Any help appreciated

ittakes2

To cut a long story short.......

We booked our hol in Mar 07 to fly Aug 07. We paid in full last week (11wks pre hol) and rec our confirmation yesterday. We noticed our flights had been changed. We had booked day flights and now they have been changed to horrible night flights! One of our family needed day flights for various reasons and we wanted them which is why we booked well in advance. I know there is small print etc, etc, etc but does anyone have any ideas/suggestions as to how to approach the problem when we call in tomorrow?????

Thanks
D.

paulinespens

visit https://www.holidaytruths.co.uk

I think if flight times have been changed by more then 12 hours its classed as a major change. But this site is very helpful with complaints etc.

ittakes2

Thanks for that paulinespens (I love your name-by the way!!).

It looks as if there's very little we can do, but reading the web site you suggested, there seems to be an awful lot of people in the same boat as us. As individuals we can do nothing.........

bagand96

paulines pens is correct. They are covered in their terms and conditions to move flights within 12 hours of your original flight time. If it is within 12 hours then I'm afraid I don't think there is much you can do.

By all means call them and explain you are not happy etc etc, you paid for day flights as they were needed etc etc. You may get your flight supplements back as good will gesture, and if they don't offer then ask!

If the change is more than 12 hours then I believe it becomes a major change, and you are entitled to something, refer to the excellent site above in that case.

ittakes2

Thanks - we called into the travel agents today and spoke to the manager. He hid behind clauses and terms & conditions needless to say. The time difference was 11hrs 10min how convenient for them! We tried to get other flights times but he was very reluctant to budge, he then offered us free pre-bookable seats --wow! We stressed the point why did we book it with them and not book it ourselves online because if there were any problems they could help sort them out, and any company worth their salt would help when problems occur etc etc. He searched for the same hol with day flights and found them (but for more money), we left him trying to see what he could sort out about the extra cost(which we are not willing to pay). He said he would get back in touch tomorrow. I know now we aren't due anything but there's no harm in trying.......

Once again thanks for your help

Engadine

The fact that the airline changed your flight times is not the manager of your travel agency's fault. He won't have been happy about it either as it causes problems for him.

Flight time changes happen all the time at this time of year, when brochures etc are printed and information loaded online and on viewdata, flight times are only provisional, it states in T&Cs that they will be confirmed on your tickets.

It is unlikely that the manager will find anything at the same price as the prices will have changed since you booked. He won't stand the extra cost as it is not the agency's fault, the best offer you might get from them is going 50/50 on the cost but that is only a slight possibility, comes down to cost.

It is really annoying when this happens especially when you have particular reasons for booking day flights. I work in travel and the same has happened to me.

You never know he might have managed to sort out something for you, hope you get something sorted

bagand96

It is true that it isn't actually the travel agents fault the flights have been changed, it will be the airline/tour operator. But you are a travel agent's customer, so he should so his best for you. He should be on the phone to the tour operator.

The other option is for you to ring up your tour operator direct and speak to them, as it is basically their fault. If you have no joy with your travel agent try this.

ittakes2

Thanks for your advice. It's like I said to the manager "just because it happens all the time to lots of people doesn't make it right" and he and all the other managers, area managers etc should be complaining and relaying what their customers are saying. Hey but when it all comes down to it I'm still going on my hols and I've got to be thankful for that, looking at this site makes me realise there are people out there in a worse situation than me!*!*

mickyd21

Engadine wrote: »

The fact that the airline changed your flight times is not the manager of your travel agency's fault. He won't have been happy about it either as it causes problems for him.

Flight time changes happen all the time at this time of year, when brochures etc are printed and information loaded online and on viewdata, flight times are only provisional, it states in T&Cs that they will be confirmed on your tickets.

It is unlikely that the manager will find anything at the same price as the prices will have changed since you booked. He won't stand the extra cost as it is not the agency's fault, the best offer you might get from them is going 50/50 on the cost but that is only a slight possibility, comes down to cost.

It is really annoying when this happens especially when you have particular reasons for booking day flights. I work in travel and the same has happened to me.

You never know he might have managed to sort out something for you, hope you get something sorted

Have to agree. Sorry at the end of the day if its in there T+C's then the unfort' have the right to do so

budgetflyer

A flight change of 11 hrs from day time to nightime is a major change as far as Im concerned, who cares what the t&cs say and although its not the TAs fault, they were quite happy to pick up the commission for the booking so Id suggest they deal with it.If they cant deal with it ask for your money back. If they refuse, tell them youll take them to court to get your money back.
Tour opps regularly charge supplements for daytime flights anyway. You will probably have paid more for something you now arent getting

mickyd21

You say who cares what the terms and conditions say but they are there for a reason. A major change is over 12 hours, the passenger or customer should take the time to read these. There is no point of taking it through the courts as you have no leg to stand on ! Sorry to be harsh