SUN4U & Huntswood CAA Team

monkspot

Help I'm at my wits end!! I have been pursuing a claim for extra expenses incurred after the collapse of SUN4U Holidays in August 2010. My claim is lodged with Huntswood CAA Team, based at Abbey Gardens, Abbey St, READING, RG1 3BA.

I booked a holiday for my ten year old son and I to Damia's Apts, Corfu in May 2010, flying with Thomson. One day before I was due to travel I received a telephone call from the CAA saying the tour operator had gone bust. I travelled to the airport and spoke to a woman at the Thomson desk who informed me that as the flights were paid for they would honour them. On arrival in Corfu, I hired a car, (at my own expense), to get to our resort. Upon arrival at the apartment complex I was told that our room had been cancelled and let to someone else. The owner kindly put us up for the night (it was 10pm), and said she would sort something out for the rest of the week. She was as good as her word and after paying 490 euros we had a room for a week. I paid in the knowledge I would be able to reclaim this expense as Sun4U were ABTA bonded. Then the fun began....

I completed Huntswood's generic claim form, and supplied details of all extra expenses incurred, (car hire & accommodation). This was supported by bank statements, (paid on debit card) & receipts where possible. Over the past 9 months Huntswood have constantly requested more and more information which I am unable to supply! I have sent everything I have to them as evidence and it is still not enough! In May I was told I needed details from the apartment owner about how many people stayed, duration of stay, type of room etc. I have emailed the owner four times, (twice in Greek), to no avail. I am reaching the end of my tether with this claim, and feel very strongly that Huntswood are doing their utmost to find a reason to reject it. It is only 490 euros, but I am not in a position to lose that kind of money. Any assistance you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Westin

The CAA ATOL claim process would normally only refund you for the holiday that you 'couldn't' take following the collapse of the tour operator.

If you had been stranded overseas when the travel company went bust then they may also have reimbursed and other out of pocket expenses should the original service provider not subsequently supply them. For example if the accommodation owner was to throw you out of your room and you ended up paying again to prevent this, or paying again for a taxi transfer back to the airport.

It seems in your case to choose to continue with your holiday having been told that the tour operator had gone bankrupt and to that end I think you will be very lucky to start receiving extra compensation for paying the accommodation provider again. A fund for your holiday - yes. Extra compensation to pay out for new services as you had not already travelled - no.