Should a cancelling friend get her cottage money back if someone takes the bed?
Travel“I'm not asking you three to pay for me,” Leah writes. “But if somebody else comes, could I have my share back?”
Four friends have paid £300 each towards a £1,200 walking weekend in North Yorkshire in this example. Two weeks before departure, Leah chooses to attend her new partner's family gathering instead. The cottage booking is staying in place, and the host has not offered a refund.
Leah's colleague would like to take her place and pay £300. The others have never met her. They say they booked a weekend with friends, not an open bed, and want to decide whether they are comfortable inviting someone new. One friend adds that Leah should lose the money regardless because changing her mind inconvenienced everyone.
Leah accepts that she may lose her share if the bed stays empty. She thinks keeping both her £300 and a replacement's £300 would be different. What would be fair if the group and host agree to a substitution? They never discussed cancellations when they booked, and the chat is beginning to sound like a punishment hearing.
