NonRefundable Gatwick Hotel

[Tone Arranger]

Hi,
Like many others, I booked rooms at Gatwick Airport, Hampton by Hilton, ahead of our flight to Orlando in September.
I booked one room with Holiday Extras and 2 rooms with Hotels.com.
I chose non-refundable, what could go wrong ?

We have now decided to abandon this trip and try again for Sept 2021, but of course these are non-refundable rooms. I guess that's end of story, nothing to be done ?

But it seems to me that there's no point cancelling in advance, if I cannot get any refund, as maybe the hotel would still be closed at that time and would have to refund then ? Not wishing bad for anyone who may still be hoping to get away then.

Or are the rooms 'marketable', if say other Dibbers manage to get a trip at that time, could we give the rooms to others and share the cost ? Is that "allowed" or feasible ?

Alternative is to let it run down, it won't cost any more, and if nothing else have a night out at Gatwick. Too sad ?

Any ideas ? 2021 alternative already looks much more expensive re tickets etc, so any £ I can save from 2020 would be welcome.

[Adultdisneyfan]

It’s too early to get any kind of refund due for a COVID related cancellation. Most hotels are offering date changes but Sept 21 rooms won’t be available till Sept (or Oct) this year.

You need to talk to the agent (holiday extras) about your options.

But yes, don’t cancel yet - they may cancel you and refund - who knows. With all the idiots heading the coast last weekend a second wave of lockdown is looking possible.

I know it doesn’t help you but this is one reason to book direct with the hotel. They’d have probably matched holiday extras price and you’ll find all of the big chains - Hilton included - are being very flexible even with non-refundable rates.

As you booked with an agent you are reliant on their policies.

Good luck

[NewtoOrlando]

We booked a night at the Hilton Gatwick South, through Hotels.com paying £62 and using some clubcard points. Like you, non refundable. Just going to have to suck it up I think!

[sha9]

We have a booking at the Glasgow Airport Holiday Inn that’s also non-refundable. We decided if we can’t cancel or move it we’ll just go and stay! We’re less than an hour away anyway. I’d rather do that than they get my money for nothing! I’m hoping though that there will be a bit of goodwill and they’ll at least allow us to move to next year.