While I am more concerned for the well being of all the wonderful people we met while visiting SXM over the past few years, I just wanted to point out that those of us who had future rentals through HomeAway, may or may not get our deposits back. I understand that the gentleman who rented me his property has more on his mind at the moment, and may not even have internet. I requested a refund and when I received no response, contacted HomeAway. I was advised to contest it through my credit card as their protection does not cover natural disasters. Looking at the big picture, my deposit being refunded or not will not greatly effect me. I just wanted others to be aware for the future. I am still using HomeAway and have rented a place in Aruba for the same time frame.

Home Away is owned by Expedia. Good luck with dealing with this company. Suggestion---boycott xpedia

I hope everyone is treated fairly, BUT, how about reading the fine print prior to making a booking. Deposits are NOT always refundable regardless.

Expedia/HomeAway really don't have anything to do with the owners refund policy. Its 100% up to the owner but if the home is not damaged and available for the dates booked then I would not think the owner would NOT be required to refund. If the home is not available to use for the dates then a refund I would think is needed. Of course I bet after something like this a lot of theses owners just don't have the money to start refunding. If you signed a rental agreement stating the refund policy as not refundable a credit card contest might not work either. Maybe split the loss with the owner or take a credit for another year. Buy travel insurance next time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Homeaway does have something to do with the deposit when you pay through them. They cover you for an uninhabitable property upon arrival. I think that it is safe to assume that a cottage that overlooked the water on the French side is most likely uninhabitable, especially when I cannot make contact with the owner. However it is correct to say that the fine print states that a natural disaster negates that. I am not upset with the owner as this is way beyond his control and I am not upset with Homeaway. I just want others to be aware of the exception for their future knowledge.

I received my refund yesterday through the credit card that I used. Coincidently a short while later I received an E-Mail from the property owner stating that he understood my concerns and was going to refund my deposit but seen that it was addressed. Either way the matter has been taken care of.

I feel for u- my debit card has unauthorized maintenance charges twice since hurricane, as I feel terrible for the people, this is my life as a single mom and I have been on the phone w my bank all day, trying to get in touch with Sapphire and the maintenance fee department! I'm serious be careful. I had to hot card my debit card today! Crazy! Now I have to wait two weeks for a new card! I paid my fees up to date when I was there this past April! Now I've had 1800 dollars taken or in last 30 days! Just totally sick about this! I am disputing it though.

Tracey--I feel your pain with regard to this situation. I have to say though that I hope you change your way of doing business with those people. Don't use a debit card!

Yes, I have definitely learned my lesson!(((((Hoping now just to get it back-) I may have to just suck it up and think of it as helping them out-)&#128527;

Other than getting cash out of a bank machine, NEVER use your debit card for a purchase. If there are fraud issues your funds maybe tied up. If there are fraud issues with a credit card, your credit is tied up. I would rather my credit be tied up than my personal funds. It may take some effort to make sure your credit card spending does not exceed your ability to pay the bill off monthly, but the effort is worth it. On top of that I use cards with a reward system and get various free travel items.

Agreed, debit cards are VERY dangerous...