flopped holiday plan but no refund for cancelling trip

memomtoo

not fully sure if am at the right thread
my spouse wanted to surprise me so booked holiday to US, i suddenly got job which need to start from the week that he planned the vacation. It cannot be changed as it is only expected to start from that day. Now he wanted to cancel the trip but we are not getting any refund due to their no refund policy. Truly heart breaking as it is a big loss and does anyone have this type of experience?

is it any possible to claim the monies back that we paid as it is not small monies?

Hitman3000

Had you travel insurance?

memomtoo

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Had you travel insurance?

not sure I need to check that actually and what way does it help?

Tenigate

Who do you expect to "claim" from?

Have you told your employer about the holiday and asked to delay your start date?

njs030

memomtoo wrote: »

not sure I need to check that actually and what way does it help?

If you have travel insurance you could claim off that.
Otherwise if there's a no refund policy then I'm afraid that's it, you can ask your new job to start a bit later and explain why maybe.

dudara

Make your new employer aware of your holiday commitments. If they still insist that you start on that date, ask them if they will cover the cost of rebooking the trip. Work should never leave you out of pocket.

Alternatively, if you have travel insurance, see if you can claim off that.

memomtoo

Tenigate wrote: »

Who do you expect to "claim" from?

Have you told your employer about the holiday and asked to delay your start date?

Claim from agency where my husband booked!

Yes, indeed I notified my employer that we booked a big vacation, my husband did not know and I agreed to start as I myself did not know until I shocked him with my job news:(
I mentioned to my employer but they stated that I agreed and the whole batch starts the same day and it is strictly no absence policy during training period

Cakerbaker

Was it booked through a travel agent or with airline / hotels seperately? If it was separate the hotel might have a different cancellation policy to the airline? May also be worth checking to see if you could change the dates to dates that suit? May have to pay a fee for this but may be better than cancelling depending on the money involved.

I don’t see travel insurance covering this as you’re essentially just deciding not to go. While it’s for a good reason insurance generally only covers cancellations for emergencies like serious medical reasons.

Tails142

Sometimes you can rebook a holiday for different dates at a fee, you should see if you can do that rather than cancel and lose everything

memomtoo

its booked through agency so they are not refunding.

Would you suggest me checking with my HR as am just starting, was afraid if its any not good impression at the start? it is a big loss and I think I can recheck about the possibility of postponing but I think there is an extra charge for that, should check with them but the agency guy sounding rigid with this, they don't seem refunding or considering a suitable option. even if we wish to postpone(if plan after my training is done), it seems they are charging a lot extra:(

memomtoo

Tails142 wrote: »

Sometimes you can rebook a holiday for different dates at a fee, you should see if you can do that rather than cancel and lose everything

This is the only One hope I'm left with I believe I should check with the guy tomorrow and will post back if found a solution, yeah its once in a lifetime type of plan he made poor thing and I'm disappointing. I asked him watch Vacation movie as he plays a bit of this type of role:)

Hitman3000

memomtoo wrote:

not sure I need to check that actually and what way does it help?

Unable to travel due to work commitments maybe covered.

Hitman3000

memomtoo wrote:

This is the only One hope I'm left with I believe I should check with the guy tomorrow and will post back if found a solution, yeah its once in a lifetime type of plan he made poor thing and I'm disappointing. I asked him watch Vacation movie as he plays a bit of this type of role

Failing everything else try and sell the holiday, you will take a hit but not as much as a no refund.

memomtoo

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Unable to travel due to work commitments maybe covered.

"Unable to travel due to work commitments"??where to claim this??

Teyla Emmagan

memomtoo wrote:

"Unable to travel due to work commitments"??where to claim this??

You give this as a reason for claiming on your travel insurance. If you have any. If not, you're out of luck.

rainbowtrout

dudara wrote: »

Make your new employer aware of your holiday commitments. If they still insist that you start on that date, ask them if they will cover the cost of rebooking the trip. Work should never leave you out of pocket.

Alternatively, if you have travel insurance, see if you can claim off that.

Why would the employer have to fork out for the OPs holiday? The holiday was booked before the OP was an employee and by the sounds of it, isn't yet an employee as they haven't started.

memomtoo wrote: »

Claim from agency where my husband booked!

Yes, indeed I notified my employer that we booked a big vacation, my husband did not know and I agreed to start as I myself did not know until I shocked him with my job news:(
I mentioned to my employer but they stated that I agreed and the whole batch starts the same day and it is strictly no absence policy during training period

Looks like you have a choice, take the job or take the holiday.

memomtoo wrote: »

"Unable to travel due to work commitments"??where to claim this??

Why do you think you have a right to claim? Travel insurance won't pay out on you starting a new job. Sometimes shit happens.

Here is an example from VHI website of their policy, I'd imagine most travel insurance policies are similar.

