Non-refundable Holiday

Jclappi

We booked a holiday through Travel Republic to Majorca last year for August 2021. At the time I thought we were fairly safe and it didn't cross my mind (or I don't remember it being an option) to book a refundable holiday so it is listed as non-refundable.

Due to our jobs, if Majorca remains on the Amber list we won't be able to go as we aren't able to isolate for 10 days afterwards. Is there any way to get some/all of the money back if it is cancelled or do I have no chance? They have actually changed the terms of the holiday as the hotel are now no longer offering a half board option and will be issuing food/drink vouchers instead. Is that possibly an avenue I could go down or won't I have a leg to stand on? Very frustrating as we've saved up as a family for a couple of years for this holiday and it looks like it's all going to be lost unless Majorca is on the Green list when we travel.

Caz3121

what do the terms and conditions state regarding if you choose to cancel?
You should also look at their definitions of significant changes that may allow you to cancel

mattyprice4004

Unfortunately this is a risk anyone took when booking - it was pretty clear COVID would still mean some small changes happen with the hotel etc, and that there was always a risk of quarantine on return.

What does your travel insurance company say about the situation?

Westin

Have you looked at the information on their website?
https://support.travelrepublic.co.uk/Alert/1454127672/Coronavirus-latest-updates-advice-and-information.htm?source=homepage_CovidResponse_mp2

They are only dealing with issues on bookings travelling before 12 July at the moment.   I expect that date is rolling plus they will for your August departure be waiting on news from UK Government sources on the situation nearer the time.

Unless an option to reschedule for later, I think you will have to hold tight and see what happens.  I suspect next meaningful news won't be until after 19 July.

You can of course cancel now but the agreed booking terms and conditions will apply. This may mean some or all monies are lost. Your choice however.

The change of arrangement regarding board 'may' be an exit avenue but without knowing more detail and where you are going then I doubt many here can comment further for sure on this route.  Broadly it might be deemed reasonable for this change if the vouchers can be spent in adjacent or near by restaurants (and it may even be a nice bonus to have such choice). I would say possibly unreasonable as a board change if for example your hotel has a distant location and the useable restaurants are say 5 miles away and you have no car or transport.   Devil's in the detail and in the booking terms and conditions.

Jclappi

Thanks Westin for the feedback. I've spoken to one of their support team today who have informed me that the non-refundable aspect is set by the hotel and they would have to get permission from the hotel to refund or alter the booking due to the change of board basis. They aren't able to provide me with any details about the meal vouchers though as yet (where they are for, what value they have etc). I don't really want to cancel yet as I am hoping we are still able to go as planned and the replacement vouchers may not be the worst thing, so happy to sit back and wait as long as is necessary until we know one way or the other.

mattyprice4004

Jclappi said:

Thanks Westin for the feedback. I've spoken to one of their support team today who have informed me that the non-refundable aspect is set by the hotel and they would have to get permission from the hotel to refund or alter the booking due to the change of board basis. They aren't able to provide me with any details about the meal vouchers though as yet (where they are for, what value they have etc). I don't really want to cancel yet as I am hoping we are still able to go as planned and the replacement vouchers may not be the worst thing, so happy to sit back and wait as long as is necessary until we know one way or the other.

I did ask above about your insurance cover - what have they said so far? 

Jclappi

I do have Insurance with specialist Covid cover. But as far as I am aware no companies are offering cover were you would be able to claim purely due to the destination being on the Amber list? So I think this is a non starter - Happy to be proved wrong though! It is only if you are unable to go due to positive cases/having to isolate etc that you would be able to make a claim.

sheramber

Does your travel insurance cover you for FCO advice against travelling?

Jclappi

Yes, I think so. However, reading the policy the FCDO cover just means that you are still covered even if you are travelling to a country that the Government has advised against travelling to?