Will Olympic Holidays overpayment be covered if worst happens?

kuepper

Just had notification of cancellation of package hol with Olympic Holidays. I amended a holiday I'd paid for earlier in the year and booked a much cheaper one before Coronavirus was an issue and this resulted in me having overpaid on 'my account' and I was due a refund. I was initially told it would take 14 days to reimburse me but then everything blew up re the virus and despite reminders I heard nothing. The Refund Credit Note is for an amount that is more than my booking as it includes the money I am owed. As I understand it if the worst happened my ATOL cert would only cover the cost of the holiday I'd booked and not the money I'm owed. Is that right and what best to do?

Life__Goes__On

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kuepper said:

Just had notification of cancellation of package hol with Olympic Holidays. I amended a holiday I'd paid for earlier in the year and booked a much cheaper one before Coronavirus was an issue and this resulted in me having overpaid on 'my account' and I was due a refund. I was initially told it would take 14 days to reimburse me but then everything blew up re the virus and despite reminders I heard nothing. The Refund Credit Note is for an amount that is more than my booking as it includes the money I am owed. As I understand it if the worst happened my ATOL cert would only cover the cost of the holiday I'd booked and not the money I'm owed. Is that right and what best to do?

Won't the RCN match the ATOL cert of tour first booking?

kuepper

Life__Goes__On said:

"

kuepper said:

Just had notification of cancellation of package hol with Olympic Holidays. I amended a holiday I'd paid for earlier in the year and booked a much cheaper one before Coronavirus was an issue and this resulted in me having overpaid on 'my account' and I was due a refund. I was initially told it would take 14 days to reimburse me but then everything blew up re the virus and despite reminders I heard nothing. The Refund Credit Note is for an amount that is more than my booking as it includes the money I am owed. As I understand it if the worst happened my ATOL cert would only cover the cost of the holiday I'd booked and not the money I'm owed. Is that right and what best to do?

Won't the RCN match the ATOL cert of tour first booking?

the ATOL certificate for first booking has different dates to the one for the amended booking. The final amended booking details show the holiday cost at a figure X (less than I'd paid) and also shows how much I'd paid (X+Y).The RCN itself hasn't got any reference to ATOL certificate but in the email it says "The Refund Credit Note is for the full amount paid for the original holiday booking and allows the customer to redeem this against any future bookings.". That's OK for Olympic Holidays to say but I can't see ATOL covers me for money I'd paid in addition to the cost of the cancelled holiday

kuepper

The email from Olympic below. I very much doubt I'll be making another booking by 31st July as I won't be able to buy suitable insurance so not sure if I should just reply now saying I don't want the RCN and I want the cost of the holiday refunded plus the additional money I'd overpaid.

Dear Sirs/Madam, 

We hope this email finds you well.    

We write in regards to the above-named customer and their upcoming holiday with us.  Please be advised that we’re regrettably having to cancel this booking as a result of travel restrictions imposed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as well as the local authorities abroad.  As you will no doubt be aware, with the current limitations on travel around the world, arising from the outbreak of Covid-19, we are obliged to follow the FCO's advice and therefore as a reputable tour operator we have no option but to cancel the holiday in the present circumstances.  We apologize for the inconvenience caused.    

With this being a package holiday, the good news is that we are able to offer a Refund Credit Note in the full amount of the holiday.  This money is protected under the customer's existing ATOL certificate, as well as under our ABTA bonding.   

Please find attached a copy of the refund credit note for your records.  The customer will already have a copy of their ATOL certificate, and this continues to be valid.  A cancellation invoice has also been sent regarding the above booking in a separate email.  The conditions of the refund credit note are set out below: -  

Refund Credit Note terms for Agent  

• The Refund Credit Note is for the full amount paid for the original holiday booking and allows the customer to redeem this against any future bookings.  The agent strictly agrees that when redeeming this Credit Note for a future booking, Olympic Holidays reserve the right to only transfer the monies received from the original booking.  Therefore, the Refund Credit Note is net commission for the travel agent.    

• This Refund Credit Note is protected under the customer's original ATOL certificate and our ABTA bonding up until 31 July 2020 and therefore any future bookings must be made by this date.    

• To redeem the Refund Credit Note, any future booking must be made via the same travel agent and the monies cannot be transferred for use via any other agent/business or even to be used directly with Olympic Holidays.    

• Any future bookings using this Refund Credit Note must be made via our Reservations call centre on 0208 492 6868 please choose option 2 to make a new booking.  Alternatively, you can make a booking directly online, and send an email to accounts@olympicholidays.com . Please make sure the subject line is transfer funds and include the ‘old’ and new booking references. 

• The Refund Credit Note can be used towards future bookings with a departure on or before 31 October 2021.    

• If the cost of the new holiday is more than the Refund Credit Note then the customer will be obliged to pay any additional amount owed and commission will be calculated accordingly.    

• If the cost of the new holiday is less than the amount of the Refund Credit Note then the customer can look to put the outstanding refund credit towards another holiday with us at any time, again via the same travel agent.     

• Should the current travel restrictions still be in place on 31st July 2020 we will review the question of a refund. 
  

Kind regards

Customer Services

Tel no: 0208 492 6799

Mon - Fri 0900 - 1630hrs

Life__Goes__On

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kuepper said:

The email from Olympic below. I very much doubt I'll be making another booking by 31st July as I won't be able to buy suitable insurance so not sure if I should just reply now saying I don't want the RCN and I want the cost of the holiday refunded plus the additional money I'd overpaid.

If you don't reply asking for a full cash refund, they are unlikely to take action to refund you