Thomson's hotel price warning

CassL

Hi I've got an issue with the way Thomson (TUI) advertise their hotel prices on their website. I think it's either miss-selling or false advertising what do you think?

This dinner time I looked at their site and they'll sell you a room in Rome (7 nights starting tonight) for 637 Euros. They're advertising that in big red letters as £504 yet I just rang my local shop and if you wanted to buy 637 euros in a thomsons shop right now it would cost you £526.45. That's £22 more than advertised. Plus they want a card to book the hotel, which means it's bound to cost you more than that.

This isn't just a blip in the system, it's been going on months.
I booked a room in February and the confirmation email said that it would cost me £316 at "today's exchange rate" looking back the exchange rate records show it should have been advertised at nearer £345.
I'd budgeted for a 10% increase if the exchange rate swung the wrong way, but this false price wiped that slack out and it ended up costing me £384:mad:

Money savers beware the Thomsons bargain may not be a bargain!

Kez100

They may want a card to book but if you use debit I doubt they will surcharge - it's credit cads they tend to add extra for.

£22 on exchange rate differences is nothing. They are probably using mid rate which is what it would 'theoretically' cost if you had Euros sat in your pocket to buy the holiday with.

I think you are just annoyed at losing out but that is the way the cookie crumbles.

CassL

Maybe, but it's advertised at a lower rate than the cheapest deal you can get using the money maximimser.
It just seems that very few people would ever be able to buy it at the price they're advertising - even if they paid immediately. So if the exchange swings against you as well you end up way over budget.

shadej

Everywhere has different exchange rates and with them I guess you get a lower rate.
If you call their call center they will let you pay in pounds.