First Choice - low deposit offer - becomes a large deposit when you cancel

bagand96

From the First Choice website on the payment page:


When you click the "Important low deposit information" link, it takes you to the following link https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/low-deposit?_ga=2.241904966.59070009.1585325261-351813528.1585325260  where it is all explained very clearly.  In addition to that you accepted the T&Cs, where it is explained again.

I think it would be risky to pay no more and assume it will be forgotten.  TUI would be entitled to invoice you for the rest of the deposit, and then try and enforce the contract.  Yes they are exceptionally busy right now, but it doesn't mean they couldn't in the future.

Aylesbury_Duck

SSBS1969 said:

You are right.  It is not made clear enough.  We are in the same boat.  I always read things very thoroughly and did not see that the next "instalment" was actually the rest of the deposit.  On the confirmation of the holiday, it says that we have paid under the low deposit scheme in very small print, but it does not explain what this means or how the deposit is broken down.  

I'm afraid that if you signed up to something without understanding your obligations, you have to accept some of the blame.  As others have pointed out, the information is very clearly available under a suitably highlighted link.  Unless you can prove that none of that information was available at the time of purchase, I can't see that you have a case I'm afraid.

Westin

SSBS1969 said:

You are right.  It is not made clear enough.  We are in the same boat.  I always read things very thoroughly and did not see that the next "instalment" was actually the rest of the deposit.  On the confirmation of the holiday, it says that we have paid under the low deposit scheme in very small print, but it does not explain what this means or how the deposit is broken down.  

Digging out my TUI booking confirmation for my holiday in May in the payment section it states -
"*As you have paid less than the deposit under the low deposit booking scheme the remaining deposit will be due on cancellation or the next payment date."
Seems clear.

Browntoa

If you don't pay I would fully expect TUI to chase the debt . You run the risk of trashing your credit score on a point of principle.

I would make the required payments as requested to make sure that they in return have to at some point either have to refund in full or , more likely , issue a voucher for use against future travel .  That is their legal responsibility on their side of the contract.

I have holidays booked and paid for , I expect to book more in the future once this is over . I'm 100% happy to move to new dates or accept vouchers for use against future bookings. 

Anthem_2

Aylesbury_Duck said:

SSBS1969 said:

You are right.  It is not made clear enough.  We are in the same boat.  I always read things very thoroughly and did not see that the next "instalment" was actually the rest of the deposit.  On the confirmation of the holiday, it says that we have paid under the low deposit scheme in very small print, but it does not explain what this means or how the deposit is broken down.  

I'm afraid that if you signed up to something without understanding your obligations, you have to accept some of the blame.  As others have pointed out, the information is very clearly available under a suitably highlighted link.  Unless you can prove that none of that information was available at the time of purchase, I can't see that you have a case I'm afraid.

I agree - i'm sure I, like most people, happily paid up thinking of a cold beer in the sun and rather than what would happen in the remote possibility that i would need to cancel.
My only point that remains is that nowhere is it clear what the actual deposit amount is.
Its not stated as being the 2nd instalment, rather alluded to that it would be due x weeks later. IMO it should be clearly stated in the breakdown that is sent with booking confirmation that the 1st payment is actually the remaining deposit amount. 
An expensive lesson learned unless FC are open to negotiation when all this hopefully clears.

bradders1983

Given this is costing them millions I doubt they are going to be very quick to write debts off that easily.

homercopy1

i booked a holiday for 6 people last november for this september with first choice,  unfortunately one of the party had a stroke  and is unable to travel and her husband too. i can't get in touch with first choice/tui on the phone so i took them off the booking online. they took off the discount we had received for booking early,  changed the room prices and now instead of paying just over £9k for 6 of us for the outstanding balace they want over £13k for 4 of us. i could'nt see any way of changing the rooms online and if i cancel the holiday they want £1200 which is all of the deposit we have paid. final payment is due in june so if i can't get hold of someone on the phone to try to explain the situation we will be £1200 down,  which i think is a rip off. the holiday is still on offer on the website and would cost less to cancel and rebook than pay the rip off cost.

Sooler

Anthem_2 said:

My only point that remains is that nowhere is it clear what the actual deposit amount is.

here

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/low-deposit

£200 or £250 depending on destination