Old Thomas Cook travel bonds

teejayw

Hope this is the right branch. I have £450 of old Thomas Cook Travel Bonds. They are red with a face value each of £5 and look a little like currency. On the back, it states...this bond is valid indefinitely... I went to my local thomas cook and they did not know what they were and were not too interested in looking into it. They were in my fathers office so are probably 10-20 years old. Does anyone know anything about them or if they might still be valid?
Thanks in advance

Alice_Walker

My ex used to get these through work, it would be twenty years ago in his case. I don't know if they would still be valid, indefinite doesn't necessarily mean forever. Have you asked on their Facebook page?

teejayw

good idea!!!!

richardw

Are they like these http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Thomas-Cook-Travel-Bonds-95-with-face-value-of-5-each-Total-475-face-value-/191924623748?hash=item2caf995984:g:zuIAAOSwbsBXi0SZ ?

PeacefulWaters

Alice_Walker wrote: »

My ex used to get these through work, it would be twenty years ago in his case. I don't know if they would still be valid, indefinite doesn't necessarily mean forever. Have you asked on their Facebook page?

Well it does.

I'd be quite interested to know how this develops!

Alice_Walker

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Well it does.

I'd be quite interested to know how this develops!

Indefinite means lasting for an indeterminate length of time. A prison sentence can be indefinite, more often than not the prisoner will be released at a date determined in the future. Benefit awards can be indefinite, to be reviewed when the DWP see fit. Many vouchers used to be issued without an expiry date, with the company at a future date giving reasonable notice that they have set an expiry date.

That's not to say that these bonds are not still valid, but on the phrasing given we can't be sure either way.

PeacefulWaters

Alice_Walker wrote: »

Indefinite means lasting for an indeterminate length of time. A prison sentence can be indefinite, more often than not the prisoner will be released at a date determined in the future. Benefit awards can be indefinite, to be reviewed when the DWP see fit. Many vouchers used to be issued without an expiry date, with the company at a future date giving reasonable notice that they have set an expiry date.

That's not to say that these bonds are not still valid, but on the phrasing given we can't be sure either way.

Unlimited.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/indefinite

If Thomas Cook refuse to honour them there's a slam dunk win with an MCO for the OP.

teejayw

Yep, thats them right there in that ebay sale

JezR

Thomas Cook has been sliced and diced over the last 20 years but although at least one of its owners have gone bust the business remained solvent. However, the high street travel shops today are not solely owned by Thomas Cook Group; they are in a joint venture subsidiary with The Co-Operative Group and Central England Co-op.

The name changed at some time from 'Travel Bonds' to 'Worldwide Travel Vouchers' and according to this page these are still exchangeable for holidays booked on the phone or online.

So maybe contact them by phone to verify that the old travel bonds can also be redeemed this way.

teejayw

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. Thought all might like to know how it went.
I tried a post on the Thomas cook facebook page and posted images of the bonds. Still have had no response! So i went on line to the booking live chat chat person. She quickly gave me a customer service phone number to call which got through quickly. they were unable to exactly understand what i had and directed me to go to my local shop to have the serials checked out. I just got back from there and the lady, with her supervisor quickly found the pertinent in house FAQ on their database ...which asked.
Do we still accept the old red travel bonds with the brick logo?
Answer was YES, they still do, i can redeem them in store for holidays and flights. Basically, any physical voucher, bond or certificate issued by Thomas cook currently has no expiry date, however the new credit card/electronic credits and vouchers do.

I must say also that the customer service was friendly and efficient. At no time was there ever anyone trying to slow me down so kudos to Thomas Cook customer service and staff that i have dealt with.
:):):):)