Holiday refund if too scared to go

Welchyy0709

We booked a holiday with Transun last year to go to Lapland last Decemeber which was moved to this year due to the Pandemic.
We now have a balance to be paid on the 11th October. Currently restrictions are they do not allow UK people in the country which is 'due' to change on the 31st October. Transun are demanding the balance to be paid before the 11th October.

What rights do i have? I booked the holiday BEFORE the pandemic started, we dont want to go anymore. We are scared we will not return before Christmas due to the Pandemic and do not want to pay £800 more than we have paid already.

Please let me know your thoughts on where i stand on this?

Thanks,
Chris

elsien

This is disinclination to travel and you are entitled to whatever terms and conditions for you to cancel that you agreed to when you signed up. 

What do they say about you cancelling and what you need to pay? Usually what you may or may not still owe depends on how many weeks it is till the travel date. 

Travel insurance won’t cover this. 

Welchyy0709

They demand full payment on 11th October and the holiday is not until 21st December. if not we loose what we have paid already which is the deposit of £200 i believe it is.

elsien

Then that’s your decision - lose whatever amount it says in their cancellation policy or pay the balance and wait to see if they cancel it or not. If you’re adamant you don’t want to go then cancelling now seems the best option, but double check the small print to see if it is just the deposit that you lose. 

Welchyy0709

thats what im saying, so there isnt a way to get deposit back?

elsien

Only if they cancel, not you.

CKhalvashi

If you pay, you will have a right to a refund under the PTD if ineligible to enter the country.

If you decide you don't wish to proceed with your booking, you will be subject to the terms of your contract with the agent.

Welchyy0709

Does it not make a difference if booked the holiday BEFORE the pandemic?

bargainbetty

Welchyy0709 said:

Does it not make a difference if booked the holiday BEFORE the pandemic?

No. You are choosing to not travel, rather than it being prohibited. If you have changed your mind, they keep the deposit unless the T&Cs say otherwise. 

onashoestring

Check the T&Cs if you cancel because you are disinclined to travel you may owe more than the deposit - it all depends on the T&Cs for your holiday provider and the date on which you cancel . ( how long before the holiday ) 

bagand96

Transun T&C's can be found here https://www.transun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/

Balance is due 10 weeks before departure. 

If the customer cancels they are subject to the following: 

 6. If You Cancel Your Holiday You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the person who made the booking, or your travel agent must be received at our offices. Since we incur costs in cancelling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows:

 

Period before departure:	Cancellation charge:
More than 70 days	Deposit only
29-70 days	50% or deposit if greater
15-28 days	75% or deposit if greater
14 days or later	100%

 

Note: If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

So your choice is:

1) Cancel now and lose the deposit 
2) Don't pay the balance when it's due. This will be treated as cancellation and you lose your deposit. 
3) Pay the balance and go on the trip. 
4) Pay the balance and hope Transun have to cancel the trip, in which case you'll get a full refund. 

Option 4 isn't really an option if you have definitely decided not to go.  None of us can predict the future with any certainty, but I think the chances of them needing to cancel are quite slim now.