Cancelling with least finance implications

vicker

Posting for a friend:

Her husband cannot come on their booked holiday in less than 28 days as he's starting a new job. 

If she just turns up at the hotel/plane without him, will there be negative consequences for the party?

If she cancels the place and uses the insurance to claim back the money (allowed in her travel insurance policy) is there likely to be a fee to pay upfront?

The agent has said there's now surcharges, due to there only being one adult. Are they likely to be more than him not turning up?

Bottom line is that she doesn't want to have to pay more for her husband not going, particularly as his flight, room and food have already been spent. Is she likely to have to? 

BFBW

No negative consequences at all. Just don't cancel anything.

Dodgy agent. How can there be surcharges if you have already paid for two people? Surcharge is to cover if there is just one person staying in a room priced per person, with a two person minimum. But since you have already paid for two people, there can be no surcharge for one person staying. More reasons to cut middlemen and their dodgy behaviour out of the equation.

jimi_man

If you've paid for two adults then there shouldn't be an issue if one of them doesn't go. 

Ayr_Rage

I've never heard of any travel insurance policy that will pay out as someone has started a new job.

Please do tell us which insurer covers that.

Bigphil1474

I think the OP is asking if they travel alone after cancelling one person of the party, not if she doesn't cancel anything.

OP, you would have to check the Ts&Cs of the travel agent and the insurer. Insurance is usually only for any losses you can't get back from the travel company, so you'd start with the travel company. As above, I'd be surprised if the insurers cover change of job, but then I'm often surprised. You are unlikely to get all his half back as the cost of 2 people is usually not twice the cost of one person.

Voyager2002

BFBW said:

No negative consequences at all. Just don't cancel anything.

Dodgy agent. How can there be surcharges if you have already paid for two people? Surcharge is to cover if there is just one person staying in a room priced per person, with a two person minimum. But since you have already paid for two people, there can be no surcharge for one person staying. More reasons to cut middlemen and their dodgy behaviour out of the equation.

It is not unusual to find instances where the cost for one person, including single supplement, is more than the cost for a couple. An interesting question is whether, if a couple books and only one person travels, they have a means to collect the difference.

vicker

Tesco insurance 
Thanks for all the help so far 

sheramber

vicker said:

Posting for a friend:

Her husband cannot come on their booked holiday in less than 28 days as he's starting a new job. 

If she just turns up at the hotel/plane without him, will there be negative consequences for the party?

If she cancels the place and uses the insurance to claim back the money (allowed in her travel insurance policy) is there likely to be a fee to pay upfront?

The agent has said there's now surcharges, due to there only being one adult. Are they likely to be more than him not turning up?

Bottom line is that she doesn't want to have to pay more for her husband not going, particularly as his flight, room and food have already been spent. Is she likely to have to? 

The agent may be referring to an admin charge for cancelling and rebooking .

la531983

Thats a bizarre clause to have in travel insurance. Surely most new employers will work around pre-booked holidays. The fact they clearly are not willing to is surely not a good sign.

saajan_12

la531983 said:

Thats a bizarre clause to have in travel insurance. Surely most new employers will work around pre-booked holidays. The fact they clearly are not willing to is surely not a good sign.

The new employer may have tried to work around it, but if it just didn't suit (eg those exact dates are critical or have too many others off already) then they may not be able to accommodate. If the candidate is left with the option to skip the holiday or not get the job, it may make sense for them to get the job. 

None of that is alarming, beign willing is not a guarantee. 

Hoenir

la531983 said:

Thats a bizarre clause to have in travel insurance. Surely most new employers will work around pre-booked holidays. The fact they clearly are not willing to is surely not a good sign.

Without having accrued leave. The only option maybe to take the time off as unpaid.