Cancel Hays Travel: The Right Way

How to cancel your Hays Travel booking and get your money back

Why you might need to cancel with Hays Travel

Travel plans change. Whether you've faced financial hardship, a family emergency, illness or simply found better value elsewhere, cancelling a Hays Travel booking is a legitimate right you can exercise. This section covers the main reasons Irish customers cancel and what you should understand before you act.

Common reasons for cancellation

You might cancel your Hays Travel booking for many valid reasons. Job loss, redundancy, unexpected illness, family emergencies and genuine financial hardship all carry stronger legal weight under Irish consumer law. You might also cancel because your circumstances have simply changed, you've found cheaper flights or accommodation, or you've reconsidered the holiday altogether. Each reason may trigger different consumer protections, so understanding your situation helps you frame your cancellation request effectively and strengthens your position if Hays Travel refuses to cooperate.

Why acting quickly protects your money

Hays Travel charges cancellation fees that increase sharply as your travel date approaches. A booking cancelled 90 days before departure costs far less to cancel than one cancelled 14 days before. Irish consumer law also gives you statutory rights within specific timeframes, and acting fast protects those rights before supplier deadlines pass. The sooner you notify Hays Travel in writing, the more of your money you'll recover and the stronger your legal position becomes if the company disputes your claim.

Understanding Hays travel's cancellation charges and refund structure

Hays Travel operates as a travel agent intermediary, meaning your contract sits between you, the agent and third-party suppliers like airlines and hotels. Understanding how charges stack up helps you predict what you'll recover.

How Hays Travel calculates cancellation fees

When you cancel with Hays Travel, the company applies charges in line with the underlying supplier's terms, then adds its own administration fee. Supplier charges typically increase as your departure date nears: a booking cancelled 90 days out may incur 10 to 20 percent of your total cost, whilst cancellation within 14 days often means losing 50 to 100 percent of your payment. Hays Travel also deducts its own administration charges, typically ranging from EUR 25 to EUR 100 depending on booking complexity and whether you're cancelling the entire booking or just one traveller. Before you confirm your cancellation, ask Hays Travel for a written breakdown of all charges so you know exactly what to expect and can verify the charges are accurate and lawful under Irish consumer law.

Refund timescales and payment methods

Once Hays Travel processes your cancellation and receives refunds from suppliers, the agent typically returns money to your original payment method within 14 to 28 days. If you paid by credit card, your card issuer may take a further 5 to 10 working days to post the credit. Bank transfers are slower and harder to track. If more than 30 days pass without a refund or acknowledgement, escalate your complaint immediately and contact Tocancel for guidance on your next steps, as long delays suggest the agent is holding your money rather than chasing it from suppliers. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers recover delayed refunds from travel agents who ignore payment deadlines.

Your consumer rights when cancelling a Hays Travel booking

Irish and UK law grant you clear protections when you book a package holiday. This section sets out your statutory rights and how to invoke them if Hays Travel refuses to comply.

Package travel law and your legal position

Under the Package Travel Regulations 2018, Hays Travel must provide you with clear written information before you pay, including the full price, cancellation terms, and details of insurance. Your legal position is this: if Hays Travel fails to provide clear written terms at the point of sale, those unfair terms cannot be enforced against you, and you may have grounds to claim a full refund even within the normal cancellation window. Additionally, if you booked a package holiday (flight plus hotel, for example) and Hays Travel provided the entire package as a single contract, you have stronger rights than if you booked individual components separately. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (which applies to contracts formed in the UK or Ireland) also protects you against hidden charges and unfair contract terms that disadvantage you unfairly.

When you can cancel without penalty

You have a statutory right to cancel any distance contract (a contract formed at a distance, such as by phone, email or online) within 14 calendar days of purchase, provided the holiday has not yet started. This is your cooling-off period, and you can invoke it simply by notifying Hays Travel in writing before the period expires. If your holiday falls within this window, Hays Travel can only deduct reasonable costs they've already incurred in processing your booking, not profit margins or administration fees. Beyond 14 days, cancellation charges apply in line with the supplier's terms, unless you have a stronger reason (such as illness or bereavement) that may entitle you to statutory protection or compassionate refunds. Your legal position strengthens significantly if Hays Travel failed to provide clear terms at the outset or if the company's charges are manifestly unfair under Irish consumer law.

How to cancel your Hays Travel booking step by step

Cancelling with Hays Travel requires a written request submitted to the correct contact address. Follow these steps to ensure your cancellation is recorded and processed quickly.

1. Gather your booking reference number and any confirmation emails you received from Hays Travel.
   • Check your email inbox (including spam) for the booking confirmation.
   • If you cannot find the reference, log into the Hays Travel website (if your booking was made online) or check your payment confirmation from your bank or credit card statement.
2. Decide whether you're cancelling the entire booking or just one traveller's portion.
   • If cancelling the full booking, state this clearly in your email.
   • If cancelling only one traveller, provide that person's name and explain whether the remaining travellers should continue.
3. Compose a clear email to Hays Travel's customer support team.
   • Address it to [email protected].
   • Subject line: "Cancellation Request - Booking Reference [Your Reference Number]".
   • State clearly: "I wish to cancel my booking with Hays Travel, reference [number], departing on [date]."
   • Include your full name, contact number and email address.
   • Optionally, explain your reason for cancellation (this can strengthen your position if you later dispute charges).
   • Request a written confirmation of your cancellation and a breakdown of all charges before processing.
4. Send your cancellation email from your personal email address and keep a copy for your records.
   • Do not cancel via phone call alone; email creates a written record that protects you.
   • If the company asks you to call, follow up with a confirmatory email restating your cancellation request.
5. Wait for Hays Travel's response confirming receipt of your cancellation request.
   • Expect a response within 2 to 5 working days.
   • If you receive no response within a week, send a follow-up email and consider contacting Tocancel for escalation advice.
6. Review the cancellation charges Hays Travel provides and verify they are accurate.
   • Cross-check charges against the original booking terms and supplier policies.
   • If charges appear unfair or exceed the supplier's stated policy, challenge them in writing and cite the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
   • Tocancel advisors can review your charge breakdown and advise whether the amounts are lawful under Irish consumer law.
7. Confirm your cancellation and authorize the deduction of agreed charges.
   • Reply to Hays Travel confirming you accept the charges (if satisfied) or dispute them (if you believe they are unfair).
   • If disputing, state your grounds clearly: for example, "These charges exceed the supplier's cancellation policy" or "No clear terms were provided at the point of sale."
8. Monitor your refund and follow up if it does not arrive within 30 days.
   • Note the date Hays Travel processes your cancellation.
   • If a refund has not reached your bank account or credit card within 30 days, send a formal complaint to Hays Travel's management team and escalate to the relevant consumer authority.

