First Choice Travel refusing full refund of cancelled package holiday

leavold

Hi, I paid First Choice (FC) over £4k for a package holiday to Thailand which they sourced from Hayes & Jarvis (H&J). The holiday was cancelled when the flight was cancelled on Sunday 19 December. FC is saying H&J are responsible for my refund, H&J say I have to sort it out with FC. Anyone got any advice as I'm banging my head against a wall. I have insurance but will be about £300 out of pocket if I go down that route and I do believe that as it was a package holiday I'm entitled to seeding of the total cost of the holiday.

Thanks for your assistance

FOREVER21

Who did you pay? FC?
If so then your contract is with them I would go back to them and suggest they sought it out.:(

keithdc

Sounds like contract was with First Choice.

Don't suppose you paid with credit card??

leavold

Yes I paid FC. I've been in the store most of today and specifically asked who my contract was with. The store manager said H&J. She wouldn't be lying to me would she?

leavold

I paid the deposit by cc but the balance by debit card due to the extortionate credit card fee they charge.

gordikin

How much did you pay by cc?

leavold

£650, do you think I should have a word with my cc company about getting it back? I don't want to complicate the full refund I'm eventually going to get from FC when their CEO gets my email in the morning..

FOREVER21

Have you got house insurance? It might have a legal advice help-line telephone number.
FC will no dout belong to ABTA telephone them for advice.
My bet still is that as FC took money contract is with them.

aheaton46

Probably depends who you paid - you could have paid H&J directly but still booked through a Frist Choice travel agent. Who does the Credit/Debit Card statement say the payment went to?

leavold

I paid everything to FC. I spoke to H&J today and they weren't interested, just referred me back to FC. ABTA only get involved after the complainant has received a 'deadlock' from company which could take months..

aheaton46

In which case your contract is with First Choice. Write to them, the travel agency probably don't have any authority to do anything. State that:
1) your contract was with them
2) The holiday was cancelled
3) Therefore, you are entitled to a refund from them. If they wish to pursure H&J that is there issue, it has nothing to do with you
4) They have 14 days to reply else you will commence action in the small claims court