FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: Volcano ash from Iceland hits UK flight plans

sammytree

thetravelfairy wrote: »

If your flight is cancelled by the airline they should either offer you a alternative flight date or canx free of charge, at least that's what we are finding with our clients (travel agent)....I don't know how expedia work

Thanks for the reply. You are right. Finally I find their updated refund policy on their website.

thetravelfairy

Risinfromthegutter wrote: »

Changing the dates of the hotel, from this week to next week (hopefully). £25 per person (party of 3). They also want to charge me £20 per person for amending the transfers (the transfers cost £38.80 return for the 3 of us initially).

I know I might sound a bit 'whiney' but I just wanna go on the holiday I booked albeit a week later. I know the volcano isnt their fault, but its not mine either. If their were some costs involved for them, I wouldn't mind so much, but I cant see where they are, the hotel has rooms available, the hotel hasn't been paid for this week (i enquired about such), I informed the transfer company that I would not make yesterdays teatime transfer on Saturday night, as well as the fact that the transfer company is owned by the travel agent so presumably there is no cost there. I just wanna be treated fairly, and when I think I am not een (like in this scenario) I would like to think I could have my voice heard (by the agent) but it feels like I cant. Only worsened by the fact that they will not discuss such on the phone and on average its taking 3-4 days to get a response by email.

sorry for the rant

I quite understand your 'rant', we as travel agents hate these companies who don't give their all to try and work something out for their clients, we are doing our upmost to help all our clients those due to travel and those stuck abroad but it's in the lap of the gods depending on which tour operator sectors have been booked with, some such as Thomas Cook, Thomson etc are pulling out all the stops to help clients where as others I'm afraid aren't big enough companies to stand losses and would go under from costs incurred by this disaster....

In your case I've looked at the sun4u website and they state their admin charges for changes in the booking conditions, this is something that a lot of online travel agents do now, we as a small local agent don't go down that route because customer service is upmost in this competitive market. I thinkg in the circimstances...which are not you wanting to change dates that they should be waivering this charge! I think the reason the hotel haven't received the money yet is because the hotel may have been booked through a third party...if this is the case then try and find out with company it is and what their conditions are. My sister-in-law works for octupsustravel and they are finding that some hotels are being resonable and letting clients canx or change free of charge whereas other hotels are being pigs about it all.
I hope this helps

FH_Brit

Risin - Their ATOL number is 9251 and their ABTA is N121X and I suggest you complain to ATOL and ABTA - follow the links above and look for the "complaints" link.

I have checked and they are still members of both organizations.

Do it now, the longer you leave it will just delay action.

want3d

hey all

prob silly question but here goes, just been on jet2 site and they say next flight available from belfast to tenerife is friday 30th.

now does that mean that the flight my friends were due to be on dated friday the 23rd isnt going?

apt

Not necessarily. It could be because the flight is fully booked.

want3d

also should have said, they have keys to villa and we are supposed to be meeting them there but also copied this from mic oleary statement

“We presently hope to resume our full scheduled flight operations (subject only to ATC restrictions and weather forecasts) by 1300hrs on Friday 23rd April

now, we are supposed to fly out with ryanair on friday morning, doesnt look like that is going to be going now

want3d

suppose, would be good if they could put a bit more info on their site, its pitiful compared to ryanairs

thetravelfairy

Risinfromthegutter wrote: »

The company is Sun 4U Direct www.sun4udirect.com . Its been a shambles from the start to be honest, but I wasn't bothered about the lack of confirmation/communication, I got to the bottom of things myself. But now I stand to either lose my money or to have to fork out a not inconsiderable sum to attempt to have the holiday I have already essentially paid for, I am wanting to have something done, if I cant save myself at least I could prevent others from the shabby treatment.

I shall follow you advice it is hugely appreciated. Thank you.

x

It sounds like yours wasn't a traditional package say all components done throught Thomson so it won't be covered on ABTA, I'm unsure whether you are ATOL bonded looking at the t&C's there are a few differnt options to select when booking did you pay extra for the ATOL bond, ussually when we do components seperatly there is a charge for the ATOL bond, we don't book components together without it but then again we don't use low cost airlines for this reason, it's all got really silly with all this dynamic packaging...people want to save money (naturally) but it's not clear to them when booking what they are and aren't covered for....we make sure our clients understand it before booking.

lesley777

hi, i see that you say the tour operator has to give a refund on package holidays....we were due to fly to majorca today, they gave a new flight for tomorrow,which has just been cancelled.
my holiday is(was)with media travel, i have just read the small print and it says we get nothing if it is an act of god(so to speak)...can anyone help me on how we stand please. my insurance does not cover this.
thank you
lesley

thetravelfairy

lesley777 wrote: »

hi, i see that you say the tour operator has to give a refund on package holidays....we were due to fly to majorca today, they gave a new flight for tomorrow,which has just been cancelled.
my holiday is(was)with media travel, i have just read the small print and it says we get nothing if it is an act of god(so to speak)...can anyone help me on how we stand please. my insurance does not cover this.
thank you
lesley

Depends whether it is a package with a tour operator, thomson,thomas cook etc they are giving full refund on cancelled holidays (if they cancel them not you)