Any success stories please? Cancelling hotel bookings even if reservation does not allow

coconutcurls

So... train strikes announced for the 26th August and my hotel reservation does not allow free cancellation or modification - I would lose the total amount of my 3 night stay (Holiday Inn).

I have spoken on the phone with Holiday Inn and Booking.com and they are both saying that the final decision is up to the other...

So I've written an email to Holiday Inn explaining the situation and requesting them to consider my case and to cancel my booking waving the cancelling fee which is the whole total amount (I will lose all the money)

Booking.com did the same from their side. They told me they would tell Holiday Inn they would wave their own fees so Holiday Inn would not have to pay anything to Booking.com.

What are the chances I can be successful with this?

Anyone got successful stories from previous strikes?

I don't drive so I can't go by car and a coach would be double the time meaning I would miss the a whole day (the coach leaves way later than the train) but also my daughter who is coming with me is autistic and has MH issues so going by coach would just add another layer of complication, she is already extremely anxious because of the uncertainty.

And finally, I have two cats but my sister who was supposed to come and stay to look after them will also be unable to travel due to the strike and I really don't want to use ask anybody else.

Disclaimer  - I didn't mention those last two issues on the email, just the strike, should I do it?

Thanks 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

How much is the booking OP and how much are you expected to pay in the event of cancellation?

coconutcurls

@the_lunatic_is_in_my_head the booking is £292.32 and cancelation is £292.32 - so I cancel, lose my money and the hotel can book somebody else in? 
Does not make sense but it is the option I chose at checkout - I never travel so didn't consider strikes or anything else unfortunately.

coconutcurls

Email just received from Holiday Inn

Good Afternoon,

Thank-you for your email. 

Unfortunately, due to the rate you booked on (Advanced Saver Rate) this means the booking is non-refundable and you are unable to cancel. For future reference, please book using the best flexible rate, this allows you free cancellation up to 4pm the day before arrival. 

 Apologies for any inconveniences.

Is it worth explaining the whole situation re: my daughter and my pets and ask for re-consideration or a Holiday Inncredit for the future?

MattMattMattUK

coconutcurls said:

Email just received from Holiday Inn

Good Afternoon,

Thank-you for your email. 

Unfortunately, due to the rate you booked on (Advanced Saver Rate) this means the booking is non-refundable and you are unable to cancel. For future reference, please book using the best flexible rate, this allows you free cancellation up to 4pm the day before arrival. 

 Apologies for any inconveniences.

Is it worth explaining the whole situation re: my daughter and my pets and ask for re-consideration or a Holiday Inncredit for the future?

You can ask, but in reality they will not care unless you you are high tier Rewards member. There is no harm in asking as you might get a £50 voucher as a gesture if you are lucky.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

coconutcurls said:

Email just received from Holiday Inn

Good Afternoon,

Thank-you for your email. 

Unfortunately, due to the rate you booked on (Advanced Saver Rate) this means the booking is non-refundable and you are unable to cancel. For future reference, please book using the best flexible rate, this allows you free cancellation up to 4pm the day before arrival. 

 Apologies for any inconveniences.

Is it worth explaining the whole situation re: my daughter and my pets and ask for re-consideration or a Holiday Inncredit for the future?

Does the booking emails have any terms stating what law he booking is governed by?

This is Holiday Inn?

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/reservation

zoob

Just go on the 27th and stay 2 nights, obviously inform the hotel off your late arrival 

bris

They can only refuse you a refund if the have failed to mitigate the loss.

For instance if they rebook the rooms it would be paid for twice, which would be unfair.

There is a "but" with this though, they would have to be fully booked at the time. 

They can fill vacant rooms first before mitigating your loss. they already have your money so will leave it open right up until the day in question. If the hotel has rooms available on the days in question then you're out of luck, if you phone them on the days in question and ask for a room and they say they are fully booked including your rooms then you are due a refund.

Chances are however that your rooms will remain available for you as they wont really know if you will be showing up or not.

born_again

Can you not use another form of transport?
Bus etc.

coconutcurls

Thanks all

I have decided to take a risk and bought coach tickets - not ideal but it is what it is. 

I have let them know that I will be arriving much later and gave them my arrival time. 

Now…I’ve been trying to get my outbond train ticket refunded by Trainline due to the strike and I know I have 100% right of a refund but there are no options on their website and app. No phone to call. Just information telling me I have the right to claim refund. 
Is it too early still?
I’ve sent an email. 

Plus anyone travelled from London to Grimbsy by coach? What is the coach like?
And is the coach stop close enough to Holiday Inn which is very close to the train station?

Thanks

user1977

I suspect technically you can't claim a refund until after the date (as it's possible the strike will be called off or that otherwise the train might run).