Our airport departure has changed

jcrooks89

Got an email saying my husband and I's flight from Birmingham airport to Dubrovnik next July has been cancelled by because flights for the 10 night package have been cancelled (booked through Thomson travel agent). Thomson have rescheduled our flight to depart and arrive to Manchester airport instead, but we truly cannot afford to travel from Nottinghamshire to Manchester, pay for parking and possibly pay for an overnight stay at a hotel (We were going to get a lift to and from Birmingham airport free of charge). The only other option Thomson have given us is to extend our stay from 10 nights to 14 nights and remain with Birmingham, but we have to pay an extra £300 and it will be a struggle to get time off work for the extra time. Or we reduce our stay to 7 nights, but with the inbound flight being early in the morning we will be paying about £1800 for 6 whole days in Croatia which seems ridiculous to us. If we cancel the holiday and go somewhere Thomson will keep £500 of our payments. We are absolutely fuming that this has happened and don't know what to do.

alanrowell

Why would Thomson keep £500 of your money - they are the ones who broke the contract therefore you should be able to get a full refund

photome

If you have bought a package from them then you are entitled to a full refund

from their t and c

Major changes to your holiday for which we will pay compensation unless the change is for reasons beyond our control (see 'Important Note - Events Beyond Our Control'), using the scale shown, may include the following changes: a significant change of destination; a change in accommodation to that of a lower category, a change in the time of your departure or return flight by more than 12 hours, a change of UK departure airport (excluding changes between London airports, London, Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations and between Dover/Folkestone ports). A delay to your flight that we need to make within 24 hours before you are due to depart will not be considered a major change unless the delay is for more than 24 hours. These changes are only examples and there may be other significant changes which constitute major changes.

If we tell you about any of these changes after we have confirmed your holiday booking, you may either:
- accept the new arrangements offered by us; or
- accept a replacement holiday from us of equivalent or similar standard and price, at the date of the change, if we are able to offer you one. We may offer you a replacement holiday from another TUI Travel Group company. Should you choose this option the terms and conditions of your holiday will not change and these conditions still apply to your booking; or
- cancel your holiday with us and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

Poppie68

You could book a Manchester Airport hotel for a little over £100 which includes secured parking for the duration of your holiday... transfers to and from the airport are usually included if not it will be a few £ in a taxi. The earliest you book the cheaper it will be.

littlereddevil

They can't keep your money, you will get a full refund

bagand96

Have you spoken to Thomson yet?

My first action would be to ask for them to provide, or reimburse you for parking at Manchester (maybe including a hotel they night before). Price up this before speaking with them so you have an idea what you're asking for. If they so no then push further for it, ask to take it higher and complain.

If you get nowhere with this then as others have said you are entitled to a full refund, by thomsons own T&Cs.

richardw

When your flight is cancelled, EC 261/2004 says you must be offered re-routing from BHX, it's an absolute right.

Caz3121

jcrooks89 wrote: »

Got an email saying my husband and I's flight from Birmingham airport to Dubrovnik next July has been cancelled by because flights for the 10 night package have been cancelled

what were your original dates? were these Monarch flights? (Monarch allow you to book for 10 days no problem on their website - out on a Sat and return on the Tues)

Alan_Bowen

Thomson's flights appear to be their own on Thursdays, there are no Monarch flights on those days. Assuming there are no airline tickets issued yet, EU261 won't help as the contract is just with the operator at this stage and it is not the airline that has cancelled the flights, the operator has, for lack of bookings. I agree with others, take the money and go elsewhere

richardw

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

.....Assuming there are no airline tickets issued yet, EU261 won't help as the contract is just with the operator

Does that mean a TO can do what they like, even when flights and flight numbers are detailed on booking receipts?

Perhaps have a look at other alternatives from BHX.

Alan_Bowen

Richardw, most, if not all operators booking conditions state they reserve the right the cancel the whole holiday up to the point of paying the final balance so the appearance of a flight number on an invoice means very little at all.