additional costs after booking and paying online

mrspatel

I have just booked and paid online for a flight on the southalltravel website and they have emailed me to demand an additional £33 as they said the price was not guaranteed - although they have been showing this price for the last 3 weeks on their website - they have threatened to cancel the booking if I dont pay the additional amount, however under Trading Standards and ASA, I understood that they must honour the price booked and paid for online - especially as its not my fault if they have the wrong price stated in their online booking engine. The flights were on Emirates to India in Nov, returning Feb. They have threatened to cancel my booking if I dont pay the additional £33 on top of the £561 I have already paid - what can I do? - Can you help please? Distressed Mrs P.

bcl999

Don't know for sure but it is more than likely they can withdraw from the contract by refunding you, which leaves you in the position you were in before the contract existed which is usually all that is required under contract law. (I'm not sure what advice from Trading Standards & ASA you have had.) They have told you immediately of the price difference so you can't argue that flights are much moe expensive to rebook now rather than when you originally booked, etc. Have you tried bargaining with them as in "split the difference"?

Can you get a better deal elsewhere? If so, let them cancel and refund or perhaps give them details of the better fare and ask if they will match.

It's annoying, I know, but I don't think there is much else you can do- either pay the extra or let them cancel.