Well here we are, into our tenth week of restrictive living. Our little close joined together again, at the end of our drives for the tenth and final, clap for the NHS. We had more Government  announcements last night, outlining how we are going to ease the country back onto its feet. The Covid daily death toll is, thankfully slowly dropping, and I thank the Government for sending the condolences of the whole Country, during their daily updates, to all those families who have lost loved ones.

It has been an very stressful time, both mentally and financially, for most families across the UK. Although we have been touched by the virus, we have been fortunate not to lose anyone close. Our personal stresses have been more financial.

I understand that all businesses, both large and small, have been affected by the months of lockdown, but it doesn’t excuse the way some have treated their customers in respect of cancelled holidays, experiences and shows.

We had a variety of activities scheduled and have had a variety of experiences attempting to claim our money back.

Belfast

We had a long weekend booked in Belfast for the first weekend in April. Flights, hotel and Titanic Experience all booked and pre paid.

• ▪️Hilton Hotels – telephoned within days of lockdown being announced, advising us they were closing and processing a refund to our credit card ✅✅
• ▪️Titanic Experience – emailed to say that although they were closing, our tickets could be used until the end of the year. However as lockdown progressed and all flights were grounded, they then offered a full refund ✅
• ▪️Gatwick Parking – We were able to cancel our booking online but no advice when we might expect a refund. The weekend we should have been in Belfast we received a message saying, our car reg didnt appear to have entered the parking zone and to report to the office on our return 😳. Another email pinged off to them and we were advised it could take up to 30 days to receive our money. Surprise surprise bang on 30 days and it arrived onto our card ✅
• ▪️EasyJet – Flights were not cancelled until a couple of days before. We were offered a fee free transfer to an alternative flight later in the year (although if that flight was more expensive we
  would have to pay the difference) 😡. We could have a voucher, valid until September 2020 😡, but no refund. The phone lines were either constantly engaged or went unanswered. Online chat was disabled, twitter and Facebook messenger returned generic responses 😡. We emailed siting their terms and conditions, requesting a full refund. It took some time to be answered, and then advised us that we needed to send another email with certain wording to claim our refund 🤬. However we did eventually receive our monies back in full.👎

Ruby Anniversary

We had to change our plans entirely for the week of our anniversary. Although we had to celebrate virtually and social distanced we had a lovely day.

The venue we had only just booked for a celebration on the actual day, did not contact us, either by phone or email. Although all venues had to close and no money had actually changed hands, it would have been courteous to contact.

Amalfi Coast

A long awaited trip in May, had flights and hotel booked and paid for.

• ▪️Hotel – We had booked rooms at a family run hotel in Sorrento. Knowing that Italy we’re already in lockdown, I contacted them enquiring, if we needed to cancel would we be able to obtain a refund. Within days they responded that I could. ✅. We had to wait until seven days before our trip for the flight to be cancelled. I contacted the hotel again requesting a refund. I was advised it was not a problem, but asked if we would consider a credit note. 😬. As we were travelling with the besties, if had to be a joint decision. We had a long conversation about how worth while credit notes are, whether we would attempt to travel later this year, whether we were prepared to lose the money, and whether we still wanted to visit.  The outcome was, we do still want to visit, we wouldn’t do it till next year and we have already paid the money, so why not give them a chance. Rather than accept a credit note, we are now booked in for the same ten days next year at this years prices and are just waiting for flight availability to rebook flights. 👍✅✅
• ▪️EasyJet – Although we were still in lockdown, we had to wait until seven days prior to our flight, for it to be cancelled. Before that we were only being offered a voucher or a fee free transfer to an alternative flight! Once cancelled, however they had got their act together a little and there was a refund claim form online. As flights for the dates we now require are not yet available, we have asked for a full refund. This time we are expected to wait at least 28 days and EasyJet are still holding our money 🤬

Theatre trips

• ▪️Local Hastings Theatre – Myself, eldest daughter & bestie, were booked to see a ballet on 26th May. Initially I was advised it would be going ahead 🤔. When that was obviously not possible, they sent an email with a voucher attached, stating I could use it against any performance in the next 12 months or I could donate it to the theatre. Bit cheeky! After an email declining their offer, and a fortnights delay, I did get my refund. ✅
• ▪️Local Bexhill Theatre – I had booked tickets for the twins birthday in August to see Shrek the Musical. I discovered via Facebook that, due to the fact the cast were unable to rehearse, the show had been postponed to December 2021! Had it been 2020 I might have  accepted transferring the tickets, but who knows where they’ll be for Christmas next year. They were very gracious and gave me a refund within 10 days of my request. Now to find an alternative gift! ✅✅
• ▪️Arts theatre London – Planning to visit London, with the besties, in June to tour the Oval cricket ground, take a cocktail or two at the Sky Garden and see Six the Musical.  The Oval tour has been postponed, not sure till when at the moment. ✅ the Sky Garden is closed until at least 4th July. The theatre unfortunately is less clear about reopening so they offered either a refund or we could donate the cost of the tickets to the theatre. With the cost of London Theatre tickets being what they are, I donated the booking fee. Not a lot but every little helps, and the refund appeared on my credit card the same day ✅👍

Portugal 🇵🇹

We have a family holiday booked for 16th July.  Fortunately the little ones school was due to break up a week before other local schools & the eldest Grandson should have finished his GCSE’s, so we booked a villa for a week and flights with, you’ve guessed it, EasyJet 😩

• ▪️The Government are introducing a 14 day quarantine on all arrivals from 8th June. Not really conducive to those who have to return to work. 👎
• ▪️EasyJet – only cancel flights 7 days before you’re due to fly so it’s a waiting game with them. 😡
• ▪️Passport office – All four boys passports expired in either May or June. Our daughter applied online for renewals and uploaded photos in April.The office are running on reduced staff, but to date none have been completed 😬 An email this week advised one photo wasn’t acceptable and had to be resent, even though they were all deemed acceptable when uploaded. We are now a little more hopeful that they are finally being worked on and we will receive them all in time 🤞(Assuming we go anywhere!).
• ▪️Villa Plus – the holiday firm update their Facebook page on a weekly basis. As we’ve booked villa only, one week they promise to refund villa only bookings, ( and we paid our balance on the back of this message) the next week they say we’re not entitled to any money back as we’re not protected by ATOL!! As Portugal has opened its hotels, bars and restaurants they are effectively open for business, and we fear we will not receive a refund. If we can’t travel this one might be the biggest fight of all.

However we always pay for everything by credit card, so we may be able to look to them to assist us with a refund. ( That was one of the sales pitches the Bank, my ex employer, always advised us to use 😂 ). In normal circumstances it would be the case, but these are not normal circumstances. So fingers crossed 🤞

We all, also have annual travel insurance taken out prior to the pandemic being declared. Our insurance company has advised us that they are the last port of call 👎, but if Government advice remains,  to avoid all non essential travel, then they will cover our costs if no one else will 😳.

Although this has been a stressful few weeks, and there have been unanswered emails and delays, so far all our outcomes have been successful.

More importantly, we have all come through the pandemic safely, and can look forward to the future. It may take some time, but, for us, there will be more holidays, theatre trips and new adventures with family and friends as we slowly emerge into our new lives.