Hotel Reservation - To Pay or Not to Pay?

CTS86

Morning All,

I'm after a bit of guidance if possible.

I had a reservation for a hotel in Denmark for 2 nights that I no longer require. This was booked through Booking.com pre-Covid. As the booking was non-refundable I contacted the hotel a number of weeks back to try to change to alternative dates but as my requested dates weren't possible I decided to bite the bullet and accept that I'd be paying for a room that I'd no longer by using (for info the reservation was on an MBNA credit card and no payment had been taken up front).

Late last night I received a text from Booking.com stating that the hotel had been unable to process my credit card to take payment. I'm nowhere near the credit limit on the card so that's not the issue, although I did receive a replacement card post-reservation as my previous one had expired. I called MBNA this morning to check but their view was that there shouldn't have been an issue with the payment going through as the sixteen digit card number on my new card is the same as previous (given that it's just a replacement for an expired card and not for a lost/stolen one etc).

I'm now at a point of not really knowing what to do next. I don't actually want the room so would be happy not to update any details so payment couldn't be taken, however ethically that doesn't sit too well with me in that I've potentially blocked out a room for 2 nights that could've been sold to someone else. Then again, no longer being able to travel due to flight cancellations isn't any fault of my own. The bigger concern I have is whether there will be any impact to my credit rating if I'm being chased for payment that I've not been able to fulfill - would there be a black mark against by name in this instance or does it simply mean that I've lost my reservation and if I was to try to check in at the property the room would no longer be available?

I suppose I'm just after a bit of guidance from anyone with more experience as to what their approach would be and if just ignoring the message and therefore not paying for the reservation will come back to bite me in anyway.

Thanks in advance.

CTS86

[Deleted User]

There will only be an impact on your credit file if they seek a CCJ. I don't know how likely that is but you'd find out one way or after 6 years.

Mrsn

How much is the reservation for? As above nobody knows whether they will attempt to take you to court for the outstanding balance but I suspect where travel agents haven’t done this in the past they may look at doing it in the future to recoup loss of income (I’m not suggesting that will happen here just a personal opinion going forward)

jon81uk

Although the 16 digit number won't have changed, the expiry date will and I think both are needed (along with the three digits on the reverse) for a payment to go through.

[Deleted User]

Your choice really. You can ignore the requests and see what happens?  Nobody can really advise you to do this.  

For me I couldn’t stand the stress of it all, with constant harassment not knowing how far they may go and would maybe contact the hotel to make payment, explaining that because of the current situation you cannot take up the room (when is it for?). but would prefer to rebook for a later date.  They may be impressed by your integrity and meet your request?  ......Then again they may not!   🤣.   

Sooler

"Then again, no longer being able to travel due to flight cancellations isn't any fault of my own."

That carries no weight.

The hotel blocked out the room at your request, I would guess they equally see no reason why they should forfeit their income due to no fault of their own.

CTS86

Thanks all for the input.

I was swaying towards paying up unless there was a resounding "I wouldn't bother paying!" within the replies, however as there are a few unknowns as how it would pan out in the long run then I've gone ahead and settled up this afternoon (for a room 1,000+ miles away that will stand empty for 2 nights  ).

Thanks again!

DCFC79

Dont worry about your score as no one else can see it, your history is what is important.

petc

This may be controversial but I would reply back to them that under their Force Majeure policy you were entitled to have your non-refundable payment refunded anyway so you will not be paying it now.
You can look in to their policy on their Partner pages. They did not seem to communicate this new policy to customers and I've been fighting them for months over the money I've lost.