Stick with me on this one................

I wanted to visit Newcastle so tried to get accomodation. Failing to do so, the hotel I wanted told me that they had vacancies but they were out to an internet hotel agency.

I called up the website and booked online.

The original hotel had a cancellation policy of up to 16.00hrs on day of arrival. I only booked for one night.

I admit I didn't read the small print of the reservation assuming that as the original hotel had advised the agency it would be the same on the cancellation policy.

I now find I have a hospital admission around about that date so I e-mailed to cancel to be informed I must forfeit my money, they have my credit card details, as i didnt give 3 MONTHS notice of cancellation.

I can change my date of reservation but it is difficult as I do not know when I will be fit enough to take up that offer. They need to know fairly urgently as their reservations do go rather quickly.

I also can not 'sell' at a reduced rate to someone else to take the accomodation as it is my signature required to pay for the room, the booking is not tranferable.

I have offered to give them my hospital number and my admission hospital so they can see that it is a genuine reason for cancellation.

I know I should have made myself conversant with the terms and conditions so please do not refer to that. What I would like to know is, can a forumer advise on a possible way of retieving my monies, which are quite considerable.

change your date of reservation to 4 months in advance and then cancel it a week later?

Sorry Robbie, you can only book upto 3 months in advance

Pass it over to your creit card company and let hem fight the battle for you perhaps.

I'm no expert , but your CC should afford you some protection against unfair Ts&Cs I Think.

possibly report your card lost and get a new one and the details will have changed? i dont know if this would work just a suggestion

Options:

1. If your signature is required to pay for the room then no problem. Don't sign.

2. Your room is transferable, if you can find someone who wants the room who you trust not to run up a bar bill. The hotel has your credit card number so whoever takes the room the hotel will charge your card.

3. The 3 months is unreasonable, if you can only book up to 3 months in advance but the cancellation period is 3 months then that is an unreasonable condition in law, viz. you can't ever cancel. :loopy:

4. Take it to the citizens advice bureaux and ask their advice.