First Choice Changes Arrival Airport

holidayqueen

I've booked a holiday with First Choice to Cyprus for 14 days and paid in full(1600). Today i've received a lett from them, states that Libra (who hols booked with) have adv that for operational reasons thay have to change the flight arrival airport from Paphos to Larnaca. I dont want this.
I rang Fist Choice to chk out problem (got a crabby sa) and she said would ring Libra. When she called me back she just stated same and when i would'nt accept this she just got more crabby. I then spoke to !!!!!!/mngr(main man not in) complained re sa and basically got same answer from him regarding Libra. I asked what my options were and he said ring Libra (but i'd get nowhere) and unless i accept the change i would have to cancel hols and lose £180 deposit!. :eek:
I stated would chk online to see if the original flight was still avail, and if it was would ring him back. Low and behold the flight is still avail, but when rang him back he's not in and got same crabby sa and again who was even more obnoxious. Asked for name/tel no of managing director but was refused.
Any helpful suggestions much appreciated.

richardw

Have a good look through the terms and conditions and see what they say about major changes and destination airport.

Adopt a stance that persuades them into providing what you want, usually takes quite a lot of calls and discussion so don't be put off, just be persistent and persuasive, in a clear and calm manner.

hjb123

Was the holiday booked as a package? Ie that you would be going to Cyprus for 14 days and the flights and everything were included? Did you state specifically that you wanted to land in that airport?

Where abouts are you staying in Cyprus? And are transfers included in the price?

barron_2

Libra t&c's,state that a change of arrival airport is a MINOR change ,therefore No compensation is payable,
Depending on which resort you are staying in,it may be better.They wouldnt just change unless for good reason.
Without showing you disrespect,again it is a case of people signing the T&C's without understanding them.

holidayqueen

Thanks for replies. We are staying in Paphos on a package deal and the trans times have now changed from approx 1/2hr to 3 hrs. So definately a disadvantage. I dont want compensation, i want the flight which i booked which is still available.

barron_2

holidayqueen wrote:

Thanks for replies. We are staying in Paphos on a package deal and the trans times have now changed from approx 1/2hr to 3 hrs. So definately a disadvantage. I dont want compensation, i want the flight which i booked which is still available.

Try ringing Libra,find out why?and ask them as a goodwill gesture to give you PRIVATE transfers.
Its possible they may have even done an admin error,or see if they can change your flight to a differant charter,at no extra cost.
Happy Hols

holidayqueen

Thanks Barron, i will try that, seems more than a reasonable suggestion to keep a customer happy!

hjb123

holidayqueen wrote:

Thanks for replies. We are staying in Paphos on a package deal and the trans times have now changed from approx 1/2hr to 3 hrs. So definately a disadvantage. I dont want compensation, i want the flight which i booked which is still available.

Did they give a reason for changing the flights? Do you get there sooner or later? Or have to leave home any earlier?

I would think that to be honest they are perfectly able to alter the flights - maybe there werent enough people on your flight to justify the transfer or something and they have amalgamated it with another.

holidayqueen

The only reason given for changing arrival airport was stated as 'operational reasons'. The flight is 10 wks away so that would be a bit early to say not enough folks had booked it. It now leaves 1/2hr earlier which is no big deal.

Just to clarify(i dont think i made myself clear on orig post), the flight i want and booked is still avail going to Paphos, i have been changed to another flight going to Larnaca. My gripe is that the original flight is still avail and on sale. I cant see any justification at this time for the change.

vfm

I would keep on at First Choice seeing as your original flight is still being advertised. I've recently had two bad experiences with them regarding flight changes, and have vowed never to travel with them again. The first was to Turkey when they decided two weeks before departure that they were going to fly us from Manchester via Gatwick making the flight longer. On that occassion I said I would cancel. They then contacted me a few days later to say they were leaving the flight as a direct Manchester to Turkey flight. Maybe too many of us were prepared to cancel. The second time we didn't have that option, they informed us whilst on holiday 'due to operational reasons' our flight home would be diverted via Gatwick to Manchester, making a 2.5 hour flight into almost 5 hours. The treatment we got from First Choice was very bad. We had no choice but to take the 5 hour flight home. It was also happening to the people flying home the following week. Obviously First Choice make a habit of flight changes 'due to operational reasons', and classing it as a minor change. However I don't see why if your original flight is still available they can't leave you on that. I would insist that they put you back on the original flight or ask them to cancel the holiday (without loss of deposit) and book with someone else. They should not be able to treat customers the way they are. Have you tried contacting ABTA?
Good Luck

holidayqueen

Result. :j

Thanks to everyone for your contribution, i have now got myself and hubby back on the original flight we booked! :T :T :T

Spoke to Libra holidays and they magically found two seats for us.

(sings)(((( oh happy days))) :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: