Refunds from holiday company NOT ABTA - help

ashcomp

I am looking for advice regarding a holiday booked with ‘themagalufweekender’

The company only provides the hotel and party package (not flights) and is not ABTA registered and I am becoming concerned with the coronavirus causing problems and what rights I have. 

The rep has informed us they will try to rearranged to another date and the website states no refunds but what if I am not able to make the rearranged dates, or if the holiday doesn’t happen all together?
 

I paid £1 on my credit card when I signed the T&C’s and paid for the holiday monthly, using my credit card at £50 per month for 8 months. Every month I paid the £50 off my credit card in full. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you. 

mattyprice4004

When is the trip booked for?

ashcomp

It is booked for July 2021

[Deleted User]

You can’t really do much other than wait for July and see what the situation is.  If Spain is still not accepting visitors from UK then, but the hotel is open to guests, then a rebooking would be about as good as it gets.  (assuming you booked non flexible rates in first place).  

You may be able to claim on your insurance if you have appropriate cover (check it carefully) but unlikely on your credit card if the hotel is open for business.   What about flights?  Are they booked? Separate issue I know.  

ashcomp

Thank you for the information. 

I am not worried about flights because my experience with them has been good so far (touch wood) with cancellations and refunds. The first flights were booked with EasyJet who decided to stop flying from Newcastle airport and they refunded me straight away. I have rebooked with Ryanair. 

If I am being honest I am hoping the holiday will get cancelled as it won’t be the experience I was expecting and last year when I booked it, I thought this coronavirus would have quietened down by the time the holiday happens. 

With insurance, I used MSE to find the most competitive price holiday insurance but paid for the mid tier hoping for a little extra protection. 

If I can’t make the rescheduled dates assuming the holiday changes, am I best trying a chargeback since I used credit card or going through travel insurance? 

I’m worried I may lose £400 as the holiday company is not ABTA registered and is run be a ‘celebrity rep’ 

[Deleted User]

A chargeback is likely to fail if the hotel is open.  (You should be able to rearrange to dates that do suit you) 

The only possible option then would be your insurance (if you are covered you will need to check yours). but only if you are unable to enter Spain to get to the hotel.  

You will not know until much nearer the time so no point in worrying now about it as there is nothing you can do. 

Westin

Rather strange and unusual set up. No bonding, no travel industry affiliation just a website offering an ‘experience’ and hotel reservation- booked it seems via Facebook. All run by an individual who is a ‘celebrity’ rep.  
Booking terms seem suggest no refunds, just credit to a future booking and stay date.
Who appears as the recipient on your credit card statement against all these part deposits? 
As Tedber remarks, July a long way off and you might just have to see how this plays out. Perhaps however take note to be careful to who and where you spend money on the internet.

ashcomp

Thank you all for your comments and assistance. 

The recipient on my credit card shows ‘Magaluf weekender’

I won’t be making this mistake again with a strange holiday provider. 

I am preparing myself to lose £400 if I am being honest, which is why I asked the questions on here. 

Thanks for all the advice! 

bagand96

I don't think they are a holiday company in any traditional sense of the word.  It's an event, more akin to a festival I suppose, rather than a holiday.  

So if the "event" is cancelled, they will re-arrange and provide alternative dates.  Any decent outfit would offer the choice of a refund if the alternative dates aren't suitable (for example Glastonbury are doing just that).  

macman

From their website:

COVID 19

If COVID 19 has affected your chosen resort meaning there is no possible way for you to enter the country and SUNSEEKER TRAVEL GROUP LTD are forced to postpone the trip, you will offered alternative dates at a later date. If you cannot make any of the offered dates, you will NOT be entitled to a refund. SUNSEEKER TRAVEL GROUP LTD will work with you to offer a suitable date. By signing your agreement and booking on with us, you acknowledge this.

 I would suggest that these terms are unfair and cannot be enforced: if they cancel the trip, you are entitled to a refund as they have breached the contract. You are under no obligation to accept alternative dates. But, given the amateurishness of the whole set-up, I would expect that you'll need to do a chargeback to recover your £400.

Until such time as they do cancel you can do nothing. Then, give them, in writing, 14 days to return your payment. Once that expires, proceed with a  chargeback.

Alan_Bowen

It is certainly a small company starting life as Magaluf Recruit lit. and both directors describe themselves as recruitment consultants rather than travel agents or anything akin to travel. Worryingly they are some months behind in filing a straightforward document at Companies House, and their accounts are certainly not healthy. As others have said, very little you can do at this stage but providing you used a credit card you should be able to claim under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for a refund if it all goes pear-shaped.