Thomas Cook Fiasco from Belfast -January 2020

Belfasttraveller

So Thomas Cook have done it again...
We booked a holiday from Belfast International to Tenerife with Thomas Cook to fly out on 10th January 2020 for a week.

About two weeks ago Thomas Cook emailed to state that they were cancelling all flights from then to the end of January 2020 and that we could get a full refund or be transferred to a Ryanair flight in out around that date (without any compensation)

We begrudgingly accepted to be transferred to a Ryanair flight flying out on the 11th January at a later time which meant we lost a day of holiday. We sucked it up and went for that and were just glad to get away

Today....Thomas Cook emailed to say our flight was cancelled AGAIN and that we need to go through the process AGAIN as Ryanair have cancelled all flights from Belfast International in January now also. They offered to put us on a flight going from Dublin but it is a few hundred miles return trip plus parking and expenses. They are not willing to compensate or come to a resolution.

I known alot of these things are outside companies control especially with Brexit, However they should be trying to keep customers, especially with all the recent press. They said they cannot provide any compensation as this will open flood gates for all customers affected..

One bitten twice shy springs to mind. Should I press for the exact reason why the flights are being cancelled or is this common ?

Many thanks :mad:

bagand96

Should I press for the exact reason why the flights are being cancelled or is this common ?

I expect Thomas Cook have made a commercial decision not to operate from Belfast - i.e. not profitable enough.

Its incredibly unfortunate that after arranging replacement flights on another airline for you, that airline have now also decided to stop their flights. I think Ryanair are closing their Tenerife base which is why their flights aren't operating.

I assume Thomas Cook are offering the chance to take a full refund? Might be your best bet and try and find another holiday with someone else.

Westin

I’d agree with bagand96, that it will be simply a commercial decision with winter flights ex BFS being unviable, or basing the aircraft elsewhere is more lucrative.

Very unfortunate for you that you have been caught twice after Ryanair also decided to scale back winter flying. Don’t bother buying a lottery ticket this week.

A refund is probably your best bet then look at options ex DUB. Alternative look at ex MAN/LGW but you will need to factor in getting there and probably overnight accommodation the night before you fly. Don’t expect TC to pay for this.

Really feel sorry for you having this disappointment twice. Perhaps a message that you are not meant to go to Tenerife.

Grumpelstiltskin

Are Jet2 flying to Tenerife from Belfast next year?

waamo

EasyJet and Jet2 are currently showing as flying on those dates from Belfast

CardinalWolsey

Belfasttraveller wrote: »

I known alot of these things are outside companies control especially with Brexit,

The only factor outside of a company's control at the moment likely to cause this is the ongoing 737 MAX issue (for TC, not Ryan Air). But more probably a scaling back on routings for commercial reasons (e.g. load factors not high enough, so route not profitable). It won't be anything directly to do with Brexit.

Voyager2002

Belfasttraveller wrote: »

Should I press for the exact reason why the flights are being cancelled or is this common ?

No matter what the reason, knowing it is not going to help you.

Belfasttraveller

So I spoke to Thomas Cook this morning to go with the only option I see possible which is for a full refund as we have saw another holiday with Jet2 flying from Belfast in January. There are only a few rooms left...

Asked the advisor, after being cut off twice and holding for over 50 minutes into my lunch break, how long the refund would take

7-10 days that's right, 7-10 days in the age of faster payments etc. So not only am I having to wait another 7-10 days for the refund to come through for the holiday price I saw to most likely go up or be lost but I was also told that I cannot make a complaint over the phone and the only way to do so is by writing in, WRITING in in 2019.

I am beyond perplexed. I would recommend that you avoid this group:mad::mad::mad:

bradders1983

Belfasttraveller wrote: »

So I spoke to Thomas Cook this morning to go with the only option I see possible which is for a full refund as we have saw another holiday with Jet2 flying from Belfast in January. There are only a few rooms left...

Asked the advisor, after being cut off twice and holding for over 50 minutes into my lunch break, how long the refund would take

7-10 days that's right, 7-10 days in the age of faster payments etc. So not only am I having to wait another 7-10 days for the refund to come through for the holiday price I saw to most likely go up or be lost but I was also told that I cannot make a complaint over the phone and the only way to do so is by writing in, WRITING in in 2019.

I am beyond perplexed. I would recommend that you avoid this group:mad::mad::mad:

Why? I have never had an issue with Thomas Cook, ever. Experiences vary.

As for the Jet2 price, cant you just pay the deposit to secure it ? January is more than 12 weeks away so the full balance wont be due for at least 3 weeks on it surely.

Complaining is pointless, it doesnt change their flight plans and it wont change Ryanairs either. Dont know what you think it will achieve tbh.

bagand96

I know it seems crazy, and to you another kick in the teeth, but it’s completely common when companies refund to cards for it to take a few days.

As bradders said, you could book with Jet2 today for £60 per person deposit.... and the balance wouldn’t be due until November giving you plenty of time to wait for your refund from Thomas Cook. They also don’t charge to put it on a credit card.

photome

I know i am just repeating but the refund time is just how long it takes.


no point complaining , flight schedules change all the time.


book the other holiday now to secure the price ( it may go down though if you wait)