Thomsons Cancelled my holiday

pufling

Hi

We had a holiday booked with Thomsons, to a specific hotel which is still there to book direct.

However Thomsons have advised that they have now decided there not going there & I can either have refund or they will move me somewhere of their choice (which I dont like & isnt even any match for our original booking) or I can pay more & go elsewhere

Can they do this? I made this booking because I chose that hotel as we have been before & it holds special memories

Where do I stand?

jhe

hi pufling, when were you due to travel?

pufling

20th March 2012

malkie76

Yes, they can cancel, and only have to offer a holiday if equal or better value, or a full refund.
There's plenty of time for you to book something else.

If you want a particular hotel then book independently.

jhe

can only tell you that in my case we were a lot closer to travel than yourself. thomson tried to tell me they would offer another hotel which was totally an unacceptable alternative and they wanted extra money for it. trading standards advised me that, when i booked and had holiday confirmed we had entered into a contract. thomsons were obliged to offer me a hotel of at least equal standard at no extra cost or i could find an alternative and send thomsons the bill.
as i said we were a lot nearer to departure date than yourself, but trading standards should advise you of you rights. good luck hope you get it sorted out.

pufling

thanks - what would you mean by equal?

equal value? facilities? location? stars?

jhe

in my case trading standards told me.any alternative should be of at least the same standard, if you booked 4* you should be offered at least a 4* with the same facilities, acceptable location to you and no extra cost. thomsons tried telling me different things until i got in touch with trading standards, then they backed down. it is not just what thomsons want to offer its more what you will be willing to accept, but not sure were you stand with your holiday being 7 month away.

pufling

thats a great help, I have put all my points in writing to them.... Its the same in stars, but not in style, location or facilities. Its far smaller, Lacks facilities & is about 100km north of where we chose.

Also its the same price on AI as we paid for HB...... Which rings massive alarm bells.

Did you actually have to get trading standards involved or just speak to them?

jhe

i phoned trading standards, they were very helpful, advised me what my rights were. i had booked my holiday months previous when prices were lower,then it got to several months before departure and prices were sky high, thomsons tried to charge me those prices,
have thomson give you an explanation why they are dropping the hotel you have booked? are the reviews good for it on tripadvisor?

elisebutt65

Why don't you change to flight only & book the hotel yourself using the extra that Thomsons will refund you?

jhe

just to add pufling, i have a holiday booked for next march with thomsons. we booked it a couple of months ago. just checked the price to book now and it has dropped a couple of hundred pounds!!!
have you checked alternative suitable hotels in the area you want to travel? maybe if you price them up you might gain by cancelling and rebooking yourself.