Hotel won’t refund due to covid

JamesN

Hi

A friend of ours was supposed to get married but because of covid lockdown it got postponed. Several friends had already booked the hotel before postponement. The hotel didn’t want to refund but offered a reschedule option. 

Since coming out of lockdown the couple got married in a small ceremony (just close family) and so there is now no event to rebook for. Problem is, the hotel aren’t entertaining a refund. 

Amount is under £100 so credit card isn’t an option. Any advice on how to proceed? I’ve done some digging but keep finding things on package holidays rather than hotels specifically so apologies if it’s been answered before. 

Many thanks. 

jweb2k

Had you booked the hotel with a "special rate" given specifically for the wedding where you had to say a discount code or expressly mentioned the stay was only suitable if the wedding was going ahead at time of booking? Otherwise, it's a change of mind on a stay and you're held to their terms and conditions on cancellations. 

KeithP

Your thread might be better placed on one of the two following boards:
1) Coronavirus Support and Help, or
2) Coronavirus Travel Help & Info

You say a credit card won't help, but have you considered a Chargeback?

unholyangel

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-and-refund-updates

They should be offering refunds if services couldn't be provided as agreed due to covid.

If chargeback isn't an option (I suspect it might not be depending on when paid and when the wedding was supposed to be) then you may have to send a letter before action 

Aylesbury_Duck

Is the hotel still allowed to accommodate you on your booked dates? If so, and if it's not a flexible booking, you're not entitled to a refund so a reschedule is a good offer.

If they've had to close on the date in question (tier 4, for example), then you are entitled to a refund.

sheramber

unholyangel said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-and-refund-updates

They should be offering refunds if services couldn't be provided as agreed due to covid.

If chargeback isn't an option (I suspect it might not be depending on when paid and when the wedding was supposed to be) then you may have to send a letter before action 

The OP does' t say the hotel was closed . Only that the wedding didn't go ahead.

jsmith9

you accepted a reschedule option, the hotel are allowing you to reschedule so your only option is to reschedule. 

Flight3287462

So go and enjoy a weekend away when you can.

unholyangel

sheramber said:

unholyangel said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-and-refund-updates

They should be offering refunds if services couldn't be provided as agreed due to covid.

If chargeback isn't an option (I suspect it might not be depending on when paid and when the wedding was supposed to be) then you may have to send a letter before action 

The OP does' t say the hotel was closed . Only that the wedding didn't go ahead.

I know. That's why I said: 

They should be offering refunds if services couldn't be provided as agreed due to covid

But to be frank, if the hotelier knew the reason for booking was the wedding and the wedding couldn't go ahead, it would then frustrate the contract for the hotel. 

jsmith9

nice try, but no !

JamesN

All, thanks for the responses and sorry for the delayed response. Christmas has been quite busy. 

So to answer some questions here. This was back in the first lockdown so they had to cancel the wedding as a result of that. The hotel cancelled the booking not us, though they aren’t involved in the wedding (not the main venue). 

Had considered a chargeback but need to do some more reading in that regard. 

We haven’t accepted their offer of a reschedule yet. Have been pushing for a refund but they’re digging their heels in. 

I don’t think it was a flexible booking. Will check the details.