Booked hotel and flights separately, cancellation help please

bagand96

Proofread100 said:

Unfortunately I didn't copy their Ts &Cs at the time of booking and they have radically altered their fonditions now, as one would expect.
So the feeling here seems to be that you all don't mind going on holiday during a pandemic, even if it is going to be very different than what you originally had planned for? Not to mention the extra hundreds probably, that would have to be paid out for travel insurance (we had yearly which finished last week and didn't renew it). 

Virtually all tour operators or travel agents selling packages will have a clause in the T&Cs that allow them to make changes to accomodation. It's a standard provision in package holiday T&C's.

[Deleted User]

Proofread100 said:

Unfortunately I didn't copy their Ts &Cs at the time of booking and they have radically altered their fonditions now, as one would expect.
So the feeling here seems to be that you all don't mind going on holiday during a pandemic, even if it is going to be very different than what you originally had planned for? Not to mention the extra hundreds probably, that would have to be paid out for travel insurance (we had yearly which finished last week and didn't renew it). 

Hi Proofread100,  It doesn't really matter what peoples' feelings are, you are asking what your entitlement is and people are telling you what they know.    I also don't think it matters about not having the original t's and c's as most will include the right to switch hotels due to unforseen circumstances, such as original one flooding, being hit by lightening, murder on site (Ok that's my over active  imagination but you get the gist?)   

Had your flights been cancelled but hotel open then as booking as a package you would have been entitled to a refund/rebook from your agents, but because the flights are going ahead (up to now anyway) realistically you have the option to get on and go to another hotel or not go.    This is as it stands now but always open for challenge.    The insurance bit is not impossible to solve.   Who knows the replacement hotel might be fabulous?   (only once been subjected to change, by hotel overbooking and replacement was amazing so you never know)   Hope it works out good for you.   

epm-84

bagand96 said:

Proofread100 said:

Unfortunately I didn't copy their Ts &Cs at the time of booking and they have radically altered their fonditions now, as one would expect.
So the feeling here seems to be that you all don't mind going on holiday during a pandemic, even if it is going to be very different than what you originally had planned for? Not to mention the extra hundreds probably, that would have to be paid out for travel insurance (we had yearly which finished last week and didn't renew it). 

Virtually all tour operators or travel agents selling packages will have a clause in the T&Cs that allow them to make changes to accommodation. It's a standard provision in package holiday T&C's.

I think it partly depends on what kind of booking you make.  If you book an escorted tour it's very likely the hotel list advertised will be described as a typical list meaning any of the hotels can be swapped for an alternative of the same standard without the provider giving a specific reason why.  If you book a flight+hotel package then it's likely you've chosen a specific hotel which means you should get that hotel.  However, as the operator would be liable for the cost of the flights if something went wrong with the hotel it's possible they'll have a clause allowing you to be moved to a different hotel under exceptional circumstances.

epm-84

Proofread100 said:

So the feeling here seems to be that you all don't mind going on holiday during a pandemic, even if it is going to be very different than what you originally had planned for? 

I think everyone would prefer it if they could go on holiday without any COVID-19 related restrictions in place.  However, what you have to remember is people don't get what they planned for all the time.  For example, there might be extra security measures in place due to a high terrorist threat, which might mean you spend more time queuing and less time doing what you wanted.  The weather might prevent you from doing what you wanted or an attraction may have to temporarily close for safety reasons.  If you had an included boat tour which couldn't take place due to the weather then you'd expect either an alternative activity to be provided or a pro-rata refund, it doesn't mean your holiday will be cancelled the day before you intend to travel due to a weather forecast for strong winds.

bagand96

epm-84 said:

bagand96 said:

Virtually all tour operators or travel agents selling packages will have a clause in the T&Cs that allow them to make changes to accommodation. It's a standard provision in package holiday T&C's.

I think it partly depends on what kind of booking you make.  If you book an escorted tour it's very likely the hotel list advertised will be described as a typical list meaning any of the hotels can be swapped for an alternative of the same standard without the provider giving a specific reason why.  If you book a flight+hotel package then it's likely you've chosen a specific hotel which means you should get that hotel.  However, as the operator would be liable for the cost of the flights if something went wrong with the hotel it's possible they'll have a clause allowing you to be moved to a different hotel under exceptional circumstances.

Package Tour Operators (TUI, Jet2Holidays etc) have included for years in their T&C's that if required they can change your accommodation.  They will only consider it a "major" change if they change it to a lower official classification.  Other than that it is a minor change, which means the customer has no automatic rights to cancel.

The Online Travel Agents that aren't tour operators, but sell Multi-Contract Packages (OnTheBeach, TravelRepublic etc) have the same clauses in their package T&Cs.

Of course the better companies would try and help the customer by ensuring similar facilities are available and giving customers options. And customers may have recourse under their rights about a holiday being as advertised and as sold.  But by the T&Cs, they can change your hotel.

lisyloo

Proofread100 said:

Unfortunately I didn't copy their Ts &Cs at the time of booking and they have radically altered their fonditions now, as one would expect.
So the feeling here seems to be that you all don't mind going on holiday during a pandemic, even if it is going to be very different than what you originally had planned for? Not to mention the extra hundreds probably, that would have to be paid out for travel insurance (we had yearly which finished last week and didn't renew it). 

I understand your feelings but disinclination has never been covered by insurance.
i went on a holiday shortly after 9/11 under similar circumstances. It actually turned out to be very nice as it was empty.

so you had a planned holiday and didn’t renew your cover which May have had valuable pandemic insurance ???