first choice - Just when is holiday balance due ?????

cuggie

We have booked with first choice to fly out on 6th August. Paid deposit etc.
wrote on calendar balance due by 11th June, which is 8 weeks prior,
then got a letter from them this morning saying didnt pay on time etc. etc. remaining balance due now .

I checked on the web site and in the back of the latest edition brochure (for this winter coming so I know it's the latest one out), both say balance due within 8 weeks.
At work at mo so do not have to hand the confirmation slip.
Just rung the 'helpline' and they said it can vary, goes by who the holiday company is, seen as we are staying at the exclusive to first choice holiday village, i would have presumed it is first choice, and it states nowhere at all about deposit being due at different times according to who the holiday is through .
We have calculated that we would have the balance a few days before the 11th June, we work on a weekly budget so there is no way we can pay now,

am now waiting for the 'manager' to call back, feels like all the money we have paid already for our holiday could be lost,

are they allowed to print one thing but do another ? we were so looking forward to this holiday, our first all inclusive paid for upfront holiday, (we usually go self catering as its cheaper )

any ideas ??

thanks

kirstyreanne

Maybe if when you speak to the manager you explain the misunderstanding & offer to pay as much of the balance as you can now, and then pay the remaining amount as soon as you have it, but o later than 8 weeks before. I'm assuming that you have the bulk of the money as theres only one month left.

cuggie

Thanks for your reply, we do have about 80 % of the money,
just had the 'manager' on the phone,

apparently they like people to pay 12 weeks before, but you have till 8 weeks,
i asked why the letter is sent out saying the payment is overdue, they said to 'ignore' it and just pay as normal,
they usually send out letters to everyone until they have paid.
Wish they would re-word the letter, even a reminder to pay by .... would have been better than stating we are overdue.

Talk about stressing you out, I def. need a holiday now......!

kirstyreanne

Glad to hear that its all worked out.

Enjoy your holiday!!

Lucie_2

cuggie wrote:

apparently they like people to pay 12 weeks before, but you have till 8 weeks

My understanding is that travel agents get you to pay them 10-12 weeks before departure, but don't pass your money onto the tour operator until 8 weeks before.

All that money sitting in an account for 4 weeks? ..............nice little earner