Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. We hope you find them of use. If you have an unanswered question please contact us at 0844 24 87 178 and we will do our very best to help you.
General
Can anyone avail of the offer?
Only members of The Co-operative Food membership who have a valid membership card are eligible to take “The Co-operative Food Great Breaks” at these special promotional rates. Members can take a hotel break as often as they wish. A break constitutes one hotel room booked for two or more nights.
If I am not a member, how do I join and how do I collect points?
The Co-operative Food welcomes new members. Details on how to join The Co-operative Food Membership programme, as well as how and where you can collect points, can be found on http://www.co-operative.coop/
The Co-operative Food Great Breaks programme is operated by Loyaltybuild on behalf of The Co-operative Food.
Pricing
What are the offers and what are the rates?
We offer 3-star and 4-star breaks. All the rates feature on our website at www.co-operativegreatbreaks.co.uk.
Are the offers good value?
Yes, these are special promotional rates negotiated with hotels on behalf of The Co-operative Food members. We are pleased to offer many hotels in many locations.
You highlight ‘hundred of hotels, all one price’ in your advertising, but I’ve noticed there are some different rates on the site. Can you explain?
We do have different types of hotel offers. Each offer type has its own ‘one price’. We have a ‘one price’ offer for 3-star hotel breaks - our most popular promotion and we have a ‘one price’ offer for 4-star hotel break offer, which is great value.
Are there any hidden costs (e.g. booking fees or credit card processing fees)?
The price quoted is the price that you pay. There are no additional booking fees or credit card charges. The price quoted is all inclusive of your hotel stay. Of course any additional items or amenities purchased at the hotel must be paid by you upon check-out.
Is breakfast included in the price?
Breakfast is always included in the price and is highlighted as part of our offer.
Children's breakfast is available for £5.50 per child, and is payable directly to the hotel.
The Reservation Process and Payments
What are my options for booking?
You can book your break on our website at www.co-operativegreatbreaks.co.uk . You can also book by phone by calling 0844 24 87 178. We don’t accept bookings by email, but if you need assistance in relation to a hotel booking you can call us between Monday and Friday from 8am to 9pm and Saturday from 8am to 7pm or email us at info@co-operativegreatbreaks.co.uk .
Do I pay a booking deposit or make payment in full when booking?
A booking deposit is due at the time you make your reservation. This confirms and holds your reservation. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Visa Debit and Electron payments for your booking deposit. The balance of the cost of your break is payable directly to your hotel at the time of check-out, along with any additional charges, and any products or services purchased at the hotel.
Can I pay for my stay at the hotel with a different method than the one used for my booking deposit?
As the payment details taken at the time of booking are only applied towards your booking deposit, you can pay at the hotel using the payment method of your choice accepted by the hotel.
Is it secure to pay by credit card?
Absolutely! We have processed over one million hotel bookings for customers across
How do I know that my reservation is confirmed?
When you have completed the reservation process online, an instant on-screen confirmation will appear. It will show your reservation details as well as your booking confirmation number. We advise that you print out both documents for your records. If you book by phone, you will be given a booking confirmation number at the end of the booking process. A confirmation email will also be sent if an email address is provided.
Searching the Website
Can you provide me with some tips on how to search on the website? I’m interested in a particular type of hotel?
Our website is designed to always present you with hotels that are available at the special promotional rates, on the dates that you select. This way you always have access to the widest available selection of hotels.
You always need to select a date and indicate the number of people travelling. Once you do this you will be presented with the locations where we have available hotels. Once you select the location you will be presented with one or more hotels, each with a short description and symbols to you help you chose a hotel best suited to your needs.
I’m not very familiar with making reservations on websites – can I check the website and book via phone?
The Co-operative Food Great Breaks website is easy to use and makes finding the best hotel for you simple.
If, while you are online, you want to talk to one of our reservations team to have them take you through the booking process or to complete the booking, please phone The Co-operative Food Great Breaks contact centre at 0844 24 87 178. Call rate of 5p per minute applies.
Where can I find the hotel’s contact details?
You can find the hotel’s address on the hotel description page on our website. The contact details will be provided in your email confirmation after you have made your booking. Our reservation agents will provide these details if you make your booking over the phone.
Hotel Policies and Facilities
What are the check-in and check-out times of a hotel?
The check-in and check-out times differ by hotel and these are featured on our website. If you are going to arrive very late or very early, we advise you to place a note to the hotel in the booking screen as to your anticipated time of arrival and similarly advise us when booking by phone. The hotel will receive a copy of your booking confirmation with these details. If your travel plans change after you make your booking, please contact the hotel directly.
If I do arrive late at the hotel, can I still check-in?
Yes. Our advice is that you should advise the hotel directly, but our bookings are guaranteed which means that the hotels are obligated to keep the room for the first night. Should you not show, then the hotel is entitled to charge for one night’s accommodation.
How do I know if the hotel has the facilities I require e.g. parking, baby-sitting services, etc.?
Our website at www.co-operativegreatbreaks.co.uk provides you with information on the facilities available through descriptions and the use of symbols. If the information you require is not specified, please send an email to us at info@co-operativegreatbreaks.co.uk.
What room types are available? I am interested in a family room.
Most of our hotels offer double rooms (one double bed) or twin rooms (two single beds). Some of our hotels do offer family rooms, which may be booked when available. Family rooms typically have one extra bed. Children's breakfast is available for £5.50 per child, and is payable directly to the hotel.
Generally, one child aged 10 or under is free in the existing bedding.
Changes and Cancellations
How can I cancel or change my booking?
Changes to bookings or cancellations must be made a minimum of 2 working days prior to the arrival date and cannot be made directly with participating hotels. To change or cancel your booking, please call 0844 24 87 178. For additional information on changes and cancellations please refer to The Co-operative Food Great Breaks terms & conditions .
Do I pay a fee to change my booking?
Changes to the original booking (i.e. change of travel date or hotel) is subject to promotional availability and will incur an administration fee of £20.
Do I pay a cancellation fee?
Cancellations received more than 2 working days prior to the scheduled day of arrival will incur the loss of the booking deposit. Cancellations received less than 2 days prior to the scheduled day of arrival or failure to show will result in the cost of one night’s accommodation being deducted from your credit card in addition to the loss of the booking deposit.
How do I know that my booking has been cancelled?
All cancellations must be made by calling The Co-operative Food Great Breaks contact centre at 0844 24 87 178. After you have cancelled your reservation, your cancellation will be noted and logged on our system. If you have email you will also receive an email to confirm your cancellation.
What's the best way to contact The Co-operative Food Great Breaks?
If you need to contact us by phone regarding an existing booking or a technical query, or if you would like to make a new booking, please call us between Monday and Friday from 8am to 9pm and Saturday from 8am to 7pm at 0844 24 87 178. (Note: Call rate of 5p per minute applies)
If you have a general query in relation to The Co-operative Food Great Breaks you can email us at info@co-operativegreatbreaks.co.uk .
Our postal address is Sapphire House
Roundtree Way
Norwich
NR7 8SQ