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I'm in the same boat (whilst maintaining social distancing...!Has any one had any experience with booking.com cancellations that supposedly don’t have a cancellation option? We booked in Seville for mid April and the establishment did not have free cancellation, but we wanted the location so went for it anyway. On their partner website, Booking.com says Force Majure conditions are in effect, so cancellation fees should be waived. I will likely wait to try. There are 6 of us for 3 nights, so it adds up. Any advice appreciated.
Yes,,, I had a non cancellation booking for a Hotel in Spain for next week,,, by asking politely of bothHas any one had any experience with booking.com cancellations that supposedly don’t have a cancellation option? We booked in Seville for mid April and the establishment did not have free cancellation, but we wanted the location so went for it anyway. On their partner website, Booking.com says Force Majure conditions are in effect, so cancellation fees should be waived. I will likely wait to try. There are 6 of us for 3 nights, so it adds up. Any advice appreciated.
I reserved an apartment in Madrid in January for the end of April for 5 days. The booking allowed free cancellation if done more than 30 days before arrival. I cancelled on March 12. After I cancelled my credit card was charged the full amount. Needless to say I am pursuing this. PS: Bookings.com is not very responsive which I understand but ....not pleased.Has any one had any experience with booking.com cancellations that supposedly don’t have a cancellation option? We booked in Seville for mid April and the establishment did not have free cancellation, but we wanted the location so went for it anyway. On their partner website, Booking.com says Force Majure conditions are in effect, so cancellation fees should be waived. I will likely wait to try. There are 6 of us for 3 nights, so it adds up. Any advice appreciated.
Has any one had any experience with booking.com cancellations that supposedly don’t have a cancellation option? We booked in Seville for mid April and the establishment did not have free cancellation, but we wanted the location so went for it anyway. On their partner website, Booking.com says Force Majure conditions are in effect, so cancellation fees should be waived. I will likely wait to try. There are 6 of us for 3 nights, so it adds up. Any advice appreciated.
I’ve gotten burned TWICE by Booking.com!! They are horrible about responding back to you until you just give up. They screwed me out of $300 +. Plus they totalllllllly misrepresented a closet with a picture of a small living room, dining room and bedroom. I got there and it was literally a closet!!Has any one had any experience with booking.com cancellations that supposedly don’t have a cancellation option? We booked in Seville for mid April and the establishment did not have free cancellation, but we wanted the location so went for it anyway. On their partner website, Booking.com says Force Majure conditions are in effect, so cancellation fees should be waived. I will likely wait to try. There are 6 of us for 3 nights, so it adds up. Any advice appreciated.
I reserved an apartment in Madrid in January for the end of April for 5 days. The booking allowed free cancellation if done more than 30 days before arrival. I cancelled on March 12. After I cancelled my credit card was charged the full amount. Needless to say I am pursuing this. PS: Bookings.com is not very responsive which I understand but ....not pleased.
I, too, was to be in Israel in May (volunteer work) and because of the entry restrictions, will not be going. I am waiting for American Airlines to get to the point where they will refund me my money or allow me a fee-free change (impossible to get through to them, even to book a new flight!). I was to go on to Jordan afterward to join a tour of the historical sites, and that country is closed as well. The tour company will not refund my money because of the Force Majeure clause (they are using it against customers because they say the pandemic is not something they could control, even though the company was the one who cancelled the tour). They will, however, give me a coupon worth 110% of what I've already paid, but only to put towards another tour, which I must take by the end of 2021. It remains to be seen how much their prices will have increased, and if the airlines will let me change travel without penalty. Looks like everyone is taking a hit one way or another and to varying degrees.I'm in the same boat (whilst maintaining social distancing...!) with my trip to Israel in May & June. I usually opt for free cancellation but booked some pre-paid or non-refundable nights as the rate was significantly cheaper. I've cancelled all the 'without penalty' places & will now wait & see. Once I know various travel bans are in effect for my travel dates, then I will tackle the reservations with restrictions.
We all understand the financial ramifications for ourselves & the accom providers; I'm hoping some middle ground can be reached. Initially I will contact the accom directly through booking.com messaging followed by asking b.com to act on my behalf. I've always found their Customer Service to be absolutely top-notch. I'm expecting (& have accepted) the money paid or yet to be paid won't be refunded/excused so anything recouped will be a bonus.
For clarity, I've booked hotels who appear to have high occupancy rates from the domestic Israeli market....I personally would not ask for a refund from small independents whose family income relies on hosting travellers.
Best wishes to us all as we navigate uncharted territory!
