Changing Renter Name Twice and Redweek "Rerent"?

[sdtugger]

I rented one of my weeks to a renter more than 2 months ago for next Christmas. I used the redweek strict cancellation policy which says no cancellations for any reason. I changed the name to the renter using the new form and all was well and the week no longer shows up in my account.

This morning I received a request from the renter to cancel the rental and asking for a full refund because of a divorce. I know that I can simply respond that the contract says no cancellations. And, frankly, this is precisely the kind of thing I wanted to avoid by picking strict cancellation and I priced the week lower in exchange for no cancellations. But, I am not without compassion and I am wondering what trouble the renter could stir up for me if I say no. For example, could they complain about the room, the noise, make a claim of some kind, etc.?

With that in mind, I was considering offering to cancel with some penalty in exchange for my time, costs of rerenting, and having the current renter pay any difference in the new rental price and the old rental price, etc. However, I am not certain if Marriott would allow me to change the guest name now that the week is no longer in my account? Second, I don't have the money, Redweek keeps the money until 2 days after the guest arrives. So, what would Redweek be willing to do in these circumstances? I am not actually sure what the week would rent for now.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[dioxide45]

How did they pay. Was it Redweek Full Service or did you do DIY? Is there a chance of a chargeback? If it was Full Service, I would think the contract Redweek uses should hold up to chargeback scrutiny. I wouldn't necessarily trust Redweek to do the right thing though.

I would think the week is still in your MarriottVacationClub.com account and thus you still control it. You can add or remove guest names.

You can certainly try and rerent the week and tell the current renter that you would withhold any loss in rental fees along with a fee for your trouble.

 

[sdtugger]

I did Redweek verified and protected, but not full service. I think the redweek contract is probably the same, at least in the cancellation provisions. It is very clear that there is no cancellation and that Redweek now holds the money and keeps it until 2 days after guest check in. So, I don't think there is any chance of a charge back in the sense that Redweek will have the money for 6 months prior to the week.

You are right that I now see that the week remains in my marriottvacationclub.com account. It just disappeared from my Marriott.com account. So, I could theoretically just change the name again by filling out the form again?

I am thinking of offering to try and rerent the week. I will need to find out what redweek will do in this instance because they actually hold the money. I'm sure that they'd cooperate to an extent. But, would they require some kind of contract, fee, etc.? They would actually be out some of their fee if the week rented for less as well, at least theoretically. I'm not sure how they'd handle the change.

 

[jwalk03]

I did Redweek verified and protected, but not full service. I think the redweek contract is probably the same, at least in the cancellation provisions. It is very clear that there is no cancellation and that Redweek now holds the money and keeps it until 2 days after guest check in. So, I don't think there is any chance of a charge back in the sense that Redweek will have the money for 6 months prior to the week.

You are right that I now see that the week remains in my marriottvacationclub.com account. It just disappeared from my Marriott.com account. So, I could theoretically just change the name again by filling out the form again?

I am thinking of offering to try and rerent the week. I will need to find out what redweek will do in this instance because they actually hold the money. I'm sure that they'd cooperate to an extent. But, would they require some kind of contract, fee, etc.? They would actually be out some of their fee if the week rented for less as well, at least theoretically. I'm not sure how they'd handle the change.

Yeah since Redweek has the money you likely need to call them and see what the options are.

 

[dioxide45]

I did Redweek verified and protected, but not full service. I think the redweek contract is probably the same, at least in the cancellation provisions. It is very clear that there is no cancellation and that Redweek now holds the money and keeps it until 2 days after guest check in. So, I don't think there is any chance of a charge back in the sense that Redweek will have the money for 6 months prior to the week.

You are right that I now see that the week remains in my marriottvacationclub.com account. It just disappeared from my Marriott.com account. So, I could theoretically just change the name again by filling out the form again?

I am thinking of offering to try and rerent the week. I will need to find out what redweek will do in this instance because they actually hold the money. I'm sure that they'd cooperate to an extent. But, would they require some kind of contract, fee, etc.? They would actually be out some of their fee if the week rented for less as well, at least theoretically. I'm not sure how they'd handle the change.

Some credit card companies are very liberal with their chargeback policies. How long has it been since they paid? If you refuse the refund now, they could initiate a chargeback now, not after the checkin date.

I agree with the prior poster. I think you need to talk to Redweek. I suspect though they want as little friction as possible. Give the refund or not. They won't go through the shenanigans of holding on to it and only refunding if you find another renter.

