Planning ahead - in case the volcano continues

vix2000

As I said before, being on a package holiday is the best case scenario. Here is the reply I got on another thread

"That's the big advantage of a package holiday - if it gets cancelled before you depart then you get a full refund or the chance to rebook.

If a problem happens during the trip then once you've checked in at the departure airport then you're in their hands and they have a legal duty to take care of you until they get you back again at the end of the holiday."

Please don't go cancelling package holidays until you've checked. Also don't always believe what the company says, as on another forum some people have been told by the company that they don't have to do anything, but some legal experts on the forum have said that they do legally.

pretzelnut

Just spoke to thomas cook, they were very helpful.

No we're arent covered on the insurance but if our flight is cancelled by the tour operator we are entitled to a full refund. But we wouldnt know that is was cancelled until maybe at the earliest the day before, we couldnt cancel now as we would loose our money, (so if your thinking of cancelling now DONT) which seems a little daft to me as we could book somewhere in the UK now for that week and save a load of hassle. But we have to wait until the day we are due to go to cancel and then we'll probably just sit at home for a week, but it could eb al ot worse i guess.

I also asked what would happen if we were stranded as we werent going to an EU country and she said it didnt matter where we were going we are thomas cooks responsibility and they would look after us - we wouldnt end up sleeping on the beach or rummaging through dustbins to feed ourselves she said.

At present most people stranded are staying in the accomadation they are already in as there is obviously no rush for them to vacate as there are no new guests going in to the hotels.

I mentioned that we were 4* all inclusive and shoud TC find us aterative accomodation in a B&B for example would TC pay food expenses, to which she repled its a case by case basis as there is NO set policy for it as yet, so this might change over the next few days/weeks.

So its looks a little better, we can over the next few weeks save a little extra just in case we have to pay for extra food.

hennypenny_2

Thanks for posting that princesswoo. We will just have to wait to hear from our travel company. Lets just hope it blows itself out between now and then.

Sammy85_2

I would get yourself a credit card anyway hun, either an santander zero or post office card. Both dont make the charges to use abroad like most cards do and they both come with 3 months interest free on purchases, so you wouldnt have to pay the balance off immediately, giving you time to get money together or sort out claims if you did have to use it. Always good to have a backup plan even if you dont use it.

shellsuit

Sammy85 wrote: »

I would get yourself a credit card anyway hun, either an santander zero or post office card. Both dont make the charges to use abroad like most cards do and they both come with 3 months interest free on purchases, so you wouldnt have to pay the balance off immediately, giving you time to get money together or sort out claims if you did have to use it. Always good to have a backup plan even if you dont use it.

And for people who can't get a credit card?

foxy-roxy

vodkachick68 wrote: »

I have just heard on Sky news that this could go on for months! We are due to go to Greece in Aug...yes i know its 4 months away but even so it is worrying. Another thing is that i haven't purchased travel insurance as of yet,i know it my own stupid fault and i flipping wish i had in hindsight. We have booked through Thomas Cook on a package holiday. Do you think its worth me maybe cancelling the holiday? We still owe £1300.

I am going to Dominican Republic end of July and thought about this too as we still have £1000 left to pay, but cancelling it will be the worst thing to do as you will lose all your money that you have paid.
If the airline cancels the flights you will be entitled to a refund so don't cancel whatever you do.
I go my insurance about a month ago thank god, was going to leave it longer but Thomas Cook were badgering me for a copy of the certificate.

KarenBB

I'm really pleased you got through to TC PW so now you have a btter ida of where you stand. Much as you may not want a credit card I agree with the posters that have suggested applying for one now very much as a just in case - you can always cut it up when you come back. 3 Months ineterest free would also give time for an insurance company to make a payment if the worst was to happen. I've got a Nationwide credit card and they don't charge you for transaction in Europe so you'd be ok with that one too in Turkey. If you dod apply for a card you might be better to do it in a branch as you'll have to sign an agreement. If you apply online or on the phone they'll have to post it out to you but in branch it's all signed there and then.

KarenBB

shellsuit wrote: »

And for people who can't get a credit card?

I wish I had an answer to that one. I know it's easy to say get one but no always an option and for some people could end up in all sorts of debt if they did get one. The current situation is unique and people are having to think about things they've never needed to before. If I book a holiday I usually sort the insurance much later but in furure will arrange insurance as soon as I book a holiday.

Boomdocker

I'm another one who has never wanted or needed a credit card in the past but I do have one that I only ever use to take on holiday as a 'just in case'.

Given that you anticipate a possible problem it might be wise to get one if you are able. I would. For those that can't a similar contingency of emergency cash on a pre-paid currency card, take extra cash or leave spare cash with a friend that if needed can do a money transfer if needed. All those options though require the cash upfront but you can still plan ahead if you think you need too.

poorandindenial

I am going to the States in a week and a half, I am pondering whether I might be able to negotiate with the hotel/airline to change the dates so that (if flights are running again) to help them get the stranded people home/accomodate them and use my 'altruism' to see if I can wangle an upgrade (in the same wasy that they sometimes ask for volunteers at the airport to elect to go on the next flight instead of the one they are booked on in exchange for a better seat.