Pre-Paid non-refundable hotel

jrochie

Hi all,

Just a quick one I'm not sure if there will be anything I can do.

Booked a hotel for the 6 Oct - 11 Oct as I'm working in Dublin and hadn't found a place to stay. Ended up getting a good deal through hotels.com for the Louis Fitzgerald at Newlands Cross. As it happened the deal was listed as non-refund for cancellations/changes, something I didn't realize until after I had booked. Obviously that's my fault that I didn't read through correctly.

Well as it happens I've found a place to stay and they are looking for me to move in Monday. I'm pretty gutted that I'm going to lose the payment for the hotel now, its €220 which is actually a good deal for the place all things considered!

Does anyone know if there is anything I can do to sort this? Going to contact hotels.com to check if there is anything on their side but not overly hopefully.
Is it possible to sell a hotel booking?!?!

thanks

miamee

Usually hotels are non-refundable if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, otherwise it should be refundable - however that is only based on my experience.
They still have ample time to fill the room for those nights. Check with hotels.com if you booked via them - they will still have time to sell their room slots also, you probably should have asked them rather than the hotel directly if they are who you paid money to.

athtrasna

miamee wrote: »

Usually hotels are non-refundable if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, otherwise it should be refundable - however that is only based on my experience.
They still have ample time to fill the room for those nights. Check with hotels.com if you booked via them - they will still have time to sell their room slots also, you probably should have asked them rather than the hotel directly if they are who you paid money to.

Most hotels do what they call "advance purchase rates" which are often significantly cheaper than their basic rate. These are fully paid at the time of booking and will be marked as non-refundable, this is usually strictly enforced.

Sorry OP it's an expensive lesson to learn. For future reference, I usually use booking.com and look out for their hotels that offer free cancellation (even if it's €10/20 more expensive per night to book that rate) if there's any doubt that I might not need the room.

kerry4sam

jrochie wrote: »

...

Does anyone know if there is anything I can do to sort this? Going to contact hotels.com to check if there is anything on their side but not overly hopefully.
Is it possible to sell a hotel booking?!?!

thanks

Situations like this can arise and people have contacted me re: similar situations they find themselves in. Contact the hotel directly and see if they would be willing to assist you; also speak with hotels.com
~ On occasion they will out you in a 3-way conversation and phone hotel on your behalf along the lines of "... we on this occasion won't charge the guest (you) if you are willing to cancel the booking (hotel) without a charge...".

NB:- As you chose the pre-pay option, they are under no obligation to assist you with this option, but may do so out of courteousy.

~ Alternative then: Maybe offer the accommodation package as a gift for someone.

May some contact with both parties & let us know how you get on. Oh! Writing, ask for whatever is agreed by all parties, ask for that to be put in an e-mail for you.

Hope that helps in some way,
kerry4sam

jrochie

Hi guys,

thanks for the help so far.

I've made contact with both hotels.com and the hotel itself so waiting to hear back.

End of the day I know its my mistake so not overly hopefully but would be nice if something could be arranged. I won't be bad mouthing either party if I don't get sorted!

Will update once i hear anything.

coleen

Hi
This happened to me once and I put it up on done deal at a slightly lower price so re couped most of my money so that is an option for you