Non-refundable: unforeseen drawback

[SetAnOpenCourse]

For an oceanview GTY, I booked a non-refundable fare to save $150 pp, compared to the fare I had on my original booking. A few weeks after final payment date, the fare dropped another $200 pp. I called my PCC to see if HAL might offer anything (I’ve read of people getting some OBC or a cabin upgrade, in similar situations). They can’t offer anything, because I had a non-refundable fare. This confuses me, because after the final payment date, nobody has a refundable fare.

 

I don’t feel entitled to any OBC or upgrade. I just don’t understand the logic of denying it due to my fare type, at this point. In the future I may avoid this type of fare, even if it’s very close to the final payment date.

[kenevenpar]

I've said before, maybe they (HAL) should offer a fare type that can be adjusted after final payment. Both upward as well as down. I don't think many would take it, but for those that think reduced fares should be honored, they can take a shot.

 

 

I know the OP isn't asking for a refund, or looking for some type of acknowledgement by OBC or upgrade, rather being limited by fare type.

[Loreto]

This happened to me when I booked on a flash sale. It was no refundable and I paid the full amount for the 14 day Alaska cruise. The final payment was in effect. A few days later the price dropped. I was not pleased. I contacted the TA and HAL offered an upgrade (which I didn’t want) or a future cruise credit to be used within a year, which I took.

Karen

[DaveOKC]

For an oceanview GTY, I booked a non-refundable fare to save $150 pp, compared to the fare I had on my original booking. A few weeks after final payment date, the fare dropped another $200 pp. I called my PCC to see if HAL might offer anything (I’ve read of people getting some OBC or a cabin upgrade, in similar situations). They can’t offer anything, because I had a non-refundable fare. This confuses me, because after the final payment date, nobody has a refundable fare.

 

I don’t feel entitled to any OBC or upgrade. I just don’t understand the logic of denying it due to my fare type, at this point. In the future I may avoid this type of fare, even if it’s very close to the final payment date.

 

You signed up to save money and you did, knowing that your fare was now set. So, why should the cruise line now lower the fare for you? You chose your option and now you have to live with it IMO.

 

As to others who are past final payment, their fares are still refundable if they cancel, but they have to pay a penalty (depending on how long until sail date), while yours is COMPLETELY non-refundable.

[cruisemom42]

IMO it's been made pretty clear with the new 'non-refundable' fares that there is no price adjustment. It's part of the deal -- you take a risk if you think it's a good deal but you don't get a do-over if the price is lowered.

 

Sorry, but them's the rules in this new game.

[bennybear]

You signed up to save money and you did, knowing that your fare was now set. So, why should the cruise line now lower the fare for you? You chose your option and now you have to live with it IMO.

 

As to others who are past final payment, their fares are still refundable if they cancel, but they have to pay a penalty (depending on how long until sail date), while yours is COMPLETELY non-refundable.

 

Great explanation, I have read some chose to take the penalty because they would save money overall.

 

I avoid the non refundables unless past final payment.

[Fouremco]

IMO it's been made pretty clear with the new 'non-refundable' fares that there is no price adjustment. It's part of the deal -- you take a risk if you think it's a good deal but you don't get a do-over if the price is lowered.

 

Sorry, but them's the rules in this new game.

 

You signed up to save money and you did, knowing that your fare was now set. So, why should the cruise line now lower the fare for you? You chose your option and now you have to live with it IMO.

 

As to others who are past final payment, their fares are still refundable if they cancel, but they have to pay a penalty (depending on how long until sail date), while yours is COMPLETELY non-refundable.

These posts are bang on and clearly illustrate why it is so important to fully understand the terms and conditions before booking.

[OlsSalt]

For an oceanview GTY, I booked a non-refundable fare to save $150 pp, compared to the fare I had on my original booking. A few weeks after final payment date, the fare dropped another $200 pp. I called my PCC to see if HAL might offer anything (I’ve read of people getting some OBC or a cabin upgrade, in similar situations). They can’t offer anything, because I had a non-refundable fare. This confuses me, because after the final payment date, nobody has a refundable fare.

 

I don’t feel entitled to any OBC or upgrade. I just don’t understand the logic of denying it due to my fare type, at this point. In the future I may avoid this type of fare, even if it’s very close to the final payment date.

 

There are some less desirable cabins, which is always my concern if one does not grab what works best upfront regardless of price drops later. Pricing travel seems to be a real bazaar experience, whether is it ship pr air travel. And just like casinos the house always win. After getting a cabin over the Ocean Bar on our last "guaranty", we swore never again. Now we pick and choose carefully up front and grab what we want on the terms available at that time.

