Holiday refund in local currency not Sterling

PaulPittman

My Travel Operator is insisting my holiday refund has a shortfall of £2000 because it originates from South Africa and there has been fluctuation in the exchange rate. I paid my Tour Operator in £'s, so feel I should get a refund, but am hitting a brick wall. Any ideas on correctness of information?
Too add to the debate, the rate has changed from 18.8 to 22.6, which would produce a circa. £900 shortfall, not £2000. Thanks

bradders1983

It is true the South African exchange rate has improved somewhat over recent months.  Sadly this has a knock on effect of people losing out on refunds, two other people have started threads on the same subject. 

Who is the travel operator? Is it Booking.com? It always says on there that payment is taken in local currency (local to the hotel that is) but prices in £ are shown for ease. How much was the holiday and how much was the refund?

Life__Goes__On

You get back what you paid.
If the exchange rate was the other way  round and it was £2000 over what you paid, you wouldn't be entitled to the extra. (and no doubt they wouldn't have told you)

Have you have the refund minus the shortfall yet,  or is it they will refund you? What method of payment did you use?

PaulPittman

I agree with your first statement. I have not accepted the refund as yet, as my insurance co. advised I should get a full refund from the tour operator. I paid by bank transfer, so no chargeback etc... available.

Life__Goes__On

Who is your travel operator?

PaulPittman

There was no mention on the Tour Operator documentation and ZAR charges were never discussed, this was a £ rate holiday, local prices were not part of the conversation. I also believe my contract is with the UK company, so it is their responsibility to refund and then reclaim from SA.

Life__Goes__On

You are correct,  your contract is under English law  and in Pounds, any exchange rate is not your concern.

Westin

Life__Goes__On said:

You are correct,  your contract is under English law  and in Pounds, any exchange rate is not your concern.

Unless the OP discloses the details and the Operator (has been asked twice) I don’t think you can make that assumption.

PaulPittman

I am struggling to find who mediate in this situation. My Travel Insurance don't want to get involved and the Tour Operator won't budge. Cape Tours are ATOL protected, but that appears to be useless in the situation. Any thoughts?

bradders1983

PaulPittman said:

I am struggling to find who mediate in this situation. My Travel Insurance don't want to get involved and the Tour Operator won't budge. Cape Tours are ATOL protected, but that appears to be useless in the situation. Any thoughts?

https://www.capetours.co.uk/terms-and-conditions

Clause 12 is the relevant one here. 

You say £900 and they say £2000. What was the purchase amount originally?

maydenover

I am due to go on holiday in September with 4 friends, assuming social distancing measures will still be in place this will make the holiday impossible as we will be sharing a holiday cottage. Any advice welcome