That is standard practise. It is to prevent people buying up cheap flights and selling them on at a profit.

luci

This may sound harsh but any extra money you have to pay, your friends should pay! I know they're your friends but it goes both ways and if they are your friends then I feel they should stump up and not let you incur any more charges!
If it was the other way round would you let your friends pay if YOU backed out?

Yes i agree with Chivas. Any extra should be down to them as they have let you down.

I don't think it's harsh to expect them to pay. They shouldn't expect their friends to cough up when they are the one's causing the problem.

Thats that one sorted then! Shall we lock it now?

If it comes to it we will pay half of the fee but will try all options to avoid this.
Spoke to helpful CS guy today so hopefully might be getting somewhere.
Thanks for the comments and help