[mcrcruiser]

IMO it's been made pretty clear with the new 'non-refundable' fares that there is no price adjustment. It's part of the deal -- you take a risk if you think it's a good deal but you don't get a do-over if the price is lowered.

 

Sorry, but them's the rules in this new game.

 

The cruise lines devised the non refundable deposit to assure them of sold cabins . In the past any people opted to book several cabin types & then cancel before the final payment date .Thus ,the non refundable deposit was instituted to change the multiple booking process & those who wanted to save on the booking price accepted the non refundable deposit .

 

We have 2 cruises booked with HAL & one with Princess & all are booked as non refundable deposit s ;because the prices were do much lower in all cases:p . Yes ,all 3 are also insured :)

[OlsSalt]

The cruise lines devised the non refundable deposit to assure them of sold cabins . In the past any people opted to book several cabin types & then cancel before the final payment date .Thus ,the non refundable deposit was instituted to change the multiple booking process & those who wanted to save on the booking price accepted the non refundable deposit .

 

We have 2 cruises booked with HAL & one with Princess & all are booked as non refundable deposit s ;because the prices were do much lower in all cases:p . Yes ,all 3 are also insured :)

 

It is also a way for HAL management in Seattle to goose their corporate quarterly reports - more cash on hand.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I prefer to book with refundable deposits even though I do buy insurance. That is just me.

[iancal]

I am at a complete loss to understand why anyone would want a fare reduction or concession as a result of a general fare decrease after buying a non refundable fare.

 

There is a reason why non refundable fares are less expensive. You take your chances and you pay your money. No difference from the airlines. If you have booked a non refundable economy airline seat and the fares are reduces such that the price you paid can not buy a premium economy seat would you expect the airline to do something for you?

 

We often buy cruises inside the final payment window. We understand the terms. We buy when there is a good price reduction and are happy with the fare. Sometimes the fare drops even further subsequent to our purchase. We certainly do not expect a fare adjustment or upgrade based on that. We clearly understand that this is a final, non refundable price.

 

This is a very simply issue. We have a choice of regular fare with re-pricing options always available. OR a lower price, no refund fare. Pick one. But it is unreasonable, IMHO, for anyone to expect the cruise line to give you the best of both in order that you can hedge your bets. HAL is a for profit business. HAL has already sold a cabin to you. By subsequently lowering the price they are hoping to sell an empty cabin to someone else. They are not lowering the price so that everyone who paid less for a non refundable fare can get re-priced or upgraded.

 

IF you want flexibility then do not buy a non refundable fare. Pay a little more and go with the regular option.

Edited September 7, 2018 by iancal

[SetAnOpenCourse]

Thanks for the replies. So far, the one possible explanation suggested here is that the “compensation” (for lack of a better word) goes to people who have, after final payment, a right to a partial refund. I was under the impression (mistakenly, perhaps) that some people got OBC or upgrade at a point when $0 refund was possible (i.e. from a practical standpoint, the same status as someone who’s fare was always non-refundable).

 

Again, I’m not expecting anything. I merely thought that people had received such gestures from HAL on occasion, in situations where the terms of their fare entitled them to nothing.

[DaveOKC]

Thanks for the replies. So far, the one possible explanation suggested here is that the “compensation” (for lack of a better word) goes to people who have, after final payment, a right to a partial refund. I was under the impression (mistakenly, perhaps) that some people got OBC or upgrade at a point when $0 refund was possible (i.e. from a practical standpoint, the same status as someone who’s fare was always non-refundable).

 

Again, I’m not expecting anything. I merely thought that people had received such gestures from HAL on occasion, in situations where the terms of their fare entitled them to nothing.

 

One has to be a bit cautious when reading messages on any forum about what other people paid, did, and got. Often we are not told the whole story. And, often you end up comparing different situations.

[SilvertoGold]

Thanks for the replies. So far, the one possible explanation suggested here is that the “compensation” (for lack of a better word) goes to people who have, after final payment, a right to a partial refund. I was under the impression (mistakenly, perhaps) that some people got OBC or upgrade at a point when $0 refund was possible (i.e. from a practical standpoint, the same status as someone who’s fare was always non-refundable).

 

Again, I’m not expecting anything. I merely thought that people had received such gestures from HAL on occasion, in situations where the terms of their fare entitled them to nothing.

 

Used to be, when pricing decreased after final payment, HAL could be quite generous with upgrades (when no one at all is owed anything). We've had upgraded categories in this situation many times, but never the OBC some receive. Possibly it depended on the price you paid: the higher, the more chance of the upgrade after final.

