MSE News: Egypt crisis: your travel rights

robbashford

We completed our Nile Cruise, but were repatriated before our flight to Cairo for 3 nights. We were to return to Luxor for 4 nights before returning to London.

Cosmos have offered to refund the accommodation element but no offer on the lost flight. Any ideas about our rights or chances of getting some more compensation?

Endora_2

Found an alternative holiday destination in Morocco (Agadir) for nearly the same amount as what we've paid to go on holiday to Luxor for in March, seems a better deal as we get to go all inclusive whereas the Luxor holiday is only B&B. I found the holiday/resort on TC's website but as it is a First Choice Holiday and is part of the Thomsons group and not TC they probably will not be able to amend our holiday to this or even offer us a full refund at this point, will have to wait until tomorrow when the Head Office/Customer Services will be open to clarify. I can't see why they can't give the refund as surely the unrest in Egypt will not be at an end within the next 6 weeks? I also put in a search for a holiday at date we are due to go but for anywhere, any location, any board basis and flying from any UK airport and the only TC holidays it suggested were Antalya in Turkey which I think would not be warm enough in March, Fuerteventura which again doesn't seem to be very warm that time of year (not as warm as Egypt or Morocco) and the final suggestion was TUNISIA of all places!! Not much choice then I thought so was wondering if we could get our credit card company to claim back our money, we only used it for one of the payments towards our Luxor holiday but it was for £100 (it wasn't the deposit/downpayment) though. Although it is a Thomas Cook Visa credit card!! If this is still not possible it looks like TC may make us wait until perhaps only a few days before our holiday before they take the decision to cancel whereby we would be entitled to a full refund but would not really give us much of a chance to book elsewhere in such a short space of time.:(

Endora_2

My husband & I are due to travel to Luxor 23rd March having booked (and paid in full) through Thomas Cook, we can be offered an alternative location for the same dates if we want (but I only think that is because we had a letter a couple of weeks ago stating that there is building & refurb work going on a that particular complex), if we want a full refund though we have to wait for them to cancel which could mean waiting til just a few days before we're due to go? Surely they don't think that in 6 weeks time everything will be back to normal, we're also flying on a TC airline which I believe have been cancelled at this moment in time anyway. Have found an alternative holiday in Morocco for a slighty cheaper price during the same time but as it's with another tour op we may end up losing it that choice if we're made to wait til the last minute!! Paid for £100 of the holiday on a TC Visa credit card, was wondering if credit card company can sort out claiming refund for us?

billabong141

debbiedevon wrote: »

I have been reading this thread with interest. I still feel stuck in no mans land and could do with some advice if possible please!

I have a family holiday booked with my family and my niece and her family (4 adults and 6 children) to go to Titanic Spa & Beach in Hurghada on 21st February for 12 nights. We paid by credit card - would this guarantee us a refund - I can't seem to find any informatin on what credit covers cover in this situation?

It seems as if the riots are mainly in Cairo (which I think is an 8 hour drive away) but unsure what the knock on effect will be - half of me wants to sit and wait and the other half wants to just go somewhere else. Does anyone have any suggestions on other destinations for winter sun? Unfortunately money is an issue - so more expensive destinations are out for us (this holiday we have just paid off at £1400)!

Thank you for your advice.

Ring Thomson Head Office and ask to change. I rang, expressed my concerns, stood my ground and asked to speak to a manager. They came back to me and said I could change the holiday to a different destination with no extra charges. (My daughter was due to fly on 1st Feb to Sharm, she changed to Morroco and flew out on 3rd Feb). Good Luck and don't take no for an answer.

Stoffy

Hi,

Another update, Hotels4u are allowing to transfer the money I have paid to another hotel elsewhere.

I'm sure they are doing the same for everyone if they choose not to travel to Egypt.

needan

Hi,
I am booked to fly out to Luxor for a Nile cruise on the 21st Feb. Flying with Monarch, they have so far cancelled flights up until the 14th. I guess we will have to wait a bit longer to hear if our holiday is off.
Our travel agent has told us that if the trip is cancelled by the tour operator (Anatolian Sky) he will be able to refund our moneys at once or rebook us on another holiday. Poss to Canaries.
I assume as the FCO advice is not to travel to Luxor we will not be going.

username1972

I'm due to go to Sharm on 17th February and I'm not concerned. For those looking at alternatives I would think that Egypt would be safer than most other North African/Arab countries in that region. If it has kicked off in Tunisia/Algeria/Egypt/Jordan etc then surely it's all pretty unstable?

Whilst the FCO are continuing to state it's safe then it's safe. If you believed everything you saw on the news you'd never leave home... I'm not minimising the political situation but Egypt needs tourists and our dosh.

IGH

We were on a Nile Cruise with Thompsons having flown out on the 25th Jan 2011 before trouble started. Holiday cancelled by Thompsons after one week of the two week holiday. Are we due any refund from Thompsons. Holiday cost £2450 and Thompsons are offering us £466.

Endora_2

Thomas Cook has finally let us change our holiday but I think that it was only due to the fact that they had sent out a letter stating that building & refurb work was being carried out at the resort we were originally due to go to in Luxor (Maritim Jolie Ville on Kings Island), we have now changed to the Maritim Jolie Ville Royal Peninsula in Sharm el Sheikh and paid an extra £92 to go from B&B (in the Luxor resort) to all inclusive which aint bad, plus they managed to transfer our extra legroom seat bookings on the both outward and inward flights, we did have to amend the dates slightly so instead of going on the 23rd March we are now going on the 24th March. Going by the reviews on this place on Trip Advisor it seems a very good resort.:T

Kefi

On 25th Jan I paid £300 deposit on a holiday to Cairo 3 nights with 4 night cruise from Luxor for May dep. This is with BalesWorldwide through the Cooperative Travel. The trouble erupted in Egypt that evening. The Cooperative Travel have delayed my full payment date to Feb 25th. What do I do. Do I pay the balance and hope the trip goes. Neither Bales or Coop can tell me when the trip will be cancelled, or if it be. I.e They might cancel the night before the hols or 14 days in advance. If I dont pay the balance I will lose my £300.00. Bales do not have another trip for me as they are all too expensive so I cant' transfer. But I do want to go on holiday, so I dont mind if the Coop keep the £300.00 for me to book something else. WHat is the situation in May if the Foreign Office are still stating that travel to Cairo and Luxor should be avoided and Bales say that they are still operating this trip:think:. Can I demand a refund from Bales, if I am not offered it. The flights are with Egypt Air and I can't see a national airline cancelling their schedule. I am thinking should I just wave goodbye to £300.00 or get myself in further to £2,200. Please help you my darling savvy lot_pale_