Lord Howe Island Closure [reopened 2/10/20]

[Beny]

We have a package booking to Lord Howe Island in May 2020. LHI has closed and we can’t get there due to COVID 19. Our travel agent has advised that our accommodation provider will allow us to rebook at a later date but we will be charged a cancellation fee for our booking that we can’t use of one nights accommodation.
Our other option is to not rebook and lose all our money. Our travel insurance will not cover it even though it was booked last year.
i think it is unfair to charge a cancellation fee when we have not cancelled. Any ideas?

 

[goldenhorn]

We have a package booking to Lord Howe Island in May 2020. LHI has closed and we can’t get there due to COVID 19. Our travel agent has advised that our accommodation provider will allow us to rebook at a later date but we will be charged a cancellation fee for our booking that we can’t use of one nights accommodation.
Our other option is to not rebook and lose all our money. Our travel insurance will not cover it even though it was booked last year.
i think it is unfair to charge a cancellation fee when we have not cancelled. Any ideas?

If you've already been charged, could you process a chargeback? Or, cancel the card if not already been charged?

 

[Beny]

Too late . The final payment was 60 days ago. I don’t think I can get a chargeback now.

 

[kpc]

The accommodation providers at LHI are scam artists....if you don't arrive eg flight cancellations say due to bad weather, they won't refund your accomdation expecting you to claim on travel insurance....and if you can't leave due to flight cancellations, they will charge you the full RACK rate for the room again expecting you to claim on travel insurance ..

 

[drron]

Too late . The final payment was 60 days ago. I don’t think I can get a chargeback now.

You certainly can still do a chargeback.At least with Amex.I got one successfully 6 months after paying LAN when they wouldn't refund a refundable fare.

 

[Beny]

Thanks all for your help. As they are denying us access we are not cancelling therefore I don’t understand how they can charge a cancellation fee. I am looking at consumer laws. I just wonder how many others are in the same boat. I was told some accommodation providers are giving no refund or rebooking. It is disgusting in the circumstances.

 

[VPS]

Robyn - I would change your user name to not use an email address -

 

[Beny]

I would love but I cannot work out how.

 

[get me outta here]

@Moderator, the OP wishes to change the user name.

 

[support]

@Moderator, the OP wishes to change the user name.

You can only tag an actual member name. As there are no moderators with the member name ‘Moderator’ your tag would not have been spotted. Your report was seen.

The member needs to email me at [email protected] with some ideas for what they would like their name changed to.

 

[Beny]

All done thanks.

 

[VPS]

@support are you able to modify their email address in the quoted posts? TIA

 

[support]

@support are you able to modify their email address in the quoted posts? TIA

This has been done now.

 

[Maui]

Beny, we have had our Lord Howe holiday cancelled due to the coronavirus however our accommodation will not refund or rebook and travel insurance says no. Maybe you should tell us where you booked as we wont be using our original accommodation supplier if we do go in the future.

 

[DC3]

Robyn - I would change your user name to not use an email address -

Who is Robyn? Is this from another thread?

 

[VPS]

Who is Robyn? Is this from another thread?

Robyn was their user name and has been changed - not ideal to put your email address out on a public forum

 

[DC3]

Robyn was their user name and has been changed - not ideal to put your email address out on a public forum

Thanks. Maybe just use their home address or phone number instead.

 

[Happy Dude]

Beny, we have had our Lord Howe holiday cancelled due to the coronavirus however our accommodation will not refund or rebook and travel insurance says no. Maybe you should tell us where you booked as we wont be using our original accommodation supplier if we do go in the future.

This is appalling. Be sure to name and shame as far and wide as possible.

After reading this thread, I'm inclined to take Lord Howe off my "to visit" list.

 

[Maui]

We have a package booking to Lord Howe Island in May 2020. LHI has closed and we can’t get there due to COVID 19. Our travel agent has advised that our accommodation provider will allow us to rebook at a later date but we will be charged a cancellation fee for our booking that we can’t use of one nights accommodation.
Our other option is to not rebook and lose all our money. Our travel insurance will not cover it even though it was booked last year.
i think it is unfair to charge a cancellation fee when we have not cancelled. Any ideas?

Were you successful in rebooking?

 

[Beny]

Yes we have to pay one night cancellation fee but it is better than losing the whole booking.