Is this an unfair and potentially illegal contract clause in the travelodge t&cs?

Question

hi folks
we've been booking some rooms with travelodge in edinburgh for a fri, sat and sun. it turns out the sunday room can be got at a special "saver" rate so we went with this.
once we booked our special offer room the site then told us that we then needed to then go back on booking our normal rate rooms. on doing so it turns out the normal rate rooms are avilible for the friday but the saturday is now fully booked. so we decided it would be worth cancelling and booking else where, this is when we came across this clause in the T&C's on the site:

(B) Saver rate (including "Sale" rates):
Cancellations
If you make a cancellationthen we will not refund you any money you have paid (including for any extras). If you do wish to make a cancellation to your booking we would be grateful if you would inform us using https://www.travelodge.co.uk/manage_your… as soon as possible however we will not refund you any money you have paid (including for any extras).
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/terms/

whilst this is definately unfair i was wondering if this is actually an illegal clause as i was under the impression anything bought over phone, post or internet in the uk was covered under the distance selling rules and had to include a cooling off period. we really do need to cancel and would like to have some infor behind us to back it up when i call later to talk to them "politely"
cheers folks

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

i don't know about the UK, but in the states there are lots of cases where you can't get your money returned. However, I do know that you should call them up and talk to a nice person. If you can get a hold of a nice person, and be sure to be very sweet to them, then remember that they probably know all the inner workings of the system and can cancel it for you if you get lucky. I've had some luck in that, just be very nice, as i'm sure you are, because if you aren't, and it is legal what they are doing, well then they can just tell you to eff off and hang up basically! Good luck!

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

managed to resolve it with persistance and dropping the name of the company i work for in to the converstation and strangely they managed to find space on the nights in question!

Answer 2

Look on the Citizens advice website, or email CA or consumer direct

Answer 3

You should have read the T&C before you made your booking they are withintheir rights to keep your money.

Answer 4

I dint know for definite, but I think the point of the Saver Rates is they're non refundable/amendable, like saver rates on Trains or 'no-frills' seats on airlines.
I think they can do it I'm afraid. Sadly the internet isnt great for things like this and thats when its good to phone and book. I know we can't all do that as it isnt as convenient and it sucks that we can get ripped off like this!
Make a complaint, its your best bet. Speak to someone if you can.