Money Moral Dilemma: Friends cancelled our reunion at short notice - should they pay for my hotel?

Curmudgeon228

They won’t reimburse you for reasons given by other people already. I’d just write a sarcastic email about lightweight friends who give short notice of cancellations. You probably won’t see them again, but would you want to, anyway?  I always look for free cancellation facility on Booking.com. 

PennyDD

Similar happened to me.  I had booked a room as I was attending a ball.  The function was postponed until later in the year but the hotel refused to change my booking.  I went to the hotel on said night anyway and had a night out instead.  Won't be booking a room again after the ball tho'.  Subsequently got travel insurance as that would have covered me.  (not for friends cancelling though)

flowerystripes

It would depend why they cancelled. If it was just on a whim and they didn’t offer to pay for your room then they aren’t up to much as friends. 

miser123

Yes if they want to remain friends.

maisie_cat

Sometimes these things are a relatively inexpensive way of finding that people are not friends, it cost my husband several thousand pounds to find out that a friend was anything but

Angelica123

Unfortunately, this is an expensive lesson re having flexible bookings where possible. I remember booking a non-refundable room for a wedding thinking that was something that would definitely happen on that date, only for COVID to hit. Luckily, the hotel allowed me to change the booking to the date that was eventually the wedding date. 

I think 3 weeks is enough notice that I would expect you to be able to cancel a booking or make alternative arrangements. I would feel differently if you had booked for everyone (in which case they should definitely pay the person booking) or if they cancelled on the day, or the day before - then I think it would not be unreasonable for your friends to ensure that you weren't out of pocket. I always double checks with friends before booking anything where it won't be easy to cancel and always make sure to emphasise when me booking something will leave me being charged even if they don't show (eg restaurant bookings that will charge your credit card) - it helps weed out people who are 50:50. 

Sounds like they aren't good friends and this is probably the sign that while last year's reunion was nice, this friendship is not going anywhere.

peter999

Rubbish friends, rubbish people !

Don't waste your time on them.