Denied check-in on Thomas Cook flight from Goa

Voyager2002

headpin wrote: »

Not a fan of awkward travel companies, but how are TC supposed to know how the traveller arrived in the country? It may be a silly rule or law but to be honest it is really the travellers responsibiloty to be aware of any restrictions or the like that they may fall foul of. And as indicated elsewhere if you are sensible then you will have suitable Travel Insurance that covers such situations.

I beg to differ...
First issue: while airlines always make it clear that travellers are responsible for obtaining the correct visas and so forth, usually the simplest way to find out about such regulations is to contact the airline. Not with Thomson and Thomas Cook, however, who IMHO are negligent in failing to provide such information. Furthermore, all travel insurance policies exclude losses arising from government regulations and from the actions of official bodies, so this is not an insurable loss.

unforeseen

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I beg to differ...
First issue: while airlines always make it clear that travellers are responsible for obtaining the correct visas and so forth, usually the simplest way to find out about such regulations is to contact the airline. Not with Thomson and Thomas Cook, however, who IMHO are negligent in failing to provide such information. Furthermore, all travel insurance policies exclude losses arising from government regulations and from the actions of official bodies, so this is not an insurable loss.

There have been numerous threads on here where travel company/airline advice has been at odds with the country's own advice and to compound the problem even the FCO don't always get it right.

IronLung

I've responded to Thomas Cook's email refusing me compensation highlighting the fact that at the time of being refused check-in the employee my mother spoke to on the phone in the UK (I contacted her and asked her to call them on my behalf) had no idea of this regulation either as they advised us that "they have to check me in" (referring to the TC reps on the desk). I also informed them how it was extremely difficult to find any official info regarding this regulation anywhere.

Can anyone tell me if there's anyone else I could contact about this situation.. something similar to Watchdog perhaps? I just think it's totally unfair to passengers who end up in this situation and if nothing changes it'll just keep happening.

Voyager2002

IronLung wrote: »

I've responded to Thomas Cook's email refusing me compensation highlighting the fact that at the time of being refused check-in the employee my mother spoke to on the phone in the UK (I contacted her and asked her to call them on my behalf) had no idea of this regulation either as they advised us that "they have to check me in" (referring to the TC reps on the desk). I also informed them how it was extremely difficult to find any official info regarding this regulation anywhere.

Can anyone tell me if there's anyone else I could contact about this situation.. something similar to Watchdog perhaps? I just think it's totally unfair to passengers who end up in this situation and if nothing changes it'll just keep happening.

Have you contacted your insurance company and confirmed whether you were still covered up to your return home? If so, their legal department could help you far more effectively than the likes of a TV show.

I suspect that if this story has a happy ending, it will be a payout from your insurance company,