Holiday Home Company encouraging us to break government rules on covid!

bioboybill

In January a group of 8 of us from a walking group made a booking with an online holiday home company. The booking was for 8 people from 5 households in a cottage in Northumberland. Obviously at that time we had barely even heard of coronavirus. As we are due to go in 3 weeks and the rules don't allow such a stay we contacted the company yesterday. We asked if we could cancel due to the restrictions, but they said it was only advice and not a rule, so said we should come and ignore the advice of lose our whole payment. We asked if we could change the date to March and again they refused, but did say they would see what the owner says. I think their attitude is appalling encouraging people to break rules and spread covid. Where do we stand?

[Deleted User]

The cottage owners aren't actually obliged to refund or amend if the cottage is available for use and there is no restriction on travel to Northumberland.  Wouldn't say anyone is encouraging you to do anything you aren't comfortable with.   It is a sort of make your own mind up scenario based on common sense.    You can all decide who is going to 'bubble' with who.  Or if some people not comfortable maybe you can reduce your numbers?   Where there's a will and all that.....  I have just come back from a fabulous time in North Yorkshire sharing with 5 families also.  We were all sensible about it and no problems.  Kept safeish distances as much as possible and walked outside a lot of time like you intend to do.   Weather was good which was a bonus so we had bbq's outside also)   Up to you all to decide really.   Bear in mind too that in 3 weeks the situation could be different than it is today - could be more relaxed or tighter, who knows?    

Thrugelmir

Await the owners reply. 

rosiesposies

How the booking is made up ie different households haa nothing to do with the provider of the accommodation. Harsh but true. Everyone has to compromise whether it’s less people going at a higher cost to those that go. The hospitality industry is holding on by a thread. The next stage will be increased prices for 2021 and 2022, and I am sure the general consuming public will then be ‘outraged’. 

bradders1983

Aye its all about common sense now. I have recently stayed in a small B&B and had to have breakfast in a room with three other couples, hardly an issue. Also nobody is enforcing the "rules". 

scorpiomom

Hi can anyone help I've been through all channels & still not got proper help I booked a package holiday with teletext in January for 10 people we are due to fly tomorrow obviously due to government guidelines it is essential travel only. After numerous phone calls & emails to teletext I finally got a result yesterday saying they will refund (only credit note) for hotel & transfer but not flights as they are with Ryanair. I said my contract was with teletext but they insisted I contacted Ryanair to deal with this. I contacted Ryanair only to be told use it or lose it I explained that it was against government guidelines but they weren't interested i also told them it wasn't essential travel & we no longer had a hotel to go to in malaga still the flight is showing live but how can Ryanair say you can travel when the government are saying you shouldn't have i got any rights to get money back off Ryanair.

bradders1983

^^^^the above has nothing to do with this thread. Kindly start your own and don't hijack other peoples threads.

mattyprice4004

The arrangement of your group isn't the concern of the owners - either lose your money and don't go, or take the risk. 

[Deleted User]

scorpiomom said:

Hi can anyone help I've been through all channels & still not got proper help I booked a package holiday with teletext in January for 10 people we are due to fly tomorrow obviously due to government guidelines it is essential travel only. After numerous phone calls & emails to teletext I finally got a result yesterday saying they will refund (only credit note) for hotel & transfer but not flights as they are with Ryanair. I said my contract was with teletext but they insisted I contacted Ryanair to deal with this. I contacted Ryanair only to be told use it or lose it I explained that it was against government guidelines but they weren't interested i also told them it wasn't essential travel & we no longer had a hotel to go to in malaga still the flight is showing live but how can Ryanair say you can travel when the government are saying you shouldn't have i got any rights to get money back off Ryanair.

Hi Scorpiomom,   Yes would have been better to start your own thread but understand you are a new poster and panicking.

Your problem is whether or not you have a complete package holiday with Teletext - Do you have an ATOL certificate stating package?   Lots of confusion about packages and linked arrangements which isn't going to help you at this moment.  Sadly IF Ryanair are still  flying and your booking isn't a 'package' then yes you will lose the flight money.   All depends on the small print.  Check it carefully and see what you agreed to when you booked.   All may not be lost if you can prove you booked a 'package' holiday.

sheramber

If you have not booked a package holiday you only other avenue is travel insurance , if you have cover for FCO advice agianst travelling. Not all policies do.
teletext holidays  do say
Bookings are arranged by Truly Travel Ltd (a member of the TTA (U6466)), under the trading name Teletext Holidays unless otherwise stated. Products and prices are subject to availability and Truly Travel Ltd’s and the applicable supplier(s) terms & conditions, and you must read these carefully before making any booking. Each travel service is priced separately and independently, creating direct and separate contracts between you and the applicable supplier/principal(s). We are not a party to any such contract. However, where you book a “Multi-Contract Package” as defined in our Terms & Conditions, we shall accept responsibility for your booking as the “organiser” under the Package Travel & Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. This does not affect our agency status.

https://www.teletextholidays.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvvj5BRDkARIsAGD9vlIjHcRRK1BPWEdqDXiSZW8V951sWQq3uiKuxjPSMuNv_5pZLqz-oIYaAuuBEALw_wcB

sgun

Which company is the booking with? You could ask them to re-advertise it, I'm in Northumberland near Hadrian's Wall and pretty much all the accommodation is booked, its very busy. You would of course be liable for their costs for advertising and re-letting, and any difference in the price but they might be able to do this. I have seen lots of posts on local social media posts asking about holiday cottages to let so there is definitely a demand there. I get what you are saying about them encouraging you to not follow the guidance, I agree with your point of view. Holiday letting firms have not come through this looking good. It might be worth contacting the owner directly.