Help with cancelling/amending charter flight

MeeNorr

Hi,

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me with some advice regarding a charter flight booking I've made half an hour ago please.

I was on the Monarch airlines website trying to book a flight from London Gatwick to Fuerteventura for 22nd June 2011 returning on 29th June. I put the dates in the search section and left the box unticked that said are you flexible on dates as we're not. It gave a list of flights available with Avro who it says is their charter airline partner. The times it gave on the first flight on the list suited us and so I paid by credit card (over £470). I stupidly didn't notice until I'd paid that the flights are for the 8th June returning on the 22nd June! Having gone back and done a search again it gives a list of different dates over June and July none of which are the dates we need.

Having read the terms it says that it will cost 60% of the total cost to cancel the flights. Amending them won't be an option because the dates we need aren't on the list. I realise that I've been stupid and should have noticed that the dates weren't the correct ones but having not ticked the 'flexible on dates' option feel so cross.

Is there anything I can do about this as I can't afford to pay 60% of those flights plus new ones on the correct dates. Can my credit card company (Halifax) help at all?

Avro aren't open until tomorrow morning but was hoping someone may have some suggestions/advice first.

Is paying the 60% cancellation charge the only option? Any advice would be very grateful.

Many Thanks

HXDave

are the flights ZB flight numbers, or are they MON flight numbers?

If they are ZB flight numbers, try calling Monarch Airlines direct (although i admit, might be a little too late now due to the time). They may be able to assist you directly. If they are MON flight numbers, you may have a bit more leeway as they will be classed as charter flights, as opposed to low cost scheduled flights.

However, booking with a local travel agent would have avoided all this confusion to start off with. Yes, they may be a little more expensive, but at least they know what they are doing!

HXDave

MeeNorr

Thanks for the reply.

The reference number is a UN number. It's all a bit confusing as I've had a confirmation email from Avro and now had one from Monarch as well. I'm going to phone them in a minute to see what they say.

I've found other flights with Avro on the dates we need them but from Birmingham which I'd be happy to go with if they let me change them as opposed to cancelling the whole thing.

It was a genuine mistake and hoping they'll be able to change them without the 60% fee as it's not like I've just changed my mind. I'm hoping that if I'm polite and nice (as I always am!) that they'll want to help me. I've booked loads of things online over the years and never used a travel agent.