I am inclined to hold firm on the no cancellation policy as agreed to when they rented. Take the chance on a rare chargeback, but the contract should hold up your end of the agreement. It isn't personal, it is business. Don't let emotions get involved.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Redweek's verified and protected is only $10 less than full service. I choose full service. I had two people try to cancel their rentals through RW because of the Lahaina fire. The reservations were months after the fire, but they rented before the fire occurred. Both times, RW allowed me to decide. I told the renters that the resort was untouched by the fire.

 

[sdtugger]

I called Redweek and it took me a while to even get the agent to understand that I wanted to discuss potentially giving some kind of refund in the context of a strict no refunds contract. He simply kept repeating that there are no refunds in this case. He said that there were no mechanisms to do anything other than no refund. That made my response to the renter easy. Crossing fingers now . . .

 

[dioxide45]

I called Redweek and it took me a while to even get the agent to understand that I wanted to discuss potentially giving some kind of refund in the context of a strict no refunds contract. He simply kept repeating that there are no refunds in this case. He said that there were no mechanisms to do anything other than no refund. That made my response to the renter easy. Crossing fingers now . . .

So did the renter contact you directly? Or somehow through Redweek?

 

[sdtugger]

The renter sent me a message through Redweek

 

[grupp]

I called Redweek and it took me a while to even get the agent to understand that I wanted to discuss potentially giving some kind of refund in the context of a strict no refunds contract. He simply kept repeating that there are no refunds in this case. He said that there were no mechanisms to do anything other than no refund. That made my response to the renter easy. Crossing fingers now . . .

That is odd that Redweek responded that way unless they have changed their procedures. I had a renter a few years ago that rented through a verified and protected listing and later discovered they had booked the wrong dates. Even thought it was a non-refundable listing, I knew I could find someone else so agreeded to cancel. We messaged Redweek and advised them of our agreeement and requested they cancel and refund the money, which they did. They aslo relisted my week at no additional cost.

As for Marriott changing the name again, that should not be a problem. I had this situation a few weeks ago on a rental I had done through Vacation Candy that required a second name change. I wasn't sure how tha would work with the new form, but completed the form and recieved the updated confirmation the next day. My only suggestion is when completing the form, use your own email address so the confirmation is still sent to you

 

[Steve A]

Question: if my son and a friend will be joining us in a two bedroom at a stay in Palm Desert will I have to fill out a form for the friend?

 

[Pamplemousse]

If you are staying you don’t need the form

 

[sponger76]

Question: if my son and a friend will be joining us in a two bedroom at a stay in Palm Desert will I have to fill out a form for the friend?

If the reservation is in your name and you're going to be there, no need to fill out the form

 

[sdtugger]

So, the renter just asked if they can transfer the week to someone else? I believe that the Redweek contract says that they can't do that. And, of course, Redweek told me that there was no refund and then grupp reported that they let him do it [Grupp was that with a strict no refunds provision in the Redweek contract?]. So, I wonder if Redweek would allow either a refund or reassignment of the week? I'm wondering what I can/should do at this point . . . .

 

[grupp]

So, the renter just asked if they can transfer the week to someone else? I believe that the Redweek contract says that they can't do that. And, of course, Redweek told me that there was no refund and then grupp reported that they let him do it [Grupp was that with a strict no refunds provision in the Redweek contract?]. So, I wonder if Redweek would allow either a refund or reassignment of the week? I'm wondering what I can/should do at this point . . . .

It was a moderate cancellation policy that would have entitled them to a 50% refund but I agreed to a 100% refund. They did not receive a refund of their travel insurance. See attached conversation with Redweek. Although Redweek continues to be more difficult to deal with and seems to care less and less about their customers, so this may no longer be possible.

 

[Dean]

Do you have the direct contact info for the renter? If so, I'd let it go through RW as is with no cancelation then if you rent it again or let them sublet it, send them a partial refund independently. I'd be leery of letting them sublet it though.

 

[5finny]

So is this a reason not to use Redweek verified and protected?
Or does this give you some protection from chargebacks and a reason just to insist on strict contract enforcement?

 

[m61376]

Question: if my son and a friend will be joining us in a two bedroom at a stay in Palm Desert will I have to fill out a form for the friend?

If you are arriving together or you are arriving first you don't need to fill out a form. If a non-owner will be arriving first and wants to check in then you need to fill out the form.

 

[sdtugger]

Update: Redweek said they had no problem if I wanted to change the name with Marriott. So, I told the renter to go ahead and find someone to take the week. Crossing my fingers…