Cancelling holidays

[loren1987]

Im in a bit of a pickle.
Me and my partner booked a holiday to gran canaria on the 16th of september for two weeks costing �800
The problem now is that my bf has been called up to join the army on the 7th august. Iv requested to change the dates of the holiday to december when he will get some leave but the holiday company ( onthebeach.com) has basically said its not possible because the original holiday is due for departure within 56 days....
I'm not sure what my next move will be. If i cancel then we will lose everything as we have paid in full.. Is there anysort of loop hole here?
( by the way, we havent taken any insurance out, sods law!)

[bednobs]

Even if you had taken insurance out, i doubt it would have covered this. I don't believe there is any loophole, you will either have to go on your own or cancel

[Buenchico]

As Loren indicates, it's extremely unlikely any insurance policy would have covered this situation.

It's not completely clear which company you've booked with. OnTheBeach.com isn't a travel company, per se. It's a US-based site for advertising holiday accommodation. it doesn't appear to cover the Canary Islands.

On The Beach Holidays ( http://www.otbeach.com/ ) seems to be more likely. Their terms of business clearly state "Cancellations within 3 months of the departure date will result in the loss of all monies paid". So it initially appears that there's nothing that you can do, but those same terms also state this:
"When making your booking we will arrange for you to enter into contracts with the Principals (tour operator/airline/cruise company/flight provider/hotel provider/ hotel) named on your receipt. For No frills and Scheduled flight bookings we act only as your agent in making your booking. For all other bookings we act only as an agent for the Principal"

That information is important because you've not actually booked a holiday with On The Beach Holidays; you've only booked it throughthem. (i.e. they've acted acted as an agent for the separate bookings making up the elements of your holiday). So you don't have a single contract with On The Beach Holidays; you've got separate contracts with the airline and with the hotel. You need to check the cancellation rules of the airline and of the hotel company. They might be more flexible than those of On The Beach Holidays, so you might be able to get something back.

Chris

[blackietwo]

You will prob lose your money, and even on the high st you would at least lose your deposits. Think it would be easier for you to go with someone else, a friend or sister. After all your bf will be away. there would prob be a small charge for the name change.

[rockyracoon]

Why not write to the Head Offices's of the companies involved explaining the problem. Feeling are running quite high in this country at the moment in support of the armed forces, so you never know they may grant it for you as a gesture of good will.

[loren1987]

Thanks for all your help guys.
No response fron the hotel regarding a partial refund and the airline wont give me one either.
However, my collegue wants to buy the holiday from me so she can travel with her friend, but iv just gone onto the otbeach website and it says it is not possible to change all the passengers names and that we will have to cancel and rebook.
Is it me, or is that completely barmy?
Why cant I change both names? I just think they are being difficult.