Help with on the beach

familyhoilday2020

Can someone please give me advice. I'm new here. I have an upcoming holiday booked with on the beach for boxing day to spain. We are now in a dire position due to husband being made redundant due to covid. I've contacted OTB who have also agreed the destination is in virtual lockdown but our flights are still going so we cant cancel without a £1429 fee. This is more than we currently owe on the holiday. We owe £998 which is due by 11th november. We cant afford this. There is 9 of us booked on the holiday. My husband got made redundant and my FIL has recently changed jobs and has been told he will not be allowed to quarantine on arrival home even if we could go. I requested change of dates to OTB for october next year. They agreed but asked for £1450 to do this. But arent willing to accept installments on this and want the payment immediately. I've told them the funds wont be in the account to take on the 11th and they said they will apply 3 times. Meaning we also get 3 lots of bank charges. I've said the holiday cant go ahead with 6 children if the place we are going to is shut down but apparently our flights going mean we have to go or lose it. I dont know my rights and what I can do I'm willing to change the dates. Pay in installments but they disagree with this. I can no longer call them as their phone line is only available if you are traveling in the next 14 days. My only contact is email which takes 2 to 3 days for a reply 

Westin

You might wish to have a read through this MSE guide -
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/?_ga=2.262388876.1679094947.1603623617-1407810247.1598863823

There are also a number of threads on the Coronavirus Travel Help & Info Board (see top of forum index page) regarding On The Beach.  I would first read through and see if you can find points reflecting your situation to any posted already.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/381932/on-the-beach-and-loveholidays-ignoring-abtas-refund-policy

They have since resigned from ABTA.

Their mantra is that most flights are non refundable.

Who are your flights with ?

twopenny

The problem is that flights often don't get cancelled until the last minute because situations change. If it wasn't for the money situation, which is your real problem, I would suggest you keep checking the flights to see if they are cancelled in which case you would be entitled to a refund.

I'm guessing that your Travel Insurance didn't cover the chance of redundancy? Many do though.

Caz3121

nobody knows what the lockdown situation, FCDO guidance or quarantine situation will be in 2 months time.
Will your travel insurance policy cover you if there is FCDO guidance in place prior to the holiday? if so how far in advance? - policy may state 28 days before travel etc (although you would need to pay the balance rather than cancel in advance)
what do the terms and conditions state about cancelling - usually the flights will need to be paid in full and there may be other fees