TUI Operational Reasons - Be Aware - WARNING

Devs_2

Very concerned with TUI today, we have received a call to say that our holiday to Thailand is not going ahead in July due to operational reasons. The 20% voucher offered for which we received an email if holidays get cancelled they have said does not apply to us as the holiday is being cancelled for operational reason and not COVID reasons, but surprise they could not tell me what those operational reason are.

As the holiday was never going to go ahead due to COVID, I think TUI are now cancelling holidays in advance with the excuse of operational reason so they can remove the need to provide the 20% voucher to the holiday cost when the holidays are cancelled.

Options given,
1). re-book the £6k holiday with a £200 discount incentive but no holidays available for next summer as yet.
2). Accept a voucher for the amount - likely would not be protected under ATOL because we are accepting a voucher rather than a credit refund which is being forced up on us.
3). Get a full refund

Only viable option was 3
Email received 10 minutes after phone call to say refund on its way.

What other reasons would holidays to Thailand be cancelled unless COVID related, even if they are reducing destinations due to COVID issues, making it operational, it is still COVID related, unless the Hotel has gone bust in which we are meant to be staying. To not be giving us the actual operational reason is a little bit of a joke and very bad customer services.

People out there be aware of accepting a voucher as this is different to a credit refund and should TUI go bust, you may have problems getting your money back.

Also think that just 3 weeks ago we were forced to pay the balance for this holiday departing 18th July, I feel sorry for anyone who couldn't afford to pay that balance due to losing their jobs or finding themselves without income temporarily and where forced to cancel and lose the deposits under the terms and coditions when it now turns out they were never going to be travelling in any case.

DealFinder2016

Hi Devs_2, have you checked if your hotel is open on the dates you are due to travel?
I suspect we are going to in a similar situation as our hotel in Mexico is not reopening until November (we were due to travel on 10th July). We haven't heard anything from TUI yet. 

Devs_2

ScottHart said:

Hi Devs_2, have you checked if your hotel is open on the dates you are due to travel?
I suspect we are going to in a similar situation as our hotel in Mexico is not reopening until November (we were due to travel on 10th July). We haven't heard anything from TUI yet. 

I have not but if that is the case, it is due to COVID, it is operational because of COVID situation so should really get the 20% voucher.  Biggest thing is that people who accept a voucher are not getting a credit refund covered by ATOL, they are getting a voucher that if TUI went bust they would struggle to get back.

Big difference from begin given a credit refund that you have not requested to accepting a voucher for the value of the holiday willingly.  Be careful in your selection when contacted.