Does taking credit note forfeit right to a refund?

misterbarlow

We made a booking at the end of 2019 pre covid for a sat-sat break for this Easter 2021 at a UK lodge site for £450, which obv couldn't go ahead as everything was still closed.

The company emailed us a few weeks before stating this, and the generic email said if anyone had booked for Easter weeks, they would move it to next Easter for no additional cost and to contact them.
They are a nightmare to contact I tried for several days, and eventually got through after hours trying, but was told next Easter was fully booked already, I was unsure what to do at the time so she said she would credit the account for now while I decide, and I agreed.
When I checked on their website later, indeed Easter 2022 was showing nothing available.

However, if you search for Easter 2022 now, there is plenty of availability, but the same lodge we booked for this year for £450 is now £1300 for the same week next Easter.
I am thinking we were told they were fully booked as they didn't want to stand by their offer and us having a £1300 booking for £450??

This has annoyed me, so I have emailed them four times now saying we don't want the credit we now want a full refund, and they have totally ignored me, every time I have had no reply at all. trying to ring them you are on hold for hours..

If I have already accepted a credit, does that then give them to right to refuse me a refund??

Upsidedownandaround

Yes it does.

Mrsn

Sadly so... once accepted that is it.

[Deleted User]

How annoying.  Can you name the company? Will maybe shed some light on whether they are responsible for pricing or merely agents for the owners.  Most staycations have shot up for this and next year but this does sound unreasonable and then to deny you a refund adds insult to injury imo.   Probably legal but unethical.  

If you have written confirmation that you have been told you can book for next year at same price and you have confirmation that there are places available you could argue the toss but a lot will depend on who ultimately has control over charges.  

At the very least they should refund you your money purely out of goodwill.  Whether they will or not without a fight is anyone’s guess but I think I would try.  It’s a shady thing to do.  You could send screen shots/photocopies of any correspondence between you offering rebooking at same price and any proof there is availability for your dates for next year.  

Good luck.  

misterbarlow

thanks for the replies... it was with Aria resorts btw!

gettingtheresometime

My feeling is, & i appreciate I might be alone in this view, is that companies have put up their prices for Easter 2022 assuming people won't want to travel internationally.

My guess is they're mistaken & prices will fall dramatically 

elsien

Crediting the account isn’t a guarantee of the same price being held though - although that increase does seem to be well over the top.