Little Chef 'Free' Flights

Eddie_M_2

Got a call today from Little Chef after we'd finally tracked their promotion department down and asked them to find out what happened to their free flight promotion. Having collected the required receipts and applied in mid-December for a weekend trip to New York we've been told that there's no chance of the requested dates. If you want to go to NYC you have to take 5 nights- all at additional cost of course and at times we don't really want. Loads of gripes about this:
1. The original promotion material made no mention of the very limited choice of dates and availablilty
2. Little Chef failed to get back within the 30 days they stated, leaving it up to us to chase
3. The promotion material gave only one help line number but they could only help with 'filling out the forms'! They promissed to pass our enquiry on but nobody came back.
4. Also thought we could fly from Manchester in the original promo but we were only offered Heathrow (Air France).

Maybe all this delay meant that we had no chance... or is this another 'Hoover' where Little Chef never had a chance of honouring this promotion. I wonder how many weekends in NYC were actually ever on offer?

Davesmum_2

Had'nt heard of this one, but sounds a nightmare!! Probably find that no trips to NYC were ever given! Typical!

PS - Welcome to the boards, - If you are not a newbie and you have just fallen fowl to the new site - Sorry, and eh--- Welcome (Back!) LOL

elona

Have you thought of trying Trading Standards as I have a feeling they might be able to help?

trisontana

I think this offer is organised by a company called Rise Travel / MKM . This company has been running similar promotions for BT Broadband and E & J Gallo wine. In both instances people have reported the same problems as you appear to have. The ASA censured the company for misleading terms and conditions and the fact that people found it almost impossible to get a flight. They have also been featured on Watchdog and You and Yours ( Radio 4 )

This same company is also running a Daily Express promotion of a cruise for £10. That also is in deep trouble . Readers initially had their holiday confirmed and then cancelled . Instead they were offered a cruise in 2006 or money-off vouchers which are almost useless. This is an ongoing problem and and the full story is yet to emerge.

I have started a thread about this on the Warning and Rip-Off section off this board. Also see this article from the Guardian.

http://money.guardian.co.uk/travel/story/0,1456,1312216,00.html

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news !

trisontana

I forgot to add that Rise Travel are not members of ABTA but they do hold an ATOL licence.

worldtraveller

...if their promotion is anything like the service in their outlets then I fear for you all!!!!!

pennyminnow

tip of the day !
if you see free flights do not bother. there`s nothing like a free lunch :mad:

trisontana

I play a couple of those free on-line lotto games. Almost every day I win two "free" flights or Eurostar tickets. When you look at the terms and conditions you have to also buy 4 nights hotel accommodation to qualify. These rooms are priced at something like £200 a night (when in reality you can probably get the same room via Expedia for £60). So when you add this up plus taxes and "handling fees" you can put together your own package for less using the same hotels. And you can choose which dates you want to travel. So ,as pennyminnow says, there is nothing free in life.

mike_the_bike_2

"If something looks to good to be true, it probably is"

From what I hear the media lid is about to blow on the Daily Express cruise offer which sounds an utter fiasco..If i'm honest I did look at the little chef offer but decided against it coz I thought there was going to be problems

trisontana

Yes , the Express cruise "offer" is going to be featured on Watchdog next week.

kfh54

Eddie, I too am trying to get hold of Little Chef to chase, do you have contact details for the promotion dept, please? Thank you, kfh54

Eddie_M wrote:

Got a call today from Little Chef after we'd finally tracked their promotion department down and asked them to find out what happened to their free flight promotion. Having collected the required receipts and applied in mid-December for a weekend trip to New York we've been told that there's no chance of the requested dates. If you want to go to NYC you have to take 5 nights- all at additional cost of course and at times we don't really want. Loads of gripes about this:
1. The original promotion material made no mention of the very limited choice of dates and availablilty
2. Little Chef failed to get back within the 30 days they stated, leaving it up to us to chase
3. The promotion material gave only one help line number but they could only help with 'filling out the forms'! They promissed to pass our enquiry on but nobody came back.
4. Also thought we could fly from Manchester in the original promo but we were only offered Heathrow (Air France).

Maybe all this delay meant that we had no chance... or is this another 'Hoover' where Little Chef never had a chance of honouring this promotion. I wonder how many weekends in NYC were actually ever on offer?