Flexible trips / Thomas Cook Price match

33ana33

Booked a package holiday in Thomas Cook. The agent organised it through Flexible Trips (Thomas Cook Retail Ltd). When I got home I found the same holiday for £300 less. EXACTLY the same.

As the holiday cost £1342 ish, I thought £300 was a substantial difference. AND Flexible trips reckon this already included a £200 discount! I contacted the manager in Thomas Cook and they said they could not give any discount as the packages are bought by them in advance. I don't understand how my easyjet flight (which formed part of the package) could have been bought in advance. The accomodation therefore must have been the reason for the difference, but even at that, it would then be much more expensive than any other site which advertises this accommodation.

Can anyone advise if I have any grounds for appeal or do I just suck it up and enjoy the holiday? Thanks.

ferf1223

suck it up and enjoy the holiday...and next time reasearch pricing before committing to buy something - hindsight is 20/20 of course.

stephb34

Did you find the same holiday by packaging it together yourself, it will be the flights mainly thats the difference. If you booked it direct with easyjet the flights would be cheaper as your DIY, flexible trips the middle man adds some on as no one works for free. Your flights of course will include checking in and luggage, when you priced it did you add these in the cost. Yes its cost you more but its atol and abta protected and if something goes wrong your travel agent will sort it for you, instead of you being left with individual components that arent much use to you on their own. If this isn't a late deal you will have been able to pay a deposit only instead of paying for the flights in full as you would have had to do if you'd DIY. Yes you've paid more but you've got security and theres nothing you can do about it so just enjoy your hol.

33ana33

Yes - had decided the same myself. Suck it up and enjoy! Life's too short to fuss!

ferff123 .... Just the luck of the draw. For the last 5 years I've booked my own holidays, so will know to do the same again next time.

Stephb34 ..... I priced exact same flight with Easyjet with baggage etc as flexible trips included, so don't see that the flight could be the difference. Surely they can't pre-book the easyjet flight? Paid in full as we go in 6 weeks. I normally pay by visa so have the security from that. Can't see the benefit of booking through an agent, especially if their cut is an additional 22%.

Hope everyone managing to get away this year, during the credit crunch, has an excellent holiday.