When plans change unexpectedly, it’s natural to feel frustrated about losing money, especially when it feels like the situation was mishandled. For one person, a group trip that was supposed to be a fun getaway quickly turned into a financial headache after they had to back out.
While they were told they couldn’t get a refund, they later discovered that the organizer found replacements for them, raising questions about whether they should still be out that $700.
The real issue now isn’t just about backing out but about the perceived fairness of the situation.
When the OP paid their $700 deposit, they signed up under the understanding that if they dropped out, the group’s costs would rise unless someone else filled the spot.
Once the organizer found replacements, though, the core justification for keeping the OP’s payment vanished, even if the contract didn’t expressly cover this scenario. That shift turns the issue into one of fairness more than strict legal right.
Consumer-rights guidance emphasizes that your entitlement to a refund heavily depends on who cancels and when.
For example, in the EU under the Package Travel Directive (2018) you can terminate your contract at any time before a trip by paying an “appropriate fee.” If the organiser cancels or makes a significant change, you’re often owed a full refund.
In Australia, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission notes that if you cancel a travel service, your rights to a refund typically hinge on the terms of your booking.
Though legally the organiser may stand firm (because the OP cancelled rather than the organiser), ethically the situation is more ambiguous.
A report from travel-consumer advising groups states that even where legal rights don’t compel it, a “fair allocation of costs” after a slot is filled boosts group cohesion and trust.
With that in mind, the OP’s request for at least a partial refund is reasonable. It might not be legally mandated, but it aligns with principles of shared responsibility and fairness, particularly since the additional cost the group was told they faced did not actually materialize.
The OP’s best course of action is to approach the organizer with calm, respectful communication. They should first review any written terms or agreements to understand what was stated about cancellations and replacements.
Once that’s clear, the OP can explain that while they accepted the no-refund policy when they initially withdrew, the situation has changed, two new participants joined, meaning their withdrawal no longer caused any financial loss to the group.
By framing the conversation around fairness rather than accusation, the OP can make a reasonable case for a partial refund as a goodwill gesture.
Even if the organizer chooses not to return the money, the OP will have handled the situation diplomatically and preserved integrity in the process.
Check out how the community responded:
These commenters agreed OP wasn’t the a**hole for asking about the refund.
This group leaned toward YTA, emphasizing that deposits exist to protect against cancellations.
These users explained that group travel plans often go wrong when one person is made the “organizer.”
These commenters also said YTA, arguing that OP should have accepted the financial loss as part of backing out.
This pair offered a balanced take, saying OP’s entitlement to a refund depends entirely on what the new people paid.
Both agreed it’s fine to ask but unwise to push.
![[Reddit User] − It’s possible she was only able to get the replacements because they were told they’d only have to pay the remainder.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761816324386-48.webp "Woman Asks For Refund After Trip Organizer Replaces Her, Is She Right to Demand Money Back?")
It’s understandable to feel frustrated when you’ve already paid for something you couldn’t participate in, especially when the organizer seemed firm on not offering a refund at first.
The key question here is whether the organizer is ethically obligated to refund some of the money now that the financial strain wasn’t a problem.
Do you think the OP is entitled to a refund, or was the organizer right to keep the money, given the initial agreement? How would you approach a situation like this? Share your thoughts below!