Cancellation cover applies if Your Trip takes place within the Period of Insurance, but prior to departing from the Republic of Ireland You
are forced to cancel Your travel plans during Your Period of Insurance because of one of the following changes in circumstances which are
beyond Your control and of which You were unaware at the time You booked the Trip and/or purchased this policy. Please see also, the “Travel
Delay” cover (Section 11).
Curtailment cover applies if You are forced to cut short a Trip You have commenced because of one of the following changes in circumstances
which is beyond Your control and You were unaware at the time You commenced Your Trip.
Changes in Circumstances
• Unforeseen illness, injury or death of You or any person with whom You have arranged to travel or stay during the Trip, or upon whom
Your Trip depended.
• The death, imminent demise, or hospitalisation due to serious accident or unforeseen illness, of Your Close Relative or the Close Relative
of any person upon whom Your Trip depends.
• Your abandoning Your Trip following the cancellation of or a delay of more than 12 hours in the departure of Your outward flight, seacrossing
or coach or train journey, forming part of the Trip’s itinerary. This must be as a direct result of Strike or Industrial Action (of
which You were unaware at the time You either booked the Trip or purchased this policy, whichever is the later), adverse weather
conditions, or the mechanical breakdown of, or accident involving, the aircraft, sea vessel, coach or train.
• Your outward international flight, sea-crossing or international coach or train journey, forming part of the Trip’s itinerary, having been
cancelled and no suitable alternative having been provided within 12 hours of the booked departure time. The cancellation must be as
a result of Strike or Industrial Action (of which You were unaware at the time You made travel arrangements for the Trip), adverse
weather conditions, or the mechanical breakdown of, or accident involving, the aircraft, sea vessel, coach or train.
• You or any person with whom You plan to travel being called up for jury service or being subpoenaed as a witness in a court of law
(other than in a professional or advisory capacity).
• If You are made redundant and You qualify for redundancy payment under current legislation.
• A government directive prohibiting all travel to, or recommending evacuation from the country or area You were planning to visit or
were staying in, as a result of natural disasters (such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes) or epidemic(s).
• Accidental damage, burglary, flooding or fire affecting Your Home, occurring during the Trip or within 48 hours before You depart, when
the loss relating to Your Home is in excess of €2,000 or when Your presence is required by the police in connection with such events.
• Your compulsory quarantine.
• If, following the commencement of Your Trip, You are unable to continue Your Trip, as detailed in Your travel itinerary, due to the loss or
theft of Your passport, or that of any person You are travelling with.

Also:

What is not covered in this section
a) Any disinclination to travel or continue travelling, unless Your change of travel plans is caused by one of the circumstances listed under
‘What is Covered’.
b) The cost of pre booked excursions, activity entrance fees and tickets or theme park tickets.
24
c) Any costs relating to unused travel and accommodation for any persons not insured under this policy.
d) Cancellation because of pregnancy or childbirth, unless the cancellation is certified by a Medical Practitioner as necessary due to
Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth.
e) Claims arising from actual or planned Strike or Industrial Action which was common knowledge at the time You either booked the Trip
or purchased this policy.
f) Any costs in respect of any unused pre-paid travel costs when We have paid to repatriate You.
g) Withdrawal from service of the aircraft, sea vessel, coach or train on which You are booked to travel, by order or recommendation of
the regulatory authority in any country. You should direct any claim in this case to the transport operator involved.
h) The cost of any fare paid to a scheduled airline in the event of the failure of that airline.
i) Change of plans due to Your financial circumstances except if You are made redundant and qualify for redundancy payment under
current legislation.
j) Any claim arising as a result of attendance of an Insured Person, or any other person on whom the holiday plans depend, in a court
of law. This exclusion will not apply if You are called up for jury service or are subpoenaed as a witness (other than in any professional or
advisory capacity).
k) Any Cancellation, Curtailment or Trip Interruption caused by work commitment or amendment of Your holiday entitlement by Your
employer.
l) Prohibitive regulations by the government of any country, or delay or amendment of the Trip due to government action.
m) Additional costs for which You become responsible as a result of not cancelling a Trip immediately when there is reason for a Trip to be
cancelled.
n) Any claim arising from a volcanic eruption (including volcanic ash being carried by the wind).
o) The Policy Excess as shown on the Summary of Cover table per Insured Person, for each and every claim. If You are claiming only for
loss of deposit then the excess is reduced to €15 per Insured Person per claim.
p) Any costs relating to airport taxes, air passenger duty and other surcharges levied by the airline. You may be able to obtain a refund
from Your Carrier for such charges.
q) A Trip solely within the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland unless a minimum of 2 nights paid accommodation have been prebooked
prior to departure.
r) Any cancellation or administration charges incurred in obtaining any supporting documentation.
s) The cost of this Policy.
t) Anything mentioned in the “General Exclusions”.

TL DR:
VHI travel insurance (as an example) doesn't cover work commitments.

blairbear

OP, I mean this in the kindest possible way, but looking at your post history (idle curiosity), you have posted a lot about financial issues and deals/contracts falling through in the recent past.

While these may be through no fault at all of your own, do you think maybe yourself and your husband need to be slightly more savvy when it comes to money?

