Villa won't change dates - Help please!

aevicks89

Hi, looking for advice on the following please:

We booked a family holiday to Spain last year to take place in April 2020.. Flights were booked through jet2 and villa through Abahana Villas, obviously our flights got cancelled and I contacted Abahana around mid March who advised I would need to wait longer to rebook. We rebooked our flights and villa eventually to take place in October 2020. Now given the uncertain circumstances, a family vote is that we would rather delay this until next year and just go then, with the quarantine and two self employed members of the family, along with travelling with a baby and someone who is at risk in terms of health, it all feels a bit messy and we would probably feel better delaying the holiday.

I emailed the villa company around 3 weeks ago asking if we could change the dates to next year, advised we are happy to pay an admin fee to do this and explained that when we rebooked we were probably a bit naive in thinking things would be back to normal and that we wouldn't face the quarantine, or wearing of masks etc etc on holiday. The villa company have said I need to wait until October and see what the FCO is advising, they wont change my dates and if we cancel we lose all our money.. around £4000. I have begged for them to reconsider this, as I have stated we don't want a refund from them but simply to change the dates. 

Does anyone know where I would stand on any of this from a consumer point of view? It was paid for on a credit card, just feel anxious that its now 7 weeks away and they are being super unhelpful. Can we take it further with them that they arent being reasonable, or are we stumped?

Thanks in advance.
Alice 

[Deleted User]

From a consumer point of view, you just have to hope they cancel, or the situation is such that you can claim on your insurance.

It's not that they're being super unhelpful, but that they're super adhering to the terms of your contract.

aevicks89

Deleted_User said:

From a consumer point of view, you just have to hope they cancel, or the situation is such that you can claim on your insurance.

It's not that they're being super unhelpful, but that they're super adhering to the terms of your contract.

I agree to some extent, I understand they are a business and want to retain their bookings, but the contract also states you can change dates. Although they are now saying no. I feel its unhelpful. 

[Deleted User]

If the contract allows unlimited change of date, then you need to point that out to them.  It sounds unusual though.

Thrugelmir

aevicks89 said:

I have begged for them to reconsider this, as I have stated we don't want a refund from them but simply to change the dates. 

Have you considered that as a business they may well lose income. To them it is in effect a refund. 

upsidedownpancake

aevicks89 said:

Deleted_User said:

From a consumer point of view, you just have to hope they cancel, or the situation is such that you can claim on your insurance.

It's not that they're being super unhelpful, but that they're super adhering to the terms of your contract.

I agree to some extent, I understand they are a business and want to retain their bookings, but the contract also states you can change dates. Although they are now saying no. I feel its unhelpful. 

If you're talking about https://www.abahanavillas.com/en/general-conditions then they do allow for changes but only in two circumstances.  Either bringing the dates forward or to split up the stay over two or more periods (which they reserve the right to reject) and of course, these are only IF the accommodation is available on those dates.

I can't see a blanket allowance to change the dates that you would likely need under these circumstances.

mattyprice4004

You might feel it's unhelpful, but unfortunately if they are unwilling you have no rights to change the dates.
You booked and paid for a service on a certain date, you're choosing not to travel and they are under no obligation to change the booking to suit this. 

superbigal

If the company have stated they will review based on FCO advice nearer the time that seems very fair.
As it stands it looks hugely unlikely that Spain will get below the 20 cases per 100K anytime in the next 5 weeks.
I assume this will mean the company is then flexible again ?

[Deleted User]

Yes, unfortunately for you you if the flights are going ahead and the villa available you won't be able to claim a section 75 or chargeback.

A family vote is of no concern to the agents, villa owners or airline.    They only guarantee to get you there and provide the accommodation.    If you have insurance that covers you for FCO advice against travelling then this would be your only option.  Most people are finding they don't!

The Villa owners don't actually sound that unhelpful though, they seem to have been quite reasonable so be patient and wait and see what the situation is in October.  I sympathise wholeheartedly with you but it is what it is.   My advice is don't cancel, just wait and see.