Travel Republic - No response to hotel cancellation request, automated balance payment due 26 Sept.

CD63

Anyone know whether Travel Republic are in difficulties?  On 11 Sept, I requested cancellation of a hotel booking (balance payment to be automatically charged to my cr card 26 Sept, hence urgency) but have had no response from their on-line customer support.  No luck contacting them by phone.  Automated message saying their offices are closed and none of the phone menu options gets you to a human being.
Is anyone else having similar difficulties with Travel Republic?

Background:
On 31 Dec 2019, I made a booking for a weeks stay in Dubai from 10Oct 2020, using their low deposit scheme (£5 paid), with the balance of approx £2,100 due later in 2020.  They recently sent me a reminder that they would debit the full balance payment from my credit card on 26 Sept.
Due to COVID, the holiday is now not viable, so on 11 Sept I lodged a cancellation request for the hotel booking via the Travel Republic on-line Customer Support facility.  Though their systems issued a case number, there has been no response as yet so I sent a further message yesterday, again no reply.
Worried they will take the full payment regardless of my cancellation request.   
Also troubling that my bank (HSBC) cannot stop the credit card payment.  

Would welcome advice or guidance from MSE and the forum.
Thanks

[Deleted User]

Hate to say this but if they did cancel your booking on 11th September as per your request, you may still be liable for payment of a good proportion of the holiday. Check the t’s and c’s you agreed to on booking.  

mattyprice4004

Was the rate booked flexible, or was it non-refundable? 

Westin

mattyprice4004 said:

Was the rate booked flexible, or was it non-refundable? 

Key question and key answer.

ian666

I am due to fly out to Egypt in 12 days. I have tried to make contact with TR for the past 2 weeks but have been unable to gain any reply's to my submissions on there website. Does anyone know how to contact them? We have paid over £2000 for the trip but can't gat any response. Are they just hoping we go away and forget the £2000.
Does any one understand their cancellation policy it states the a fee of £40 payable for cancelations but due they refund the £2000? of just keep it along with the £40 fee.