Recourse on non-refundable lodging

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A month ago we booked a condo at a ski resort in Colorado for next week through AirBnB. It was a pretty big expense for our family. I have been in contact with the condo management company, asking if they could extend us credit to use next season. I am not asking for our money back. They are adamant that they cannot do that. Given the current health crisis, I feel that they are not being fair. Do I have any recourse, through my credit card perhaps? We have young children, elderly relatives and pets here who rely on us, so we don't want to get stranded away from our home in this difficult time.

A month ago, COVID-19 was a known entity! You were incredibly foolish to book a $6K travel expense for what is a luxury vacation that you can't afford to lose--and to do so on a non-refundable, non-changeable basis, and not get insurance. End of story. You did something dumb and now you are paying the price.

I am sorry for you for losing the money! I've made mistakes like that. But that is no excuse to try to force the loss or solution onto the condo owners. This is on you, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

MayaJ wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

MayaJ wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sound like an entitled brat. You are spending $6K on a condo for a ski vacation (that you booked non-refundable) and you want special treatment because now you don't want to go?

Also, you don't seem to realize that Colorado is not Italy, Austria, etc. Have you seen what's going on in Italy? People are dying of COVID-19 and the family have to keep the dead bodies in the house because there's a lockdown.

Get some perspective, please.

What makes you think we won't be there in one week? Because it is possible we will be. And I'd rather be home than stranded in another state when it happens.

And if we get there, policies will likely change. But until then, it's not reasonable to expect service providers to eat everything. By all means, OP can stay home. That's not a bad idea. What we're talking about is who should bear the loss here. I don't see why the condo owner should be the one to have to bend when OP booked something non-refundable.

Because by the time we get there, it might be too late to come back, and that is not a risk one should be expected to bear, especially with young children. These are unprecedented times, and people should be able to reach compromises.

No one is trying to force OP to go. And yes, actually, "one should be expected to bear" certain things, like eating the cost of something that you book non-refundable. The owner of the condo has a mortgage, probably. Why on earth would we expect the condo owner to bend to OP's wishes? This is an unprecedented time. That doesn't change common sense or mean everyone is off the hook for their choices.

OP is apparently considering disputing the charge on the credit card. If the owner of the condo doesn't get their $, what if they can't pay their own expenses, like a mortgage? You think the bank is going to say, hey, no probs, this is unprecedented?

They were going to be empty if we hadn't booked and offered incentives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

MayaJ wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

MayaJ wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sound like an entitled brat. You are spending $6K on a condo for a ski vacation (that you booked non-refundable) and you want special treatment because now you don't want to go?

Also, you don't seem to realize that Colorado is not Italy, Austria, etc. Have you seen what's going on in Italy? People are dying of COVID-19 and the family have to keep the dead bodies in the house because there's a lockdown.

Get some perspective, please.

What makes you think we won't be there in one week? Because it is possible we will be. And I'd rather be home than stranded in another state when it happens.

And if we get there, policies will likely change. But until then, it's not reasonable to expect service providers to eat everything. By all means, OP can stay home. That's not a bad idea. What we're talking about is who should bear the loss here. I don't see why the condo owner should be the one to have to bend when OP booked something non-refundable.

Because by the time we get there, it might be too late to come back, and that is not a risk one should be expected to bear, especially with young children. These are unprecedented times, and people should be able to reach compromises.

No one is trying to force OP to go. And yes, actually, "one should be expected to bear" certain things, like eating the cost of something that you book non-refundable. The owner of the condo has a mortgage, probably. Why on earth would we expect the condo owner to bend to OP's wishes? This is an unprecedented time. That doesn't change common sense or mean everyone is off the hook for their choices.

OP is apparently considering disputing the charge on the credit card. If the owner of the condo doesn't get their $, what if they can't pay their own expenses, like a mortgage? You think the bank is going to say, hey, no probs, this is unprecedented?

They were going to be empty if we hadn't booked and offered incentives.

Yeah, but you did book. And that's a contract. End of story.

[Anonymous]

Tell them you are still coming because you've been exposed and need a place outside of your town home to quarantine. Ask if it's available the week after in case you are all unable to travel home with active infections.

[Anonymous]

OP try fighting with your cc company.

I did that once after our trip was ruined by a hurricane. They said no refunds but my cc company sided with me since the services purchased were not delivered.

Haven’t booked an Airbnb since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“It's not clear that travel insurance would cover a situation such as this. Read the fine print. Don't be so smug.”

Actually it is pretty clear. You get the opportunity to read the entire policy in full before you even purchase. And the policies are extremely crystal clear about EXACTLY what they will and will not cover, even down to specifics including exact places, events, dates, companies, airlines, tour companies, illnesses etc. I’ve been buying these policies for years, so I know what I’m talking about.

Like I said, you should’ve read the fine print and you didn’t, and now you’re complaining. I’m not trying to be smug but you do need to place the blame on yourself, where it belongs, and not the insurer.

Huh? I wrote that, and I'm not the OP. But I think you've made my point. The pp was acting all smug because they buy travel insurance, but most travel insurance policies would not cover this situation. Unless you bought very expensive "cancel for any reason" insurance, and which is impossible to get at this point. What provision of the insurance policy would you invoke? There is not an "I'm scared to travel" provision. OP is not ill. The airlines are flying and the government has not stopped domestic travel. In fact, truth be told, the federal and the state governments probably don't even have authority to enforce quarantine/no travel orders. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/travelers-are-learning-hard-way-their-insurance-doesn-t-cover-n1155771.