 

However, now HAL appears to have cut back on doing this. The mantra is often, "HAL will do nothing for you". This is what a couple of travel agents (different companies) have said, verbatim.

 

Maddening, of course, when the pricing goes down, anytime after final or when you have a non-refundable fare.

[iancal]

Be reasonable. IF HAL repriced all fares to the final payment deals they would not be in business for very long.

 

HAL's business purpose in reducing fares during the final payment window is to sell vacant cabins to NEW customers. Not to give discounts to those who have already made the buy decision.

 

It would be wonderful to sign up for a crusie and be guaranteed the lowest price point prior to sailing. But it is unrealistic to expect it. I want the cruise lines to make a profit. Otherwise they will fold, as HAL came very close to doing in the past.

[SetAnOpenCourse]

:confused: Oh well, I guess one can’t expect to be understood by every person who reads their post.

[Loreto]

When I took the flash sale I was happy with the price and felt this was HAL’s best final offer for a last minute cruise(that we had taken 3 times before). I asked TA because it doesn’t hurt to ask, and was surprised that HAL came back with an offer. If nothing was offered, I was fine with that, too. I know HAL is a business, not a charity:).

 

Karen

[epixx]

When I took the flash sale I was happy with the price and felt this was HAL’s best final offer for a last minute cruise(that we had taken 3 times before). I asked TA because it doesn’t hurt to ask, and was surprised that HAL came back with an offer. If nothing was offered, I was fine with that, too. I know HAL is a business, not a charity:).

 

Karen

 

How long after final payment did you purchase the flash sale cruise? Was it within a few days, or significantly later?

[cruisemom42]

:confused: Oh well, I guess one can’t expect to be understood by every person who reads their post.

 

I think I understand what you were asking, but I believe one reason HAL introduced these fares (in addition to cutting down on 'placeholder' bookings) is to firmly hold the line on price adjustments later.

 

I feel pretty secure in saying that. When I was considering one of these nonrefundable/ nonrefareable deals, my agent very clearly made sure that I understood HAL would allow NO refare or credit if there were price drops, even after final payment.

[SilvertoGold]

I think I understand what you were asking, but I believe one reason HAL introduced these fares (in addition to cutting down on 'placeholder' bookings) is to firmly hold the line on price adjustments later.

 

I feel pretty secure in saying that. When I was considering one of these nonrefundable/ nonrefareable deals, my agent very clearly made sure that I understood HAL would allow NO refare or credit if there were price drops, even after final payment.

 

 

You mean "especially" after final payment?

 

To my knowledge, HAL has never had a policy that said you do get to refare or get a credit AFTER final payment. Only before final payment.

[cruisemom42]

You mean "especially" after final payment?

 

To my knowledge, HAL has never had a policy that said you do get to refare or get a credit AFTER final payment. Only before final payment.

 

Yes, but I believe there was an unofficial "we will do something if we can" attitude previously. My parents on various occasions had a TA who was able to get some extra OBC or an upgrade, for example. I think this is HAL's attempt to stand firm and not offer such considerations with these fares, at least.

[howiefrommd]

Don’t feel bad. I had a $ 1,700 deposit on a Hawaii cruise. I was not informed (by travel agent) that it was a non-refundable fare. Due to a personal issue, I needed to change the date of the cruise. Holland America has informed the travel agent that if I change the date I would loose the deposit. I wrote an email to Holland America and they answered that “due to contractural obligations” they can only communicate with my travel agent. I went round and round with the travel agent. Bottom line, Holland America has now officially been Carnivalized.

[Andi Land]

The frustrating part for customers is the different answers you get from Seattle reps. I called today to get pricing on my next cruise without the Explore 4promo. I was told the new pricing and that it was a “restricted”fare. I asked for explanation and it is the non refundable deposit fare. I said “oh, so that means I can’t make any changes to this reservation if I take that pricing.” The Seattle rep said, “we offer deals to lots of people with this type of fare if pricing changes. You’d just have to call us.”

 

So, if I called because I was told I should, would they honor what the rep said or would they honor the non refundable terms? Hard to say since every time you call you get a different answer.

 

I kept my refundable fare. I can re-price it once the E4 expires.

[HUNKY]

When using a travel agent, all communication and transactions occur between the agent and the consumer. HAL is not involved!

 

When the "terms and conditions" or paperwork state nonrefundable, that means that in ALL circumstances, the deposit or payments can not be returned. Regardless of death, unemployment, or not consulting a calendar.