Recourse on non-refundable lodging

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

You see your side of it.

Here's the other side. When you book, you see the refund policy. You chose to book something that did not have a favorable cancellation policy. They have livelihoods and responsibilities as well.

[Anonymous]

What are you going to do--tell your credit card you changed your mind about something and don't want to pay anymore? Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You see your side of it.

Here's the other side. When you book, you see the refund policy. You chose to book something that did not have a favorable cancellation policy. They have livelihoods and responsibilities as well.

+1

[Anonymous]

Understandable that you don't want to go. But there's a price for that.

[Anonymous]

Can you imagine OP's post if she was going on vacation and with one week's notice, the condo owner backed out of providing the condo?

[Anonymous]

You can try through your credit card but very unlikely.

Their contract specified non refundable. They held the unit for you. The virus has been in the US for 3 months. They have been more than fair.

Why don't you drive out there?

See if they can extend to the summer? Colorado is great in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Many of us have lost money due to travel cancellations. Some people on the other thread lost thousands. It's a massive bummer but such is life.

[Anonymous]

Why are you booking anything non refundable with elderly seniors in the family and young children? It is very risky
even apart from Corona Virus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you booking anything non refundable with elderly seniors in the family and young children? It is very risky
even apart from Corona Virus.

Agreed. You should’ve bought trip insurance. I have a young child, so I buy this for all of our big expensive vacations. Every single one. You should too. I hope you’ve learned from this experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You see your side of it.

Here's the other side. When you book, you see the refund policy. You chose to book something that did not have a favorable cancellation policy. They have livelihoods and responsibilities as well.

This.


It sucks, I know. This whole thing is going to suck for a lot of people, and honestly your loss is a drop in the bucket compared to some.

[Anonymous]

No worries OP. If you can afford an expensive week of skiing for all those people, then I’m sure losing this money won’t hurt your pocketbook. Either go or get over it. None of us feel bad about your whiny privileged entitled perspective about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No worries OP. If you can afford an expensive week of skiing for all those people, then I’m sure losing this money won’t hurt your pocketbook. Either go or get over it. None of us feel bad about your whiny privileged entitled perspective about this.

This. Before this is over many people will lose their jobs, like the ski slope workers and restaurant workers at the ski town and the ladies who clean your luxury air bnb.

[Anonymous]

That's tough. However, Trump put the travel ban on China in January and were talking about this before that. What has changed?

[Anonymous]

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.