Wondering if you can pull the plug on the hotel part of your Love Holidays booking while still flying out? You’re not alone - many travellers hit this snag when plans shift at the last minute. Below we break down exactly how Love Holidays handles partial cancellations, what you’ll get back, and the smartest way to protect your wallet.

What makes a Love Holidays package tick?

Love Holidays bundles flights and hotels into a single Love Holidays travel package that promises a coordinated flight‑hotel experience. When you book, you’re essentially signing up for two services that share one contract. That’s why the company can apply a single cancellation policy to the whole bundle, but it also means you can sometimes split the contract if the terms allow.

Core Love Holidays cancellation rules you need to know

Love Holidays’ standard policy falls into three buckets:

• Full cancellation - both flight and hotel are dropped.
• Partial cancellation - usually you can keep the flight and lose the hotel, but only if the flight isn’t tied to a specific hotel‑only fare.
• Non‑refundable rates - some promotional deals lock in the entire price.

All of this is outlined in the booking confirmation under “cancellation policy”. The fine print mentions a “minimum stay” clause for hotels and a “departure window” for flights - two crucial levers you’ll need to watch.

Scenario A: Cancel the hotel, keep the flight

If your flight is still within the allowable change window (usually up to 48 hours before departure for most Love Holidays fares), you can request a hotel‑only cancellation. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Contact Love Holidays’ customer service via phone or the online portal.
2. Specify that you want to retain the flight and drop the hotel.
3. The system will recalculate the price, applying a hotel‑cancellation fee (often 30 % of the hotel cost) plus any admin charge.
4. You’ll receive a revised voucher or credit for the remaining balance, which you can use on future bookings.

The key is timing - the later you request the change, the higher the penalty.

Scenario B: How the refund numbers break down

These figures are illustrative; the exact numbers depend on your specific fare class and hotel star rating.

Travel insurance can be a safety net

Many travellers buy a separate travel insurance policy that covers “trip interruption”. If you have such a policy, you can claim the hotel‑cancellation fee and any non‑refundable flight portion, provided the reason fits the insurer’s criteria (illness, severe weather, etc.). Always keep the receipts and the cancellation confirmation - insurers love paperwork.

Step‑by‑step: How to cancel the hotel and keep the flight

1. Log into your Love Holidays account and locate the booking reference.
2. Click the “Manage booking” button and select “Cancel hotel only”.
3. Read the displayed fee breakdown. If it looks right, confirm the cancellation.
4. You’ll receive an email with a revised itinerary and a voucher code for the remaining value.
5. If the online tool doesn’t allow a partial change, call the customer service line (available 24/7 for UK bookings).

Remember to note the cancellation deadline shown on the screen - it’s your legal protection point.

Tips to dodge surprise charges

• Book flexible rates. Love Holidays flags flexible hotel rooms and refundable flights with a “Free change” badge. They’re pricier up front but save you fees later.
• Use a credit card with travel protection. Some cards automatically cover flight‑cancellation fees if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase.
• Read the fine print. Look for clauses like “minimum stay of 2 nights” - breaking this rule can void any refund.
• Document everything. Screenshot the cancellation confirmation and keep the email thread for any dispute.
• Check EU consumer rights. If you’re booking from an EU country, the Package Travel Regulations give you a 14‑day cooling‑off period for most packages, even after departure.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

1. Thinking the flight automatically stays booked. Some discounted fares bundle the flight price with the hotel; if the hotel is dropped, the airline may re‑price the flight.

2. Missing the 48‑hour window. After that point, Love Holidays charges the full non‑refundable portion.

3. Assuming a voucher is cash. Vouchers often expire after 12 months and can’t be combined with other promotions.

Quick checklist before you hit “cancel”

• Verify the cancellation deadline in your confirmation email.
• Calculate the hotel's cancellation fee and compare it to the voucher value.
• Confirm your flight departure time is still valid.
• Check if your travel insurance covers the fees.
• Save a copy of the cancellation confirmation for future reference.