Help! How do I get my holiday re-instated?

slowboat2china

I am posting this in the hope that someone can give us advice on how to get out of a mess.!

Back in november 2011 I booked a holiday through First Choice to h10 rubicon palace, lanzarote for my family of four (wife and 2 children) for the grand total of £2300. Between then and jan 2012 I paid two instalments totalling £700. !

I was then emailed a final balance reminder on 11/02/12 for the remainder of £1600 due on 19/2/12. Here's where the problem started - I filed the reminder and forgot about it. !Then on 12/03/12 I remembered that the payment was due and thought that it would be fine as the 8 week deadline hadn't happened. ! !!

When I called to pay I was informed that the booking had been cancelled due to non-payment. I was informed that the booking was cancelled on 06/03/12 !and that the £700 was completely lost. ! !First choice would not accept the remainder of the balance and stated there was nothing that could be done. !All they said was that I had received a text message giving me 24 hrs to resolve the situation on 6/3/12 and that I hadn't responded. As soon as I told this I checked my phone and found the text but can honestly say I have never seen it before and it must have been sent whilst the kids were playing on my phone.!

I fully admit that missing the deadlines was an error on my part but hoped they would at least try and help.!

Can first choice cancel a booking without making a call to me as I don't think that a text shows that they tried hard enough to get hold of me???

The other disappointing comment made was that I couldn't have any money back as the £700 was being used to pay for flights the weren't being used even though I want to use them!!!!

Please someone help me get my family holiday back.!

slowboat2china

I have proof that I have the outstanding balance and that I always have had it.

s_b

terms here
seem quite easy to understand too
http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/fcsun/page/booking/tandc.page?lang=en&accommInvSys=FIRST_CHOICE&flightInvSys=FIRST_CHOICE&depDate=2009-09-10

ellay864

OP I'm confused about your comment on the 8 week deadline. Were you told payment was due 8 weeks before you go? Because on their terms that sb has posted it says 12 weeks and is very clearly stated, it's not hidden away.
Unless you have anything that states 8 weeks, in which case you may be able to say you'd written that date down and worked to that, I don't see how you can complain. As for them trying to get hold of you, you would have had terms when you booked, you got an e-mail reminder. If you can't take care of your own holiday arrangements why should it be up to them to spend their time chasing you?

slowboat2china

I have previously booked all of my holidays at a travel agent (Co-op) who have always asked for payment 8 weeks prior to departure and wrongly i presumed it was the same. This, however, was booked online and needs paying for 12 weeks before departure.

As i said before i am fully aware that missing the deadline wa smy fault but i hoped that First Coice would at least try and help even if it meant paying some sort of admin fee to re-instate it.

stephb34

Thats the problem with internet bookings the onus is on yourself to remember when to pay balances, download tickets and input passport information, you normally get more help and leeway with a high street travel agent as they don't want to lose the booking.
The problem with reinstating your holiday is, it would have gone back on sale immediately it was cancelled so maybe no longer available.

slowboat2china

Thats the other annoying thing, there is still availability for the holiday as I rang First Choice later the same day acting as a different customer they told me there is not an issue with availability as the departure date is 13/5/12 (low season).

Bob_the_Saver

You forgot to pay £1600..... easily done !!!!
They did remind you, why didn't you just pay it then?

melb

what about maybe going into a First Choice shop on the high street say i've been an idiot please help me and throw yourself on their mercy. it's probably much easier for someone to quote terms and conditions over the phone rather than when they've got someone distraught sitting in front of them. Accept it's entirely your own fault and hope they take pity on you! good luck.

stephb34

melb wrote: »

what about maybe going into a First Choice shop on the high street say i've been an idiot please help me and throw yourself on their mercy. it's probably much easier for someone to quote terms and conditions over the phone rather than when they've got someone distraught sitting in front of them. Accept it's entirely your own fault and hope they take pity on you! good luck.

I don't think that will work the shops have nothing to do with the internet arm of the company at all, probably the only option is to contact the managing director of First choice and plead with their good nature but i wouldnt hold your breath

budgetflyer

Airlines and Tour Opps. They just don't want to help anyone nowadays.

I don't have an answer but I can guarantee, I would be writing to them advising that I was joining the mass exodus of ex customers who no longer wish to do business with them.