Beware of booking with FLexi Club during the COVID period

. I have been a FlexiClub member since 1996. Sometime in August 2020 I made reservations for a holiday at Hastings Hall Resort for 2 units. I used points for the one unit, and I paid R8000.00 for the other unit. Prior to me booking Flexi Club sent an email informing me that they are open for bookings despite the COVID. When I called to make the booking, I enquired about COVID and the possibility of my holiday being impacted by COVID related developments, I was informed that I would be allowed to cancel if my reason for cancelling is COVID related. The holiday was supposed to begin on Friday 8 January 2021. After much thought and having considered: • the current situation with COVID related second wave of infections • the emergence of a more virulent strain of the virus • President Ramaphosa’s speech from last week and comments about unnecessary travel • the fact that my son and I are both asthmatic • areas of concern with the Western Cape and Cape Metropolitan area being one such area we decided not to go on the holiday. On (Tuesday 5 January) I contacted Flexi Club asking to at least postpone the holiday to another date. I was transferred to a certain lady who categorically told me that if I cancel, I will forfeit the money and points for the bookings. FlexiClub were insistent on a 21-day notice period but this was not feasible as we could not have predicted the current growth in infections and resultant deaths. I tried to reason with the company to state that the risk of exposure is high at this point. and, we would not be getting value for money from such a holiday considering limited movement out of concern for getting infected. Travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town itself would present exposure risks. Despite the long calls I had with the company my issue was not resolved. The company took advantage of me by misrepresenting the fact that if I book I would be allowed to cancel the booking for COVID related reasons. Thabisile Langa