Lowcostholidays collapses – your rights as 140,000 hit by travel chaos

hugo15

LCH booked my accommodation with Expedia. Anyone know whether Expedia will have asked for payment from LCH ahead of the reservation date? I have called the hotel twice now and they have said both times it's paid in full. I'm still not 100% convinced but maybe I should stop stressing and believe them Added my contact details to the hotel booking just in case Expedia cancel.

I've tried Expedia but they don't recognise me as I didn't make the booking, LCH did.

kumearn

I booked flights and hotel for Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Total was just over £1200. Flights were with Etihad. I paid 600 which was minimum payment with Amex but couldn't loh on to see my flight. I called Lowcost holidays on Thursday night to ask why. They said I neede to pay the full balance before the flight would actually be secured. I then used my Visa Debit to pay the other £600. When I checked yesterday afternoon the payment was pending from my bank account. I found out about this this morning but the payment has now gone through. called Band of Scotland and they said they can't do anything but to call them back in 15 dqys. I can now see my flight on Etihad website and it says it is confirmed but when I call they won't tell me if it is Ok or not. I have had to send an email to feedback@etihad.ae but have had no reply. The hotel was booked through Lowcost too but they used Tourico, so have sent them an email but no joy.

Two questions. If my flight says confirmed on Etihad website does that mean it is paid for and I am ok to fly? Will my credit card company stump up for the full £1200. I think they may only pay back the ammount I had to pay not the extra I chose to yesterday to confirm the flight.

What a mess. Does anyone else feel like an idiot today?

jonesMUFCforever

kumearn wrote: »

I booked flights and hotel for Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Total was just over £1200. Flights were with Etihad. I paid 600 which was minimum payment with Amex but couldn't loh on to see my flight. I called Lowcost holidays on Thursday night to ask why. They said I neede to pay the full balance before the flight would actually be secured. I then used my Visa Debit to pay the other £600. When I checked yesterday afternoon the payment was pending from my bank account. I found out about this this morning but the payment has now gone through. called Band of Scotland and they said they can't do anything but to call them back in 15 dqys. I can now see my flight on Etihad website and it says it is confirmed but when I call they won't tell me if it is Ok or not. I have had to send an email to feedback@etihad.ae but have had no reply. The hotel was booked through Lowcost too but they used Tourico, so have sent them an email but no joy.

Two questions. If my flight says confirmed on Etihad website does that mean it is paid for and I am ok to fly? Will my credit card company stump up for the full £1200. I think they may only pay back the ammount I had to pay not the extra I chose to yesterday to confirm the flight.

What a mess. Does anyone else feel like an idiot today?

IMO there is hope for the flights.
Flight companies always ask for full cost upon booking so that the fact you can see the flight as confirmed is good news.
I hope so but in future pay using a credit card.

kumearn

Seems strange that most debit card companies seem to be saying they will pay back but Bank of Scotland are not interested. think I have read on here about at least Santander and Royal Bank of Scotland saying they will.

mlg-wn

Helpful website for those affected by the collapse of LowCostHolidays: lowcostholiday dot help - google it

Browntoa

http://lowcostholidays.help/

I assume it's your web site Timothy as only registered today, it's nothing to do with lowcostholidays group

They will try to sell you new flights etc

Duane_Dibley

TonyM19 wrote: »

My travel insurance says my cover for End Supplier Failure is nil on the package I took out. I'm assuming that this particular avenue is closed for claiming anything back from them.

I pay Nationwide £10/month for worldwide cover as one of the benefits on one of my current accounts just for the benefit. This has ESF in it but they refer you to IPP who handle it. Their answerphone number is 0208 776 3752. If you are a Nationwide account holder, leave your details and they will send you a pack in the post.


Sorry yours doesn't have this benefit.

Duane_Dibley

st0ne5ish wrote: »

Has anyone managed to re-book their unpaid room with the hotel? Did you get charged more?

Yes, I got a quote direct from the hotel but found it cheaper through Expedia - even cheaper than the original LCH cost I had paid pre Brexit.

wendylou38

I am trying to lodge my compensation claim with Lowcost Holidays but their website announcement page gives you a link just to the Spanish Government. Does anyone know which department I need on the Spanish government website please?
Also, how do I try and instigate a chargeback onto my visa debit card? I emailed visa but have had no response at all. Is there a number I need to call?
Thanks for the help

Duane_Dibley

JJB1979 wrote: »

Hotel have confirmed that room isn't paid for. They are charging more to rebook (although I will call back on Monday when manager is in).

Hoppa is also now charging double what I paid originally for them to do the same transfer...

Making extra money out of this is pretty low,

At least Santander have said they will refund my debit card transaction up to amount paid so will mitigate loss.

I had 2 emails from Hoppa this morning, one with a 30% discount code LC30 and there is a 25% code on their website anyway. My Hoppa re-boooking was less than the LCH one I lost.


I too spoke to Santander 0800 0510164 (I think - got so many numbers written down), and they said I need proof of LCH administration (just email administrators and use their auto response as proof) and my confirmation booking. They didn't promise reimbursement to me and wouldn't comment on whether a claim would be successful.