New Year Hotel package booked, but now would be traveling from Tier 3

mystic_trev

I know (as things currrenty stand)  I would not be allowed to travel from Kent to Dorset where I’ve booked a non-refundable three night, New Years break. How do I proceed? Do I contact the Hotel and ask for a refund as I’m currently not allowed to travel? Do I wait until 16th December to see if our Tiers lowed to two, in which case we could proceed with the holiday? I guess if I’m still not allowed to travel then they’re legally bound to give me a refund? Do I contact the Hotel now, regarding my situation, or wait?

nilanteh

I would wait and see. There is every chance Kent could be lowered before then. As for whether it’s refundable that will depend on whether you booked a refundable rate. The hotel is likely to still be operating and available so under no obligation to refund unless you booked a refundable rate. It’s not their fault you can’t go if Kent stays in tier 3. However they may as a goodwill gesture be willing to move the dates for you 

nilanteh

I’ve just realised you booked non refundable. So it’s very unlikely they’d be willing to refund. Moving dates might be your best option

mystic_trev

nilanteh said:

I’ve just realised you booked non refundable. So it’s very unlikely they’d be willing to refund. Moving dates might be your best option

Thanks.I’d assumed that if I wasn’t allowed to travel, and if I did they’d be breaking the law allowing me to stay, they have to refund me? I’m quite happy to re book for for later next Year, I just wondered what my legal rights were if I cancelled?

[Deleted User]

No point in contacting the hotel now. Wait until 16th then if you still in tier 3 you could ask if they would be prepared to allow you to rebook.  If they refuse then not a lot you can do about it if the hotel is open to guests.  

mystic_trev

Tedber said:

No point in contacting the hotel now. Wait until 16th then if you still in tier 3 you could ask if they would be prepared to allow you to rebook.  If they refuse then not a lot you can do about it if the hotel is open to guests.  

Thanks Ted. So if I traveled to the Hotel for my stay and they refused to proceed with my booking, coming from a Tier 3 area, they’d then have to refund me? Of course if they accepted my booking they’d be breaking the law!

silvercar

mystic_trev said:

nilanteh said:

I’ve just realised you booked non refundable. So it’s very unlikely they’d be willing to refund. Moving dates might be your best option

Thanks.I’d assumed that if I wasn’t allowed to travel, and if I did they’d be breaking the law allowing me to stay, they have to refund me? I’m quite happy to re book for for later next Year, I just wondered what my legal rights were if I cancelled?

They are providing a room for you, that isn't illegal. The tier rules relates to you and you travelling. They may offer a goodwill gesture in allowing you to move dates, in which case I would speak to them now, so they have a chance to resell the room.
That said there are 2 main unknowns, we don't know what tier you will be in at the time of your booking. We also don't know the wording of the statutory instruments ("the law") that will replace the current SIs that expire on 2 December. It may be that the rules on travelling between tiers are advisory and don't become law, in which case you would be advised not to travel, rather than it being illegal.

mystic_trev

silvercar said:

mystic_trev said:

nilanteh said:

I’ve just realised you booked non refundable. So it’s very unlikely they’d be willing to refund. Moving dates might be your best option

Thanks.I’d assumed that if I wasn’t allowed to travel, and if I did they’d be breaking the law allowing me to stay, they have to refund me? I’m quite happy to re book for for later next Year, I just wondered what my legal rights were if I cancelled?

They are providing a room for you, that isn't illegal. The tier rules relates to you and you travelling. They may offer a goodwill gesture in allowing you to move dates, in which case I would speak to them now, so they have a chance to resell the room.
That said there are 2 main unknowns, we don't know what tier you will be in at the time of your booking. We also don't know the wording of the statutory instruments ("the law") that will replace the current SIs that expire on 2 December. It may be that the rules on travelling between tiers are advisory and don't become law, in which case you would be advised not to travel, rather than it being illegal.

Cheers Silvercar. Good to see you’re still around, remember you from my days on the Debate House prices etc board, long ago!

I’m actually fairly relaxed about the whole situation, many have much worse predicaments to cope with. I’ll wait until the 16th Dec, see if there’s any changes and go from there.

lady1964

Our large family had booked a New Year stay in a hotel in the New Forest, we’ve all paid deposits with the balance due at the beginning of December. However, due to the age range (50’s up to mid 80’s) and the current situation, the lead booker contacted the hotel last week and they agreed to let us move dates to the end of March.
You may find your hotel is just as amenable if things don’t change for you on the 16th December, good luck!

macman

There is no automatic right to a refund if the hotel is legally open and the room available, just because you are forbidden to travel to it. When they take your booking it is not their concern or responsibility as to how you get there: they have no idea what tier you are in.

gettingtheresometime

It might be that the hotel can work out which of its guests are in a tier 3 area now and make a business decision as to whether it's worth opening for those guests who should theoretically, be able travel (after all everyone can travel, it's more of a case of should they) and may even decide not to run the risk and close up for New Year.