TUI holiday - should I pay balance

something_else

Hi

I booked a TUI holiday to cyrpus for near the end of June and have separate insurance which was all done before this became a pandemic. The holiday was booked a month or so before I got insurance. I have so far paid the deposit via debit card £800 and the final payment is due >£4k at the end of the month. 

I have tried ringing TUI with no luck and have received no response from emails. 

What I want to know is what I should do next. I don't want to lose any of the money but can't see the holiday going ahead. I'm assuming I'm best paying the full amount on credit card and then when it's cancelled due to government reasons TUI will refund me in full? This then means I have credit card protection, atol protection and insurance?

I get the feel atol comes in if TUI go under. TUI should refund if they can't provide holiday for govt reasons or other. And insurance is if we have to pull out at last min due to illness?

Thanks for your help. 

Westin

This same question has been asked quite a few times.   You might wish to look through the forum for similar threads.
Also check through the MSE article.   In particular the sub-titled part, 

"I've booked a trip, but I'm paying for it in instalments. I don't want to go – can I stop paying?"

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=18-Mar-20-50597963-386&utm_campaign=nt-hiya&utm_content=4

something_else

Cheers I had looked but all were different circumstances that I had found. From the link you sent that section suggests not paying is a bad idea (though it could be more clearly written)

Just seen this added to TUI terms and conditions which may help a few out. This would move the final payment date out dependant on when you book I guess but then remove any chance of insurance covering you


We would like to give those due to travel after the 16 April the additional freedom and peace of mind when it comes to travelling in the future, which is why from today we will be offering our travel promise. From 17 March 2020 if you have an existing TUI, Marella Cruises, First Choice or TUI River Cruise package holiday booking travelling on or before 30 June 2020 you can amend for free to any holiday on sale. You can do this up to seven days before your original departure date. Please refer to booking terms and conditions for more information.

Caramac

I am in a similar situation and have changed the holiday for next year. It means I don’t have to pay the balance yet. I was charged £100 for changing it online but decided to pay it and try getting it refunded when it becomes clearer and there is some procedures in place. I was due to pay the balance next week and felt happier changing it before I paid the balance.

Bringe

Hi.
I am in a similar situation. My nephew and his girlfriend have booked to go to Rhodes to get married in september. I have booked with Tui to go to Rhodes in september for the wedding.  So far I have only paid £100 deposit and the next payment of £300 is due on the 26th April (this year)  My question is, should I pay the next payment and hope things improve by september and get to the wedding (if they can get there) or, still pay it and if things don't improve, hope for a full refund from Tui or, just cancell it and try to get my £100 back, which would mean not getting to the wedding if it does go ahead???????
Any Ideas, Help, Support, what to do will be greatly Appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Westin

“I've booked a trip, but I'm paying for it in instalments. I don't want to go – can I stop paying?”

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=18-Mar-20-50597963-386&utm_campaign=nt-hiya&utm_content=4

bagand96

Bringe said:

Hi.
I am in a similar situation. My nephew and his girlfriend have booked to go to Rhodes to get married in september. I have booked with Tui to go to Rhodes in september for the wedding.  So far I have only paid £100 deposit and the next payment of £300 is due on the 26th April (this year)  My question is, should I pay the next payment and hope things improve by september and get to the wedding (if they can get there) or, still pay it and if things don't improve, hope for a full refund from Tui or, just cancell it and try to get my £100 back, which would mean not getting to the wedding if it does go ahead???????
Any Ideas, Help, Support, what to do will be greatly Appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

If you cancel you will lose your deposit, so that £100 is gone.  In fact, the £100 is probably a low deposit, the full deposit is £400 (the £100, plus the next £300).  If you cancel now you will still owe TUI that £300, and they will be well within their rights to seek to recover that from you.

Pay the next instalment, keep your booking in place.  If TUI have to cancel they will have to offer you a refund or voucher or date amendment etc

Bringe

Hi Bagand96
Thanks for your advice. It was actually booked with first choice, but I know first choice and tui are joined at the hip. 
I was reading the small print on the financial details (part of the info I printed out from first choice) and it does say that the £100 I paid was under the "low deposit booking scheme" that was on 2nd of February. and the remaining deposit £300 payable on or before 26th.April.
So the advice you gave me is 100% spot on!!!!
Many Thanks once again.

anticlaus105

Knowing what I do now I would take copies of all the threads where TUI are not refunding as evidence and not pay a penny anymore. TUI have decided contracts and law no longer matter, so why should their customers be bound by them?

Aylesbury_Duck

anticlaus105 said:

Knowing what I do now I would take copies of all the threads where TUI are not refunding as evidence and not pay a penny anymore. TUI have decided contracts and law no longer matter, so why should their customers be bound by them?

Another poster giving out advice to others to renege on their contractual commitment. It's bad advice.  

Same question as I've asked others: Are you prepared to underwrite Bringe's costs if s/he follows your advice and incurs the costs associated with breaking his/her contract?

Bringe, ignore this advice.  This poster has been talking about being in a mob to harass staff in TUI branches.  That gives you an idea of the quality of advice on offer.

soolin

anticlaus105 said:

Knowing what I do now I would take copies of all the threads where TUI are not refunding as evidence and not pay a penny anymore. TUI have decided contracts and law no longer matter, so why should their customers be bound by them?

I’m not sure I follow your logic at all? As has been stated over and over again if you don’t pay your balance when due then you are effectively cancelling the holiday yourself, and will not be entitled to any refund later. If you are happy with that then fine. If however you think that you can refuse to pay and still get the deposit refunded later then I fear you will be disappointed. 

Eventually these companies will have to pay people out Or rebook to the customers requirements , if they don’t then I imagine there will be some sort of class action against them by the end of the year. It doesn’t even need to come to that, people still have cover from cards , depending on what they used to pay, and insurance. However those options won’t be available of a customer voluntarily cancels the holiday by refusing to pay.