Mexico pre paid accommodation

Kaz4545

Not sure what to do. I paid for accommodation only for an all inclusive holiday in Mexico, flights not included.  Booked and paid for in 2019

I was supposed to go in March 2020 , provisionally booked it but luckily not the flights, but postponed it until the May 2020. This was all pre Covid. 

The company have extended the accommodation and kept it valid until the end of April 2022,  but I’ve been checking government site and even though Mexico is amber, you can’t fly there unless it’s essential and your insurance is invalid 

The holiday company will not refund my money and I will lose it if I can’t travel by end of April 2022. They are  something to do with hard rock but a time share taster for that company. 

My travel insurance is with my nationwide account. I’ve already contacted them and they don’t want to know and have advised I wouldn’t  be covered for Covid issues as they changed the terms of their account travel insurance in January 2021. 

They stated that even though I paid for it in 2019, it’s the date I travel is when the insurance kicks in. 

I can’t see the government stance changing prior to May 2022 for worldwide travel. Anyone got any ideas on what I can do? 

[Deleted User]

Hang on in there is the only advice anyone can give. You have a while to go yet.

p3ncilsharpener

The Government are not saying you can't go there unless it's essential, they're advising not to go there unless it's essential.  If you want to go, just go.

As far as insurance goes, find a different insurer.

Sandtree

Kaz4545 said:

I can’t see the government stance changing prior to May 2022 for worldwide travel. Anyone got any ideas on what I can do? 

You cannot see them changing their stance when they are changing it all the time? Just wait for one of Boris' mates to be invited to a shindig out in Mexico and you'll find the guidance suddenly changes.

As to options:

1) Change insurer to one that does cover travel against FCO advice (eg Battleface) 
2) Travel without insurance
3) Lose the money

Westin

One of the draw backs of not booking a package holiday.  If one element of the trip (e.g. the flights) are not available then there is no automatic right to get a refund on the separately booked other elements of the holiday.

Good to see that the hotel has offered to extend your accommodation credit until April 2022.  Lets all hope way before then that our lives return to some normality and travel (and your trip) is possible by then.

p3ncilsharpener

Westin said:

One of the draw backs of not booking a package holiday.  If one element of the trip (e.g. the flights) are not available then there is no automatic right to get a refund on the separately booked other elements of the holiday.

Good to see that the hotel has offered to extend your accommodation credit until April 2022.  Lets all hope way before then that our lives return to some normality and travel (and your trip) is possible by then.

But flights to Mexico are available, and nobody is saying the OP can't go (except the OP it seems).  It's the OP who doesn't seem to have understood that the FCO advice is, well, advice.

In terms of "Well I don't want to go because it's not safe" the OP would probably be much safer in Mexico, their case count per 100,000 is drastically lower than the UK's.

CKhalvashi

There's no package here, so there is no protection under package travel rules.

Assuming the hotel is open and you've booked a non-refundable rate, the terms offered look more than fair.

FCO advice is just that, you are welcome to ignore it. If you're worried about an insurer, Battleface (who I'm not a customer of and have no personal experience with) are one that is recommended for such travel. Check any exclusions and terms carefully.

Kaz4545

thanks all. Can’t even sort anything out now anyway! 

See what next year brings 

lisyloo

Sandtree said:

Kaz4545 said:

I can’t see the government stance changing prior to May 2022 for worldwide travel. Anyone got any ideas on what I can do? 

You cannot see them changing their stance when they are changing it all the time? Just wait for one of Boris' mates to be invited to a shindig out in Mexico and you'll find the guidance suddenly changes.

As to options:

1) Change insurer to one that does cover travel against FCO advice (eg Battleface) 
2) Travel without insurance
3) Lose the money

4) wait a bit longer. The OP has 8-9 months.

sheramber

Mexico is now on red list.