Thomas Cook - what you need to know - MSE News

sovsov1357

Hi,

Mother in law booked flights only for family, her and sister in law, for Xmas through Thomas cook airline. Family has insurance, mother in law and sister in law didn’t, I put sister in law as a guest on my family insurance(through Nationwide Flex Account) for that week when we travel, mother in law got annual travel insurance, both done only last Friday 19th...do you think they will get money for flights back either through the late insurance or chargeback on debit card? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

glider3560

RedheadsRule wrote: »

Dammit, I never thought about that! So, we MIGHT be able to fly out there, but may NOT be able to check in?!?!?

I read online a short while ago, that anyone who is due to stay at Les Orangers now are being moved to other hotels instead. Here's hoping now that there will be no overbookings at these hotels. And who's to say that more hotels won't also decide to refuse to let folk leave.

My first holiday in 5 years. Last 2 years I've lost both my parents, my very good friend to suicide and also my dog - oh, and my daughter and her family have booked this holiday for my 60th birthday _party_ (the day after we're due to arrive there). :wall:

I'd suggest seeing what happens tonight first. It's likely they'll either fold, or get a bailout from somewhere in the next few hours.

If they go out of business, that's when ATOL and Section 75 protection comes in.

If they stay in business, I can see a lot of their suppliers will want paying upfront.

mattyprice4004

This is entirely unconfirmed, but a friend of a friend has been told not to go into work tomorrow - he's cabin crew based at Manchester.

Also sporadic reports of guests being told TC have gone out of business and thus their booking is invalid - but that could be hoteliers panicking about not being paid.

Exercise caution when using unconfirmed reports such as mine to make changes to plans - but if you absolutely MUST make a flight, it may be worth considering alternative forms of transport or booking with another provider.

Above all, my thoughts are with the crews and other staff of Thomas Cook.

bagand96

RedheadsRule wrote: »

Thank you for your kind words of support there, bagand96. Just as an FYI - the holiday was booked long before there was even a sniff of trouble with Thomas Cook.

It’s not that I’m not supportive. I mean no disrespect. I did also read your subsequent post and I hope you are recovering from what sounds like a very difficult time in your life.

That said sometimes I think people need to put a little more thought into their holiday arrangements. The situation in the Tunisian hotel yesterday proves that point. It might be a great value break in the sun but the first sign of trouble and people can find themselves in very difficult situations... in countries that are very different to home and the EU.

Holidays are a luxury that we are all privileged to enjoy. I get very much that your holiday must mean a lot to you. But if it’s a package then you are protected and you will see your money again.

The Thomas cook employees tonight are wondering if they can pay next month the mortgage or rent. And it’s no fault of their own.

TonyM19

up-north-eng wrote: »

Supposing they go bust, when would you book a replacement holiday? As soon as it’s announced or should I wait to receive a confirmation by email? It’s a Thomas Cook package holiday so I don’t want to be throwing another 6 grand around until I’m definitely sure we’re not going

A valid question. If they go into admin tonight, would you have to wait for some sort of communication for the adminstrators or could you just go ahead and book alternative flights? How did this all work out when Monarch went under?

Dentoned

Thomas Cook have gone off skyscanner for the route I’m going on, but Condor are still there be still for sale?! I have an MT flight code not a DE. I wish we could just find out.

up-north-eng

TonyM19 wrote: »

A valid question. If they go into admin tonight, would you have to wait for some sort of communication for the adminstrators or could you just go ahead and book alternative flights? How did this all work out when Monarch went under?

Yep, we fly on the 2nd for a Disney package and I’ve found a similar one. I just don’t want to book that and find out our original is still going ahead. That would be 7k down the drain

Alan_Bowen

If and again it is an if, TC go into administration and I am sorry to say I think that is now almost certain, the CAA who administer the ATOL system will have a live website (thomascook.caa.co.uk ) available almost immediately which will confirm the exact position. I would expect no more TC flights to depart from the UK with immediate effect and the rescue flights will operate as close to the original time as possible.

Depending on the numbers travelling they may combine flights, possibly Birmingham and Manchester for example, but they arrange coach transfers so you will always end up back where you started. I am aware that a considerable number of planes have been on stand by and the government have said they aim to avoid anyone being stranded. However, they also said the rules may be different for those on ATOL protected packages and those who just bought a flight on TC airlines on its own, but I have no idea what the difference may be.

For those who paid cash or by direct debit who have no CC protection there will be a claim form on the website for you to download and complete, read it carefully and make sure you submit all the documentation asked for.

Finally, if the worst comes to the worst, please spare a thought to the 9000 in the UK who may have lost their jobs, including some who have spent hours giving great advice on this forum.

If you booked through the travel agency chain, please check your documentation, not everything they sold was to be provided by their tour operation, they also sold 70 or so other operators whose holidays will continue as planned.

You may have also booked with an entirely different company, including some major online agents who combined TC flights with accommodation. Those people will have no claim against the failure of TC, you must contact the company you booked with to arrange an alternative flight or a full refund for your entire holiday

And to all involved, good luck

Sami_B

I go to Disney Florida in 3 weeks. I have booked with TC but on Atol cert states Netflights. I am flying with Virgin. Will the package still be honoured? I have spent £4k on park tickets I paid on debit card very worried am insured but not end supplier failure. I have travel disruption could I claim on that?

Alan_Bowen

Sami B your holiday should continue exactly as booked, you only used TC as a travel agent, your contract is with Netflights assuming the accommodation and flights etc are all shown on the ATOL Certificate