I know you can't shut the stable door after the horse has bolted, but for example, a lot of people would only book a hotel that there was free cancellation on etc, which may be the biggest expense for a holiday. Not much use to you now, obviously. Regardless of the deal that you booked, if you call the hotel directly, more often than not, they should allow the cancellation. I don't know how that will affect the rest of the expense/package deal.

memomtoo

blairbear wrote: »

OP, I mean this in the kindest possible way, but looking at your post history (idle curiosity), you have posted a lot about financial issues and deals/contracts falling through in the recent past.

While these may be through no fault at all of your own, do you think maybe yourself and your husband need to be slightly more savvy when it comes to money?

I know you can't shut the stable door after the horse has bolted, but for example, a lot of people would only book a hotel that there was free cancellation on etc, which may be the biggest expense for a holiday. Not much use to you now, obviously. Regardless of the deal that you booked, if you call the hotel directly, more often than not, they should allow the cancellation. I don't know how that will affect the rest of the expense/package deal.

This is indeed a second big issue, I know no one to blame here as it is planned for an important occasion that he wanted to surprise our family.
Before was another problem about something that is nearly sorting out but this is not related to that. Because there was a problem, I'm here as I always find best solution here honestly:)
Yes it is true , should not plan this big as a surprise, not for everyone it happens as in this case that the same time overlapped with work start

memomtoo

this situation is so big that we had to muddle between both and obviously job is more essential as it is not so easy to get it
he did get it as a lesson for life now not to surprise me this way next time but same time heartbreaking to start working with out of pocket:(

adraigh

What's your job / line of work like?
Could you, with a moderate amount of effort (I'm not belittling the effort of jobsearching and interviews whatsoever, it ain't easy!) - but could you get another similar position within say, 3 months?

If that's the case, I'd genuinely advise you to take the holiday... It sounds wonderful and would be awful to lose all that money and memories. That's my honest opinion.

qwerty13

Sounds like your booking might be one where you get a very good rate if you go for a ‘no cancellation’ option. Maybe worth checking if that is the basis that the booking was on. If it was on that basis, then you’ve no comeback.

I’m afraid it does sound like a decision re take the job v take the holiday

woodchuck

Don't ask your future employer to cover the costs. That's a ridiculous suggestion! It's unfortunate that they can't accommodate you, but you committed to a start date and training, so they're not at fault.

I would be highly surprised if your travel insurance will cover you for this. No harm checking though.

I think it's ultimately going to come down to the job vs the holiday. You can always go on another holiday, but will you get this job opportunity again?

Also I think there is a lesson to be learned here for your OH. I know it was a lovely surprise, but even if you were in current job, you would've had to confirm the time off there. And what if they had a problem with the timing!

harr

Travel insurance won’t cover this unfortunately as she wasn’t employed when booking the trip and hasn’t even started the job so technically still isn’t working.

kylith

I wouldn't throw over a job opportunity for a holiday, unless I was guaranteed that I'd get another job easily.

Could you husband go with a friend and just change the name on your ticket?

LegacyUser

kylith wrote: »

I wouldn't throw over a job opportunity for a holiday, unless I was guaranteed that I'd get another job easily.

Could you husband go with a friend and just change the name on your ticket?

+ 1 this was my first thought. I know it's not what you or he wanted and he may not want to go without you or feel awfully guilty to go without but it's better than just losing the money. I'd first see about moving dates if possible but if it was booked via a discount agency it's likely to cost as much as re-booking if they'll even let you do it. Even if you've travel insurance I don't think you'd be able to claim the cost of the holiday back due to starting the new job. I've started several contracts with holidays already booked and all have been accommodating to that but I knew I was going and was very direct to them from the start. I understand it was surprise etc but it's just really bad timing all round. I'd say pick between the two but honestly how much would you enjoy the holiday knowing you've to come home and start job searching all over again?

woodchuck

Are you currently unemployed OP? If so, another point to consider is that the money you'll be losing on the holiday, you'll be gaining with the new job. So don't think of it as being down money by sacrificing the holiday over the job when actually it's the other way around!

You could also see if the travel company you booked through would be willing to change the dates (there might be a fee though).

Hitman3000

adraigh wrote:

What's your job / line of work like? Could you, with a moderate amount of effort (I'm not belittling the effort of jobsearching and interviews whatsoever, it ain't easy!) - but could you get another similar position within say, 3 months?

adraigh wrote:

If that's the case, I'd genuinely advise you to take the holiday... It sounds wonderful and would be awful to lose all that money and memories. That's my honest opinion.

This is some of the most bizarre advice I have ever read on this site.

Lackey

memomtoo wrote: »

This is indeed a second big issue, I know no one to blame here as it is planned for an important occasion that he wanted to surprise our family.

For your family?
Not just you and husband but family kids?

If this is the case I would be telling them to go without me.

adraigh

Hitman3000 wrote: »

This is some of the most bizarre advice I have ever read on this site.

What's so bizzare about it?
What's not to say the OP will come back from the holiday, refreshed and happy, and find another job shortly after, that may even be better than the one she has already been offered?
It's possible - the OP knows her line of work better than we do, and can make a call on this herself.

(Btw I am speaking from personal experience here - I had a v similar situation several years back, and tbh, I ultimately regretted not taking the holiday).