Disabled travel abroad

CUTESMILE

Hi can anyone give me some advice or point me in the right direction to what the law/rights of disabled travellers abroad with tour operators i.e. Thomas Cook etc, regarding if a person can't board a coach so would need a private transfer etc.

Done this in the past but apparently new things have come in with Thomas Cook and was offered a taxi which would cost us an additional £148 for 2 people and they would knock £9.90 per person both ways. We've had a set amount knocked off previously and arranged our own transfer, we googled whilst with travel agent and got a basic taxi transfer for £50 return, so feel a bit shocked by them wanting that much more money.

Not sure whether there is some regulations regarding this.

tomtontom

They need to make reasonable adjustments for you, but what is reasonable is open to interpretation. They will have a designated transfer operator at the resort, they have offered you a private transfer with them, albeit an expensive one, and in doing so they have discharged their duty. They are under no obligation to shop around to get you a cheaper deal.

If you wish to make your own way to the resort then just let the rep know upon arrival so they do not wait for you.

Stevie_Palimo

Agree with the above they have offered something albeit not what you are happy with and there stance will be you have been accommodated here so like it or lump it so to speak.


Failing that shop elsewhere as many a place would want your business and if you explain everything from the outset to a few travel agents I am sure you will get a better deal.

PompeyPete

The info is on the Thomas Cook website...

http://www.thomascookairlines.com/AccommodationAssistance.aspx

There's loads of info on all the tour operators websites.

CUTESMILE

Thanks peeps

stephb34

CUTESMILE wrote: »

Hi can anyone give me some advice or point me in the right direction to what the law/rights of disabled travellers abroad with tour operators i.e. Thomas Cook etc, regarding if a person can't board a coach so would need a private transfer etc.

Done this in the past but apparently new things have come in with Thomas Cook and was offered a taxi which would cost us an additional £148 for 2 people and they would knock £9.90 per person both ways. We've had a set amount knocked off previously and arranged our own transfer, we googled whilst with travel agent and got a basic taxi transfer for £50 return, so feel a bit shocked by them wanting that much more money.

Not sure whether there is some regulations regarding this.

Enable holiday company specialise in disabled travel but I think you will find their holidays will be a lot more expensive than Thomas cook.
Regarding the taxi transfer you will find any taxi transfer Thomas Cook offer their customers will be dearer than if you took a taxi transfer from the airport so they aren't discriminating because of disabilities. If you booked a basic taxi transfer would that be suitable for you or do you need a specially adapted taxi? In the past you must have booked a late deal where you have to pay for coach transfers to get the transfer price knocked off, because if you book a TC holiday more than 10 weeks in advance the transfers are included in the price for free so you wouldn't get any money towards the adapted taxi.

CUTESMILE

We usually book a year in advance to make sure their is a an adapted room and we usually manage with a mini bus sort of transfer as I help other half into it.

They've said previously £52 knocked off holiday then we pay for the transfer or Thomson paid for transfer one way and we paid the other, but charging so much more as they did say that the transfer was £43 per person each way but knocked the £9.90 off, so originally they wanted £186 return to add onto our holiday and then knock off £39.60, when you can get VIP return transfer for £80, it just feels like they're making money out of people.

stephb34

You've lost me now is it a Thomas cook holiday or a Thomson holiday as they operate on different rules? If you can get the transfer you want yourself I would do it.

littlereddevil

Just book your own transfer then you are sorted

CUTESMILE

We've travelled with both.

Booked our own now for just £86 return with free wifi and drinks included