ADP refund for freechild place.

Hersetta

We booked a holiday last April with First choice departing in May 2015. We received a free child place.


First choice are refunding the APD for a paid child place which is £71 but have stated that they are not refunding for a free child place as nothing was paid.


However, their T's & C's on their website clearly state that you must pay APD for a free child place


"Free Kids’ Places are only available in selected accommodation, and only where the child is sharing a room, apartment or villa with two full–fare–paying adults. They are available for children up to 12 years inclusive for hotels and up to 16 years inclusive for self-catering - unless we say otherwise in the property details. You’ll need to pay a deposit but we refund this when you pay for your holiday in full. Our free places don’t include flexible dining, meal supplements, insurance, in–flight meals or any other extras. Plus, you need to pay aviation insurance, the security charge and Air Passenger Duty, plus the ’Select Your Seat’ option for the child if you need this"


This seems fairly clear to me and therefore if it is payable it should be refunded. The problem is I guess is FC do not provide a detailed breakdown of your holiday cost - it is just all lumped into the holiday 'base price' to which they add any selected extras such as late check out, select a seat etc.


Anyone know who I should approach - is there a tour operators ombudsman as FC have just responded saying they do not give refunds for free child places as nothing was paid when this contradicts their own website?


Thanks

jo78

I'm sorry I don't know the answer but I'm intrested to find out because we are in the same boat and they have only refunded us one lot too x

Archergirl

Do you have a breakdown of costs on your invoice?

Hersetta

No, First choice don't provide a breakdown of your holiday cost - just a total.


They have so far resisted my request to provide it.

Archergirl

Ask for a breakdown of costs, can't see how they can refuse.

richardw

No such thing as a "free" child place, it's just marketing.

They can't get out of paying ADP so it's included in the total cost of the holiday, so ask for a refund of the amount you understand it is. If it's £71 for the other child on the same holiday, ask for that amount.

Hersetta

I have.....they have gone away to consult their legal team.

callum9999

richardw wrote: »

No such thing as a "free" child place, it's just marketing.

They can't get out of paying ADP so it's included in the total cost of the holiday, so ask for a refund of the amount you understand it is. If it's £71 for the other child on the same holiday, ask for that amount.

Though when the legal team send customer services their legal opinion - which will most likely be that they are under no obligation to refund it for anyone (unless their T&Cs state they are?), I'm not sure a request for a £71 refund is going to get them anywhere.

richardw

callum9999 wrote: »

Though when the legal team send customer services their legal opinion - which will most likely be that they are under no obligation to refund it for anyone (unless their T&Cs state they are?), I'm not sure a request for a £71 refund is going to get them anywhere.

We don't yet have a 'no' as their unreasonable response.

callum9999

richardw wrote: »

We don't yet have a 'no' as their unreasonable response.

Well as the legal stance is that no refund is necessary, I don't see how that will make customer services change their mind. I guess you could hope their legal team is inept and thinks that refunds must be given - no harm in trying!

richardw

callum9999 wrote: »

.....as the legal stance is that no refund is necessary.....

There's no legal response yet.