As pointed out in the article, most travel insurance is actually pretty worthless. The only time I buy it is when I'm traveling overseas and I'm concerned about getting ill and needing expensive "air ambulance" transportation back home (which is the only situation I've ever heard of where someone was glad they bought trip insurance). I've saved enough $$ in premiums to pay for several cancelled trips. So, I guess you could say that I self-insure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

MayaJ wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

MayaJ wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sound like an entitled brat. You are spending $6K on a condo for a ski vacation (that you booked non-refundable) and you want special treatment because now you don't want to go?

Also, you don't seem to realize that Colorado is not Italy, Austria, etc. Have you seen what's going on in Italy? People are dying of COVID-19 and the family have to keep the dead bodies in the house because there's a lockdown.

Get some perspective, please.

What makes you think we won't be there in one week? Because it is possible we will be. And I'd rather be home than stranded in another state when it happens.

And if we get there, policies will likely change. But until then, it's not reasonable to expect service providers to eat everything. By all means, OP can stay home. That's not a bad idea. What we're talking about is who should bear the loss here. I don't see why the condo owner should be the one to have to bend when OP booked something non-refundable.

Because by the time we get there, it might be too late to come back, and that is not a risk one should be expected to bear, especially with young children. These are unprecedented times, and people should be able to reach compromises.

A compromise by giving you your way? Lol.

You are not “expected to bear” anything. You can choose to stay home. Your booking is non-refundable. Them’s the breaks.

The above poster was not me, but I assume in the same boat as me. I am OP. My way would be to get my money back, the way every hotel and other business has reimbursed people. I am offering them to extend me credit instead to use for future travel. Not exactly much of a loss for a property that is empty in March the way this one was.

You don't seem to understand contract law. In fact, you'd have a better case to get your $$ back if the condo was fully booked and they could rebook the condo with another party easily. They would be required to mitigate their losses. In this case, it is unlikely that they would be able to mitigate, so, if they are ready to perform their end of the deal, you're on the hook for the full contract amount. As others have noted, you should have called to confirm you were coming and ask if they could ensure that the condo was completely virus-free, because they, of course, would be liable if it is not. Its likely a total bluff, but they might decide you're too much of a PITA to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP try fighting with your cc company.

I did that once after our trip was ruined by a hurricane. They said no refunds but my cc company sided with me since the services purchased were not delivered.

Haven’t booked an Airbnb since.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have friends with non-refundable stays booked for all over Europe: two separate for Spain, one in Italy, several in Austria, France, Switzerland... Every single owner has been understanding and has refunded, despite the non-refundable policy. We are set to lose $6,000, and the condo has been empty all month except our week, per AirBnB. And I am not asking for my money back! Asking for credit to be used for a future stay.

You’re not asking for your money back but you’re essentially asking the owner to forfeit the week you currently have booked (they’ll never rent it now) and your future intended week, for $6000. They could get both for $12000, and they already have (your) $6000. Times are tough for everyone. While it would be nice if they did it, I can understand they won’t.

—signed someone who will alps lose thousands of dollars

[Anonymous]

“ This is a luxury condo management company with a ton of properties in a central location in a nice ski resort. Trust me, they are used car salesmen-like in their behavior and not struggling for money. Everyone around the world is being accommodating in these trying times. They have a ton of empty condos, and in fact this one was offered at a discount for the entire month because it was empty. That is why we booked it in the first place.”

You booked this LUXURY condo one month ago, when you knew this coronavirus was already here in America and blowing up in pockets around the world. Why would you do that? Just bc you got it at a discount? Well it sounds like you’re getting exactly what you paid for. So stop playing the whiny entitled victim and either take the vacation you knowingly booked after the outbreak, or shut up and move on with your entitled life.

If I were the condo owner I probably wouldn’t give you back your money either. The condo is still available. There are no travel restrictions. You knew their cancellation policy when you reserved and paid for it last month AFTER the outbreak started. So go take your discounted vacation OP. LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP try fighting with your cc company.

I did that once after our trip was ruined by a hurricane. They said no refunds but my cc company sided with me since the services purchased were not delivered.

Haven’t booked an Airbnb since.

Thank you.

Except in OP’s case the services are still available. OP just doesn’t want them anymore. I bet she posted on the travel thread a week ago she was *definitely* still going.

[Anonymous]

I would approach them again and ask if they would either meet you in the middle or give you credit for the off-season at a time when it is not as busy (perhaps offer summer if that works for you). Rates tend to be less then so they may see this as fair.

Remember, it is in their right to take your money, so I would make sure your email is as kind and apologetic that you had to change your plans. The situation sucks for everyone and you just don't know their own personal situation either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell them you are still coming because you've been exposed and need a place outside of your town home to quarantine. Ask if it's available the week after in case you are all unable to travel home with active infections.

ahahha!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell them you are still coming because you've been exposed and need a place outside of your town home to quarantine. Ask if it's available the week after in case you are all unable to travel home with active infections.

ahahha!!

What do their care? They aren’t there and I doubt anyone is coming after OP anyway. I’d call that bluff big time!

[Anonymous]

Yes, depends on what credit card you use, you may have travel insurance. We have Chase Sapphire and if we use this card, we automatically get travel insurance. I think it's worth calling your credit card company and see what can be done. It sucks, OP!

If you are really not going to be able to get credit or refund, I say, take the trip!