Zika and change of booking question

isotonic_uk

Hi

Me and my partner recently booked a holiday to Cuba using the online agent Holiday place.

Whilst it was mentioned to us at time of booking about the Zika virus I made the mistake of accepting the holiday as we are trying for a baby.

We currently have paid a deposit which amounted to the cost of the flights only and we are due to make 2 more payments in due course. The flight is with Thomas cook.

From reading t&c of both agent and flight it looks my options are limited. I have resigned the fact that we won't get a refund, also whilst I have travel insurance as I went out on another trip a few months previously, my wife doesn't but it doesn't look travel insurance will be able to help in this case anyway.

My question is what are our options if we wanted to change destination, as I have already paid for my tickets through agent with Thomas cook would they be willing to change the destination if I was to write a letter?

From reading the Zika section on MSE it seems they dealing with cases on a case by case basis. Whilst my partner isn't pregnant at the moment and as we knew I don't think I have much luck but I would rather lose out on a bit and change destination if it means we have no headache on our shoulders with Zika virus.

There has only been 1 case of Zika in Cuba (at the moment) but it doesn't look the virus is subsiding, it seems to be spreading fairly rapidly even into some areas of US. It may be general media making the problem sound worse than it actually is but we both are certain now we don't want to take any risks.

I know it's a long shot but thought it would be asking?

Many thanks

Voyager2002

It is always worth asking...

leylandsunaddict

Just ring the Holiday Place. Only they can tell you because no one else has access to see what you've booked.

peachyprice

The current advice it to postpone trying for a baby for 8 weeks after your return. Is that a possibility?

Alan_Bowen

It sounds as though you have bought the flight and accommodation separately, if it had been a package holiday you might have been able to transfer to a different destination but if it is a flight only with Thomas Cooks that may be more difficult. Most airlines were initially prepared to allow those who were or might be pregnant to cancel or transfer their booking when Zika first arose but from what you say, you knew of the problem when you booked, so there is no reason, other than their charity, which may be thin on the ground, to allow you to cancel or transfer at this stage.

Have a look at the ATOL Certificate you have and see if it says 'package holiday' or flight plus' in the bottom right hand corner, if it is a package you should be able to change, at a cost, if it is flight plus you may be in more difficulty and then as you have been advised, call The Holiday Place, I think they are the largest operator to Cuba, but have never seen adverts for anywhere else from them but I expect there may be, although they may also be in the Caribbean......

isotonic_uk

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

It sounds as though you have bought the flight and accommodation separately, if it had been a package holiday you might have been able to transfer to a different destination but if it is a flight only with Thomas Cooks that may be more difficult. Most airlines were initially prepared to allow those who were or might be pregnant to cancel or transfer their booking when Zika first arose but from what you say, you knew of the problem when you booked, so there is no reason, other than their charity, which may be thin on the ground, to allow you to cancel or transfer at this stage.

Have a look at the ATOL Certificate you have and see if it says 'package holiday' or flight plus' in the bottom right hand corner, if it is a package you should be able to change, at a cost, if it is flight plus you may be in more difficulty and then as you have been advised, call The Holiday Place, I think they are the largest operator to Cuba, but have never seen adverts for anywhere else from them but I expect there may be, although they may also be in the Caribbean......

It wasn't a package holiday, it was a package we designed ourselves as we wanted twin centre and the reason we chose this particular flight was because it was non-stop whereas their default offers involved a stop over either in Paris or Amsterdam.

What about if I called Thomas cook and asked if its possible before I contact Holiday place? If TC say they can't do anything then I suppose theres not really much that HP can do either.

Thanks

jpsartre

Why not just call the agent? You will need to go through them anyway.

leylandsunaddict

It could still be a package holiday, because The Holiday Place are all about tailor made packages. As Alan asked, what does your Atol certificate say on it?

Why ring TCX when they aren't able to discuss your booking with you? The Holiday Place own that booking. Just ring them.

isotonic_uk

Thanks. I have emailed the agent. I see what he has to say!