Virgin Holiday cancelled holiday to Mauritius but still taking bookings

mawsaunders

Hi
We have just received an email from Virgin Holidays saying our holiday to Mauritius is cancelled for October. I've found out that the reason being is that when we booked our package holiday with Virgin Holidays they were flying us there with Mauritius Airlines and they are now no longer using them but using another carrier (Emirates). So they've cancelled our entire holiday!!! I'm speaking to them at the moment but I would have thought that as we have booked a package holiday we should not be penalised for them changing the flight to another airline ! It appears they will want us to book the same holiday for £600 more then we originally paid. Anyone know where we stand on this?

bradders1983

They are allowed to cancel holidays and give full refunds for whatever reason to be honest. 

Thrugelmir

mawsaunders said:

Anyone know where we stand on this?

Accept the refund or pay the additional flight cost for the new carrier. Simple choice really. 

mawsaunders

They haven't even (yet) offered us the option of paying the additional cost, they've just emailed us saying our holiday is cancelled. I'd consider paying the additional cost if they'd contacted us explaining what has happened. They only reason I know why they've cancelled is by checking their website and looking at a new booking. 

bradders1983

Contact them then and ask to rebook under the new terms.

To be honest given its only in October, commercial flights are still not available, and the island is still placing all foreign visitors into a 14 day government centre quarantine, I would be taking the money and running. Seems they arent even letting their own residents return at the moment.

mawsaunders

Update: I have been in discussions with Virgin Holidays and they have confirmed that they cancelled my holiday as they have now moved to a different airline to fly to Mauritius...They changed from Mauritius Airlines to Emirates. They have offered me 50% discount on the increased costs. Was around £860 extra and they discounted it to £430. So that wasn't so bad, however the big problem is that Emirates don't fly direct to Mauritius but via a connecting flight from Dubai and Dubai isn't on the UK Government approved destinations. Have checked the UK gov website and it says that even if you stop in UAE (transit stop) for a connecting flight you have to self isolate for 14 days on return to the UK which we can't do. SO I'll have to accept the cancellation and refund. Disappointing that Virgin Holidays didn't select an airline that goes direct e.g. BA and / or waited for Mauritius Airlines to come out of Administration which they're likely to do on the 31/08/20 once Mauritius Government allows aircraft travel into the country again. Of course there is a possibility the the Mauritius government won't open up to tourists on the 31/08/20.

98dynaglide

... trying to get the actual refund from Virgin is the fun part, you're currently looking at 150+ days, they're refunding 1-2% of people just to stay within the law - better to get the section 75 refund off the credit card company. Virgin will just give you the runaround, the brand is finished - look at the recent reviews on Trustpilot for confirmation. 

Westin

98dynaglide said:

... trying to get the actual refund from Virgin is the fun part, you're currently looking at 150+ days, they're refunding 1-2% of people just to stay within the law - better to get the section 75 refund off the credit card company. Virgin will just give you the runaround, the brand is finished - look at the recent reviews on Trustpilot for confirmation. 

It may not be that bad. They had at one time been quoting up to 120 days. I believe that has dropped now to under 80 days and a commitment that they are now working faster to issue refunds.