You do know that Booking.com has nothing to do with the pictures the the properties use on their site? Blame the property itself, not Booking.com.I’ve gotten burned TWICE by Booking.com!! They are horrible about responding back to you until you just give up. They screwed me out of $300 +. Plus they totalllllllly misrepresented a closet with a picture of a small living room, dining room and bedroom. I got there and it was literally a closet!!
THEY SUCK!!!
Yes, the airline situation is a bit tricky. I was flying from Melbourne into Larnaca, Cyprus with Qatar. They have been proactive right from the beginning offering a fee-free change or a travel voucher to original value valid for 12 months from date of issue. The only thing I'm not sure of is whether you just have to re-book within 12 months, or have commenced your journey, or have completed your journey prior to the expiry date. Haven't yet tackled El Al for the originally non-refundable flight Larnaca to Tel Aviv return.I, too, was to be in Israel in May (volunteer work) and because of the entry restrictions, will not be going. I am waiting for American Airlines to get to the point where they will refund me my money or allow me a fee-free change (impossible to get through to them, even to book a new flight!). I was to go on to Jordan afterward to join a tour of the historical sites, and that country is closed as well. The tour company will not refund my money because of the Force Majeure clause (they are using it against customers because they say the pandemic is not something they could control, even though the company was the one who cancelled the tour). They will, however, give me a coupon worth 110% of what I've already paid, but only to put towards another tour, which I must take by the end of 2021. It remains to be seen how much their prices will have increased, and if the airlines will let me change travel without penalty. Looks like everyone is taking a hit one way or another and to varying degrees.
I wish you all the best as we all get through this together.
Has the night in question now passed or still upcoming? If it's passed, you might struggle.I've contacted one of my lodgings several times.
They charged me the night before we were forced to fly home.
No response so far.
I've written both booking.com and the hotel.
I have in the past, but right now I would guess that's it's nigh on impossible.Has anyone been able to get in touch with a human being at booking.com?
If so, can you help me figure out how?
Unlikely. Ryanair has $16.1 billion in assets, including a huge pile of cash.I'm fearful that Ryanair will go belly up in this shit storm.
Yes, once in Malaga. I talked to them about a crappy hostal I was placed in, and 15 mins. later they called back, having found me a nice place in Malaga centre for Easter week.Has anyone been able to get in touch with a human being at booking.com?
If so, can you help me figure out how?
Has anyone been able to get in touch with a human being at booking.com?
If so, can you help me figure out how?
Has anyone been able to get in touch with a human being at booking.com?
If so, can you help me figure out how?
Sorry that you have had bad experiences with them. I have used booking.com more than 40 times, taking advantage of only those locations that offer free (for a small increase in the cost of the room) cancellation up to a few days before arrival. Just on my three previous, and upcoming Camino I have made and cancelled a number of reservations without any issues.I’ve gotten burned TWICE by Booking.com!! They are horrible about responding back to you until you just give up. They screwed me out of $300 +. Plus they totalllllllly misrepresented a closet with a picture of a small living room, dining room and bedroom. I got there and it was literally a closet!!
THEY SUCK!!!
Has anyone been able to get in touch with a human being at booking.com?
If so, can you help me figure out how?
I have had this problem with booking.com. I cancelled my hotel and even though there was a no refund the policy for cancelling I requested at least a partial, if not full refund due to the extraordinary circumstances. The hotel immediately deducted my credit card and replied that their policy stood - no refund. I then contacted booking. com and received nothing but a standard form letter. I have contacted them again and am waiting for a response.
I have in the past, but right now I would guess that's it's nigh on impossible.
This site might be of help Partner.booking.com. It will tell you what booking.com is saying to the hotels. ( sorry, not sure how to make it a link)
I've heard from booking.com. They are asking the hotel to refund the cancellation fee. Just have to wait now.
I have used Booking.com extensively on our last two of three caminos and have mostly had a positive experience. In a few cases where there was a dispute regarding our reservation, Booking.com intervened to come up with a satisfactory outcome for us and the albergue.
Anticipating another Camino Frances this fall, we booked many reservations last November for a Sept-Oct camino this year. All of our reservations with Booking.com had no charge cancellation within two weeks of the reservation. Except one - which had a non refundable clause for our reservation. I was okay with this at the time. However, with the global COVID-19 pandemic, I reached out to the albergue several times - through Booking.com and directly to the albergue on their website. I explained the issue and asked if international travel is not allowed, will they not charge me for the room. No response despite several messages.
I have asked Booking.com to intervene and their approach is a joke. After responding to their on line assistance, their response was to have me contact the albergue directly to work the issue out. If I am unable to get a response and eventually am charged for the private room, any suggestions how to appeal this? I'm very disappointed that Booking.com is not willing to intervene.
