Thomson holiday price, dramatic reduction

dave_hendy

Can we do anything about the dramatic decrease in price of our holiday since we booked on Jan 7th 2017! We booked our weeks holiday to Riu Palace Madeira flying from Gatwick on 17th March after researching hotels and flights that suited us. This holiday was slightly over our budget but as the hotel had such good reviews and the flights were at times that suited us we decided to pay the extra. This morning I went back on to the page on my ipad to read the latest reviews and to see what people were saying regarding the weather, hotel etc and noticed the low price on the right hand side of the screen, I did not believe what I was seeing and thought it must be for different details but having refreshed the screen and checked it was for the same times, board etc I was horrified to see where we had paid £1622.32 minus £28 for booking our seats and it is now £939.30, that is £655.02 less than we paid!! Whilst I can understand slight variances in price due to currency and fuel prices etc, I can not see how you can justify this difference?


We have emailed and phoned Thomson and their response is: 'Thank you for your email about your holiday.

I?m sorry to learn of your disappointment about the cost of your holiday.

I?d like to explain that ever-changing market trends have resulted in Thomson & First Choice introducing a more flexible approach to the pricing of our holidays.

The various Departments at our Head Office continually monitor sales of our holidays and competitors prices, and based on this information they may make adjustments to our holiday prices when they feel that it is commercially appropriate to do so.

Customers who reserve their holiday early have the benefit of the widest choice of availability, as well as a guarantee that we?ll not increase their holiday costs if brochure prices later rise with demand. Full details regarding such increases can be found in Section 2 of Our Agreement, which is printed at the back of all our brochures and online. However, where we have considered it to be appropriate to offer a reduction on the brochure or online price after it has been booked, refunds cannot be given.

We trust hope that this has now given an explanation, and although we're unable to reduce your holiday costs, we thank you for taking the opportunity for choosing to travel with us, and hope you go on to have a lovely holiday'


Is there anything we can do??


Thanks
Dave

London50

In a word NO you agreed the price and overall were happy at that time and I am sure that if it had been a price reversal you would not be emailing tto offer to pay the extra.

sandsy

You entered a contract at a given price and that is the price you must pay.

It's quite normal for holiday prices to fluctuate. In particular, tour operators often reduce the price closer to the holiday date to fill up planes and accommodation. It's a chance you take. Book early and guarantee the accommodation and flight times you want - but in doing so, you effectively leave yourself open to the chance that prices will fall. It's no different to buying something in a shop and then subsequently the price goes down.

Your only alternative is to investigate what cancellation penalties would be payable if you cancelled and rebooked.

phatbear

Unless thomson have a price guarantee theres nowt you can do about it.

I know its a cliche but it still stand true but.......if the holiday had increased would you mind them contacting you for some more money?

sheramber

If the cost had gone up would you have been happy to pay the extra?

You bought a holiday at a price that you were prepared to pay.

You could have waited until now to book but if you had there may not have been any availability.

photome

Can I join in.

If the price had gone up would you be offering to pay the extra?

My golden rule is never check the price after booking

jpsartre

I'm honestly surprised at how often this question gets asked. Do people expect refunds if the TV or computer they bought go on sale at a later stage?

waamo

You have the holiday you actually wanted. You could book late for a reduced price but run the risk of not getting the exact holiday you really want.

You pay a premium for the comfort and security of having exactly what you want.

leylandsunaddict

Nothing you can do. You booked at a price you were happy to pay. Like all holidays, flights etc the prices fluctuate based on many factors. You want the reduction if the price decreases, but you wouldn't want to pay more if the price increased. You can't have it both ways.


You secured the hotel, dates and flights you wanted. Another time try leaving it until near the departure date. You might be lucky and get what you want at a cheaper price. On the other hand you could find there is no availability or that the price has increased. It's your choice.

daveyjp

Its also worth pricing up a DIY trip to compare.

Parents have just done this for the same week in Madeira. £700 for both of them for a week, flights £180, hotel £520. Brochure price was £1300.

dave_hendy

Guessed that might be the case. I went on to read the latest reviews as when we booked most of the reviews were for Christmas, as soon as I went on page the price stood out as it was so much cheaper! Ok that's the way it is but over a certain amount unless there is a big change in currency you should get something back as it is not likely to change that much in the opposite direction.