Booking.com refusing to refund.

Lavenderlamb

I booked a caravan at the weekend for a potential last minute stay at the coast and as I wasn't 100% sure we were able to go I specifically booked accommodation that offered free cancellation up to August 31st, approximately 5 days before we were due to go. As it transpired, I needed to cancel the booking, and upon checking my confirmation email from Booking.com, it actually stated that it was non-refundable. Cut a long story short, after several phone calls they are refusing to refund the money as they say the booking is within 30 days, despite offering a free cancellation date on their website. Stupidly, I paid with my debit card and not my credit card so have little or no comeback with my bank. Can anyone offer any advice (apart from use your credit card next time!). Thanks in advance.

fuzzything

Booking.com has varying flexibility terms, without a link to the page I can’t comment on appropriate options.

With debit card transactions you can request a charge back for cancelled services, but it might be reversed if the merchant persuades your card issuer that cancellation is not allowed by the terms of sale.

born_again

While Booking.com offer a free cancellation policy. It is covered in the small print that this is subject to the hosts T/C. So if host has a no refund policy, booking.com policy does not come into play.

Catches a lot of people out does this.

You have no chargeback right as you cancelled the stay. No matter what any T/C say. Would be the same if you had used a CC.