flight charge is included in Travelsphere’s terms and conditions and I am subject to them, which it says on the Confirmation Invoice. Can I argue that as I paid Hays I do not have a contract with Travelsphere irrespective of what’s said on the confirmation invoice?

I am 76 and my wife will be 74 by the time of the holiday so we are apprehensive about going in September even if Canada is open to us which at present it isn’t.

 All comments on any part of this saga will be gratefully received.

movilogo

First check if you are able to get travel insurance even if you travel. If you cancel you'd lose that initial £500 but don't pay any more money to Hays. Let them do whatever they want. It could be all normal by September but may not - so it is a call you have to make. 
But once you full amount, be aware that it would be near impossible to get it back if you do not travel at the end.