Should I pay £4,000 balance of August TUI holiday tomorrow?

manchester_tim

So I've followed all the advice about holidays/payments to date. But as we get near August, I'm concerned that we actually may be able to fly to the Canaries! If I knew we couldn't, I'd pay the balance of the holiday and claim back. But, we wouldn't want to fly in August and then have to quarantine for 2 weeks... if FCO advice says that flights can still occur (and Canaries are accepting visitors). If we cancel, we lose the £800 deposit. Why can't FCO just suspend all non-essential travel until the end of the Summer at least!  :'( 

Browntoa

It's your call , not for use to decide.

It's 99% sure that you won't get to go , Spain today announced 14 day quarantine about a day after relaxing lockdown and saying the holiday areas could open.

If you pay the balance then it's protected if cancelled by TUI and you will get a refund , do nothing and lose £800

manchester_tim

Yes, pay the £4,000 balance

Thanks - that's my dilemma, and realise it's my choice but interested what other "savvy" MSEs think. I too think it unlikely that we'll be able to travel but, as usual, it's the uncertainty that makes the decision difficult when so much money is at stake! 

juliewarden

holiday booked for July with TUI booked in the shop, balance was due on 30 april tried for 3 weeks to phone , no answer, eventually got through to online booking, they couldnt help as booked in the shop, emailed shop 5 times no reply now all lines no reply. I am worried that as I have not paid the balance I will be in breach of contract but no way to pay it or speak to TUI to cancel within the cancellation period. I paid more than the low deposit so worried I will loose £2000. please help as I would now prefer to cancel the holiday due to the current health issues

manchester_tim

Yes, pay the £4,000 balance

juliewarden said:

holiday booked for July with TUI booked in the shop, balance was due on 30 april tried for 3 weeks to phone , no answer, eventually got through to online booking, they couldnt help as booked in the shop, emailed shop 5 times no reply now all lines no reply. I am worried that as I have not paid the balance I will be in breach of contract but no way to pay it or speak to TUI to cancel within the cancellation period. I paid more than the low deposit so worried I will loose £2000. please help as I would now prefer to cancel the holiday due to the current health issues

Not sure when you'd get any difference back, but I think (I'm no expert) you'd lose the following as quoted on TUI website:
70 days or more before travel: Loss of full deposit
69 - 63 days before travel: 30% of total booking price
62 - 49 days before travel: 50% of total booking price
48 - 29 days before travel: 70% of total booking price
28 - 15 days before travel: 90% of total booking price
14 - 0 days before travel: 100% of total booking price
If we assume you won't be allowed to travel, and don't desperately need the cash, maybe pay the balance and then claim back (or use a voucher+20% if TUI still do that then)?

Ganga

manchester_tim said:

So I've followed all the advice about holidays/payments to date. But as we get near August, I'm concerned that we actually may be able to fly to the Canaries! If I knew we couldn't, I'd pay the balance of the holiday and claim back. But, we wouldn't want to fly in August and then have to quarantine for 2 weeks... if FCO advice says that flights can still occur (and Canaries are accepting visitors). If we cancel, we lose the £800 deposit. Why can't FCO just suspend all non-essential travel until the end of the Summer at least!  :'( 

Because there are people who want/would like to go on holiday ! just because you do not want to go.
If you want to go on holiday in the future AND can afford to spend £2000 now why not pay the balance and when TUI cancel your holiday you should also get the 20% bonus , as has been said your money - your choice

NoodleDoodleMan

Yes, pay the £4,000 balance

Not paying the balance gives TUI the right under their Ts&Cs to cancel the reservation on the date it was due and retain the £800. That would suit them just fine in current circumstances.

Neither option is attractive, paying the balance is the better of two choices IMO, as explained above.

frustin

I spoke to which! legal about this issue. one of my party going to Mexico in August is high risk of corona.
I was told, try and call them and get them to defer balance payment until a month before departure. However, for the life of me, i wasn't able to get through, "too many calls please try again later", followed by disconnection.
I've written to Tui (recorded snail mail) and cancelled my holiday by letter. i've paid half of my deposit they'll have to come after me for the other half.

frustin

tried to send a cancellation via royal mail special to address on the tui website:
https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/faq/cancelling-your-holiday
no one there to take the letter.
 going to write the same letter to TUI UK, Wigmore House, Luton, LU2 9TN on monday.

NoodleDoodleMan

Yes, pay the £4,000 balance

I read somewhere that it is relatively easier to contact TUI to make payments than to talk about refunds - no surprise there then.

The number quoted was 0203 451 2688 - option 1

Could be duff information of course - so don't shoot the messenger !!!