When on package deal & flight is cancelled what then happens?

guineapig

We are due to fly on a Thomas cook package to Majorca next saturday and currently there are many spanish airports closed due to the volcanic ash cloud.

If we were to be affected this next week, at what stage do the company let you bail and get a refund?

The reason I ask is that we can't afford to get stranded and I would rather not have the holiday and get my money back than get there and get stuck.

If the flight is cancelled can you get something from check in to say that/get a claim form?

Basically can someone(a travel agent maybe or other person who has been in this situation) tell me the mechanics of how this would work?

Do you actually HAVE to go to the airport EVEN if you KNOW there are no flights?

Thanks in advance

vodkachick68

Hiya We are due to go to Rhodes in August and i rung thomas cook and asked that if they cancelled my holiday due to the ash (technically it could still be problematic) would i get a refund? She assured me that if Thomas Cook cancel the flights then i would be entitled to a full refund or i may re-book an alternative date. If I decided that i didn't want to go then i would not be entitled to a refund. I'm not that concerned if we get stuck out there as i have booked a package holiday and Thomas Cook would have to provide accomodation,food etc.

master_of_puppets

vodkachick68 wrote: »

Hiya We are due to go to Rhodes in August and i rung thomas cook and asked that if they cancelled my holiday due to the ash (technically it could still be problematic) would i get a refund? She assured me that if Thomas Cook cancel the flights then i would be entitled to a full refund or i may re-book an alternative date. If I decided that i didn't want to go then i would not be entitled to a refund. I'm not that concerned if we get stuck out there as i have booked a package holiday and Thomas Cook would have to provide accomodation,food etc.

hope your employer is sympathetic with you if you do get stuck, and pay your wages for your rent/mortgage/bills ect

bagand96

Being on a package holiday is probably the best option. The tour operator has a duty to look after you if your return flight cannot operate. This will involve accomodation and food. There will also be reps in resort, and usually notice boards in hotels etc so you should be updated.

They will also have to get you home. Obviously this will be subject to flights being able to operate etc, but while scheduled airlines can cancel and give the "next available" flight (which may be days, even weeks later) the tour operator will more than likely have a more robust repatriation programme.

However you won't be able to cancel the holiday on the off chance it may be disrupted due to volcanic ash. If volcanic ash means the outboud cannot operate you will have the option to rebook or take a refund. If there is volcanic ash disruption in the days before your holiday I would advise contacting the tour operator or looking at their website for advice on whether to travel to the airport or not.

master_of_puppets

vodkachick68 wrote: »

Hiya We are due to go to Rhodes in August and i rung thomas cook and asked that if they cancelled my holiday due to the ash (technically it could still be problematic) would i get a refund? She assured me that if Thomas Cook cancel the flights then i would be entitled to a full refund or i may re-book an alternative date. If I decided that i didn't want to go then i would not be entitled to a refund. I'm not that concerned if we get stuck out there as i have booked a package holiday and Thomas Cook would have to provide accomodation,food etc.

hope your employer is sympathetic with you if you do get stuck, and pay your wages for your rent/mortgage/bills ect

stephb34

If the flight is shown as delayed you have to go the airport for the normal check in time unless told otherwise. If the out bound flight is canx you dont go to the airport as your package is terminated and you will either have your money back or rebooked something else. You cant cancel without losing your deposit or if its within 56 days of departure you will lose more money the closer the holiday is.

vodkachick68

master_of_puppets wrote: »

hope your employer is sympathetic with you if you do get stuck, and pay your wages for your rent/mortgage/bills ect

I work in a school so will be off anyway. I think it depends on who the employer is. Some may pay you,or some may make you take it as holiday. Unfortunately its just one of those things that is neither your own fault or the employers.

missma

Much the same situation here. Supposed to fly on friday from Belfast to Tenerife for a week. Hard to know if we will get or not considering there have been problems in last few days on both sides. Least is a package deal with Thomson we have booked, though I do not know how much that will really help. Would prefer not to loose a grand.

busiscoming2

This volcanic ash thing is turning into a ruddy nightmare isn't it? I have a big family holiday booked, last year to Turkey in July. I booked flights and accomodation separately and am in a real dilemma about what to do. I am worried the flight going will be cancelled and then I think, it looks as though I will loose the cost of the accomodation. If we get there then at least we can have the holiday and the airline will help with the cost of the extra stay.
I would even pay extra to have a travel insurnce that covered this!

missma

We have travel insurance we took with Thomsons and since then have annual Travel Insurance with a Halifax bank account. Who knows know what they cover. Would just love it to blow away lol

master_of_puppets

missma wrote: »

We have travel insurance we took with Thomsons and since then have annual Travel Insurance with a Halifax bank account. Who knows know what they cover. Would just love it to blow away lol

we are insured with them, they are making a good will payout, as we had our 2 week holiday extended by 2 weeks! we are putting our claim together at the moment. i won't hold my breath for anything more then £100.