Gracias ! Bob
I have used Booking.com extensively on our last two of three caminos and have mostly had a positive experience. In a few cases where there was a dispute regarding our reservation, Booking.com intervened to come up with a satisfactory outcome for us and the albergue.
Anticipating another Camino Frances this fall, we booked many reservations last November for a Sept-Oct camino this year. All of our reservations with Booking.com had no charge cancellation within two weeks of the reservation. Except one - which had a non refundable clause for our reservation. I was okay with this at the time. However, with the global COVID-19 pandemic, I reached out to the albergue several times - through Booking.com and directly to the albergue on their website. I explained the issue and asked if international travel is not allowed, will they not charge me for the room. No response despite several messages.
I have asked Booking.com to intervene and their approach is a joke. After responding to their on line assistance, their response was to have me contact the albergue directly to work the issue out. If I am unable to get a response and eventually am charged for the private room, any suggestions how to appeal this? I'm very disappointed that Booking.com is not willing to intervene.
Gracias ! Bob
Except one - which had a non refundable clause for our reservation.
That clearly is unfortunate for you, but can you explain the principle you feel is at stake here?The hotel ( Turim Marques in Lisbon) grudgingly offered me a voucher to use within 12 months but I have refused as there is a principle at stake here.
Booking .com have contacted me and told me the hotel has refused to budge on the 'non refundable' clause in spite of the unprecedented conditions. The hotel ( Turim Marques in Lisbon) grudgingly offered me a voucher to use within 12 months but I have refused as there is a principle at stake here. I would rather lose the money than stay in this establishment.
That clearly is unfortunate for you, but can you explain the principle you feel is at stake here?
Hi, I sympathise. From your earlier post you say you first cancelled your non-refundable booking, and then you requested a refund. That may be the problem. It does seem to be up to the owner regarding refunds for non-refundable bookings. Possibly if you’d first contacted them explaining the situation they may have been more sympathetic. Although some people appear to be getting refunds for non-refundable bookings I would suggest that that is unusual, and most places will give you a credit to be used at a later date. That seems quite reasonable to me. I think you should take the voucher.
I had to rebook all of my camino stops to next year. They were a mixture of free cancellation and no cancellation. For the no cancellation ones (there were about 7 of these) I contacted the property and asked them if I could move the dates. All of them agreed to change the dates. The earlier i contacted them the easier it was.Has any one had any experience with booking.com cancellations that supposedly don’t have a cancellation option? We booked in Seville for mid April and the establishment did not have free cancellation, but we wanted the location so went for it anyway. On their partner website, Booking.com says Force Majure conditions are in effect, so cancellation fees should be waived. I will likely wait to try. There are 6 of us for 3 nights, so it adds up. Any advice appreciated.
I have had this problem with booking.com. I cancelled my hotel and even though there was a no refund policy for cancelling I requested at least a partial, if not full refund due to the extraordinary circumstances. The hotel immediately deducted my credit card and replied that their policy stood - no refund. I then contacted booking. com and received nothing but a standard form letter. I have contacted them again and am waiting for a response.
I must admit that I interpreted your earlier post on this to mean that you had cancelled your booking, not that the hotel had come to you on the basis that they were not going to be able to provide the service. I would have said that the relevant consideration is that they were still able to provide the service (unless you have some information that they did close) and you found yourself in the position of not being able to use service.The hotel is taking advantage of this pandemic to take money for a service they are unable to provide. Were I to accept their very reluctant offer of a voucher I would be condoning their actions.
If it is any consolation you are apparently not the only person who cancelled and did not get a refund. There are long exchanges on the internet about Portugal, hotel reservations and Covid-19. The Portuguese government issued a Decree Law No. 17/2020 that also addresses cancellation of reservations made by travel and tourism agencies, for the period from 13 March 2020 to 30 September 2020 but I've not studied it in detail and can't say obviously whether this decree law applies to your situation. With Portugal being such a sought after destination for tourism, there are bound to be hundreds if not thousands of people in the same situation as you.My position is simple. The hotels no refund policy should not apply during an international crisis when travel had been forbidden by government order. I refuse to support in any way a business that used this crisis to take money for a service they did not provide.
You are right, the Portuguese Government has provided relief from the operation of things like no refund policies, as @Kathar1na has suggested.My position is simple. The hotels no refund policy should not apply during an international crisis when travel had been forbidden by government order. I refuse to support in any way a business that used this crisis to take money for a service they did not provide.
My reading is that this Decree entitles a traveller to obtain a voucher of equal value to the payment made, valid until 31 December 2021. (see https://dre.pt/web/en/home/-/contents/132332504/details/normal).Decree Law No. 17/2020 that also addresses cancellation of reservations made by travel and tourism agencies, for the period from 13 March 2020 to 30 September 2020
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