Intolerable age: OneFam hostels prohibit lodging people over 45 years old
Onefam Hostelsthe Spanish shelter chain that does not allow to stay to people over 45 years old – and even at a minor age in some establishments – has eliminated the information regarding this age restriction after the complaint of the complaint after the website after Facua-Consumers in action and the information published by 65 and more. Although the chain of hostels has not ruled at any time after exploding this week, in the terms and conditions this age requirement no longer appears. It is unknown, however, if they have decided to end this policy or if they have only erased it from the web.
Until this Tuesday, and as can be seen in the next screenshot, within the section of “Terms and conditions” From the Onefam Hostels website, a section with the epigraph appeared “Age restriction “(” age restriction “)where the age limits for some of its establishments were specified. For example, in Barcelona he was 45 years old, in Prague of 40, in Budapest of 39 and in London of 36. And they added: “If you do not meet these age requirements upon reaching the hostel, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation without returning the deposit, in addition to charging you the corresponding cancellation expenses,”. Now, that section has been eliminated.
Likewise, There is no trace of age limits on the specific pages of each establishmentalthough on the Google search page they are still visible.
Facua’s complaint
Last Monday, Facua denounced Onefam Hosels for just allowing accommodation to people of Between 18 and 45 years in the nine establishments in Spain. The chain has shelters in Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilleso the complaints have been filed before the General Directorate of Tourism and Hospitality of the Community of Madrid, the Directorate of Tourism Services of the City of Barcelona and the General Directorate of Tourist Planning of the Junta de Andalucía, respectively.
The association indicated that this arbitrary imposition of maximum age “It is no meaning”since it supposes “Discrimination for people over 45”. According to Facua, article 39 of Law 13/2002 of Tourism of Catalonia states that “access and permanence in tourist accommodation establishments are free for users who have hired services and services and They cannot be restricted by reason of race, sex, religion, opinion or any other personal or social condition or circumstance“
Toni Subías, CEO of Onefam
In addition, he adds that article 88 of the aforementioned regulations collect as serious infraction “Prohibit users freely access establishments, expel them from them or prevent them from using services, except for just cause.”
It also quotes the Spanish Constitution, which in its article 12 dictates that the Spaniards are of legal age at age 18, while article 246 of the Civil Code states that The adults can “perform all acts of civil life, except for the exceptions established in special cases by this Code.”
65 and more testimonies of affected
Two days later, 65ymás published What numerous travelers confirm this policy of age discrimination. In the reviews of the different establishments, affected report how they were denied access when doing the Check-ineven some with a previous reserve, leaving them without alternative and having to look for another accommodation.
“Great and bitter was my surprise when they arrive, they don’t admit me, they cancel the reservation and leave me on the street, because I am more than 45 years old”says a traveler. Another describes as “unpleasant” the situation he lived, after he traveled with four friends and be rejected because one of them was 49 years old: “It seemed so extremely discriminatory and unpleasant that in all the years I have left to reach 45, which for them is the limit in which you can reside in a place that is made for the party and fun, I would never stay there. Only because of the bad drink they just passed. “
“I had made a reservation a month ago for 3 people and I sent them my document and all good. Well, nothing, I get there with my husband and my daughter and they tell me that we cannot stay why it is for children under 45 years. So neither short, nor lazy left us lying in Barcelona after having made nine hours of travel. Anyway some scoundrels, I would like to report them … “, points out another traveler.
In statements at 65 and more, Rubén SánchezFacua spokesmanhas urged travelers who have been harmed by this policy to take legal actions to be compensated. “Really all those affected could claim damage and damages for the Fact that they have made a trip, they find that they do not let them access the establishment and have to look for alternative accommodation, ” Point out.
Rubén Sánchez details the concepts for which those affected could be compensated, demanding from the chain the reimbursement of “The price difference of the new accommodation” that they were forced to hire. Add that compensation could go “Beyond moral damage” caused by the discriminatory situation. For all this, it concludes with a clear call to action by consumers: “With which it is claimable and we invite those affected to do so”.
“An obvious example of age”
The measure has been hard also criticized by the main older associations of the country. José Luis Fernández Santillana, president of the Spanish Confederation of Elderly Organizations (CEOMA), qualifies it as “Flagrant discrimination”while Josep Carné I Teixidó, president of the Federation of Associations of Elderly of Catalonia (FATEC), regrets that “the goal is to create small ghettos.” “It is hard to believe it, The mouth is filled that we have to fight ageism and Every day we have more examplesthis is a flagrant case, “he adds.
For his part, Gloria Margarita Veiga, president of the State Confederation of Greater Assets (Confemac), points out that “It is very worrying” and it is “an obvious example of agebecause people are excluded only by their age, without any other justification. “The associations applaud Facua’s complaint, considering that measures are taken before these practices.
