For over 20 years our family have used National trust holidays,TBH the cottages are not the cheapest on the market and we have at times had to have a moan about things H&S wise but on the whole we have been happy with the service.We were due to go on holiday with them at the end of March for two weeks,the weekend before it was becoming clear that it may not be wise but at that time lockdown was not in force.By chance I looked on the NT website it said they were shutting down all holidays and would ring poeple in turn, after some days of no contact I rang them they stated that they were postponing everyones holiday as "they wanted everyone to enjoy them", I was told in no uncertain terms that I could not have a refund and if I canceled it myself as it less that a week away I would lose all payment, I could look to rebook for any time in the next 10 months, I pointed out that as keyworkers my wife and I can not pluck leave out of hat at a moments notice and that many people would need money spend on a holiday they cannot take back to help deal with the coming troubles ahead, but no it was give them some made up dates or lose a lot of moneyI have had no emails to confirm my date changes and the call centre is now closed.Lets be clear about this the NT are sitting with 100s of £1000s of peoples money, money some may need to help at a time of great worry,NT have also said they are furloughing 1000s of staff at the taxpayers expence,this is as bad as airline owners using the taxpayer as a cash point machine.I have been advised that the legal term for this is a Frustrated Contract as the terms of contract cannot be meet by any side and a refund should have been in order.When the call centre reopens i will be taking this matter onwards.In short NT have treated people who for many years have supported them and NT staff disgracefully, hopefully when the life returns to normal they will be held to account,i post this as a warning to others who may look to use them or support them.Prehaps others in the same position as myself should seek to form an group to take this further.