Hays Travel cancellation charges at a glance

Cancellation costs depend on how far in advance you cancel and the supplier's policy. This table shows typical charges you can expect:

These charges are estimates based on typical supplier policies. Your actual charges depend on your specific booking, the airlines and hotels involved, and any travel insurance or protection plans you purchased. Always request a detailed breakdown from Hays Travel before authorizing any cancellation.

What happens after you cancel with Hays Travel

Once you've submitted your cancellation, understanding what comes next helps you stay in control and know when to follow up.

Processing timeline and what to expect

After Hays Travel receives your cancellation request, the company contacts the underlying suppliers (airlines, hotels, car rental firms) to cancel your reservations and request refunds. This process typically takes 5 to 15 working days, depending on how many suppliers are involved and how quickly they respond. You'll receive a cancellation confirmation from Hays Travel outlining the charges being deducted and the refund amount being processed. From that point, you can expect your refund to reach your original payment method within 14 to 28 days. If you paid by debit or credit card, your bank may take a further 5 to 10 working days to post the credit to your account. Throughout this period, keep all emails and confirmations from Hays Travel in a folder for reference.

What to do if your refund is late or missing

If more than 30 days pass without a refund reaching your account, Hays Travel is holding your money beyond a reasonable timeframe. Send a formal complaint email to Hays Travel's management team (not customer support) requesting an immediate update on the refund status and evidence that the supplier has paid the agent. Give the company 7 working days to respond. If Hays Travel does not respond or refuses to pay, escalate your complaint to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK or to the Central Bank of Ireland if your contract is governed by Irish law. Tocancel advisors can help you prepare a formal complaint and guide you through the escalation process, ensuring your claim is documented and legally sound.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancelling a holiday is stressful, and small missteps can cost you money or delay your refund. Here are the pitfalls Tocancel sees most often:

Mistake 1: cancelling by phone without written follow-up

If you cancel by phone, Hays Travel may claim later that you never requested a cancellation or that you agreed to different terms. Always send a written email confirming your cancellation request, even if you've already called. This creates a legal record and protects you if a dispute arises later.

Mistake 2: accepting unfair charges without questioning them

Some travel agents add inflated administration fees or apply supplier charges incorrectly. Always request a detailed breakdown and cross-check it against your original booking terms and the supplier's published cancellation policy. If charges seem too high, challenge them in writing and reference the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which protects you against unfair contract terms.

Mistake 3: not requesting a written cancellation confirmation

Without a written confirmation stating the refund amount and expected date, you have no evidence if Hays Travel later claims the refund was processed differently. Always ask for confirmation in writing before you authorize any deduction.

Mistake 4: allowing more than 30 days to pass without escalating

Travel agents sometimes delay processing refunds, hoping customers will forget or give up. If your refund hasn't arrived within 30 days, escalate immediately to the company's complaints team and consider contacting Tocancel for advice on your next steps.

Mistake 5: cancelling during the supplier's non-refundable window without exploring alternatives

If your cancellation falls within a supplier's non-refundable period, ask Hays Travel whether you can amend your booking (change dates or travellers) instead of cancelling outright. Amendments often cost far less than cancellation and may recover more of your money.

Key actions to take before cancelling

Before you submit your cancellation, take these steps to protect yourself and maximize your refund:

How tocancel can help you cancel with confidence

Cancelling a holiday booking involves navigating supplier policies, understanding your consumer rights and ensuring the company processes your refund fairly. Tocancel simplifies this process by offering expert guidance on every step. Whether you need help composing your cancellation email, verifying that Hays Travel's charges are lawful, or escalating a dispute with the company, Tocancel advisors are here to support you. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel travel bookings and recover refunds, and our advisors know exactly how travel agents like Hays Travel operate and where they often cut corners. If you're unsure whether your cancellation request was processed correctly or if you believe Hays Travel has charged you unfairly, contact Tocancel for a free initial review of your situation.

Contacting Hays Travel to cancel your booking

Submit your cancellation request to the following address:

Email: [email protected]

What to include in your cancellation email:

• Your full name and contact telephone number.
• Your booking reference number.
• Departure date and destination.
• Clear statement: "I wish to cancel this booking entirely" or "I wish to cancel the booking for [traveller name]."
• Request for written confirmation of charges and expected refund amount.
• Your preferred refund method (original payment method is standard).

Keep a copy of your email and note the date you send it. If you do not receive a response within 5 working days, send a follow-up email and consider contacting Tocancel for escalation advice. Tocancel advisors can review your correspondence, verify that Hays Travel is following Irish consumer law, and help you recover your refund if the company is not cooperating. Your right to cancel is protected by law, and you have every right to insist that Hays Travel honors your request promptly and fairly.