ADVICE re cancellation because of ash cloud

gunner_girl

Any advice or info would be very much appreciated -- we booked a hotel and flight deal through Lastminute.com and of course. Flight was cancelled because of the ash cloud. So the question is where do we stand re: getting our money back.
- I've tried my travel insurance and they say its not listed as what is covered in the policy (which is primarily things like buglary of house, redundancy, jury duty ) -- which ticked me off since I paid alot on this insurance because I had to buy special insurance which would cover pre-existant medical condition.
- I am going to see if easyjet will refund ... but it was a package holiday and it is not clear from the information from Lastminute what the cost of the flight is .... it's just a total price for the flight and hotel.
- Lastminute.com gives mix messages on their conditions ... they say they are primarily and agent for other operators BUT there is nothing in the trip information they sent us which indicates WHO that travel agent might be ... so not sure whether Lastminute is the one who will refund or not????
We have emailed lastminute.com ... but have not received an answer. Tried calling but could not get through.
- Usually we book travel on our credit card ... but as luck would have it we had problems with the credit card on this particular booking so we used debit (LAST TIME that will happen!!!)

So what are our rights .... travel insurance say they won't pay. Unsure what to claim from Easyjet because of the package deal ... and not sure what Lastminute.com's responsibilities are -- can anyone give us a sense of what our rights might be or where else we can find out this informatoin?

Thanks

Marie

dzug1

IF it was actually a package deal then lastminute are responsible for refunding you everything.

If not, then they are responsible for paying you back refunds from their suppliers. The plane fare should be no problem - the hotel depends on the deal they have with the hotel.

Your credit card would have been no good anyway - it comes into play when the supplier goes bust or breaches their own T&C - but if their T&C say no refund the card can't help.

vigilaire

I am in a similar position but I've booked my flight direct with BMI baby and the hotel through Lastminute.

In case I do not fly on Sunday due to the ongoing situation I wanted to know where I stood with regard to a refund for the hotel.

In a call to the LM helpline this morning ( which I recorded ) I was told I would be eligable to a full refund at no cost so long as I cancelled before midday on the day before arrival. They took all my details to make sure I qualified.

Whether this is right I know not, the loss would be about £200 which though significant isn't too serious in the scheme of things.

Hope this helps. BTW LM's landline number is on 'say no to 0870'.

gunner_girl

Thanks so much for the replies so far.

Marie

sunflowersuffolk

I've booked through Sunshine Holidays for a flight and hotel, not a package. I think the Thomsons flight can be refunded or changed, but not very hopeful about getting a refund or change of date on accomodation.

I am waiting for Sunshine to get back to me, but they are just the agent I think, the room is with Lo Cost Beds and I' ve heard they aren't giving any refunds. Does anyone know otherwise please?

Some companies seem much more helpful than others. I thought I was doing ok using an ABTA agent, but now think I'm going to lose £350 + car park. In the FAQs Sunshine say dates can be changed at a small charge. However when I read the T's & C's, because I'm only a week from holiday, seems I get nothing back. I KNOW I should have read them before I booked, but thought being ABTA they were ok. An expensive lesson.

If anyone has any helpful ideas I'd be grateful.