First Choice/TUI Flights To Goa

Slinda1

I booked a holiday to Goa with First Choice in December 2019 departing Manchester on 4th December 2020 for one month. At the moment TUI are cancelling flights due to fly before and after that date, but still insist that the flight on the 4th is going ahead.  I was due to pay the balance on 11th September, but managed to delay that until 25th September, which is the 70 day cut off and only lose the deposit if I cancel.  I know the advice is to pay the balance and reclaim the total amount when TUI do cancel, but there is a problem with that.  Earlier this year TUI cancelled our holiday to Mexico two days before departure and if they do the same for Goa then I will lose the money I will have paid for a visa and may have trouble getting a refund for parking and the hotel for a night stop at Manchester airport the night before departure.  I really do not understand TUI's thinking as at the moment as the Indian Government are not issuing visas to anyone and with the awful plight of India at the moment I cannot see any flights going to Goa. Has anyone any suggestions/ (only decent ones please as I know many people are in the same boat).

bradders1983

December is an absolute age off in the travel world at the moment, I know this is not what you are wanting to hear but December holidays are nowhere near a priority for TUI to be dealing with.  

As for visas being paid for and possibly not needed then they simply wont care, those are the responsibility of the customer and their terms and conditions are usually very watertight in this regard. 

Westin

I echo the comments above.

Choices are at this stage:-
a. Don’t pay the balance, cancel and accept you have lost the deposit. Draw a line under it and move on.
b. Pay the balance. Hold your nerve. Accept that there is a chance First Choice will cancel the holiday and you will potentially lose the cost of your visa application and Manchester Airport hotel.

If Option B I would look at the latest time you can apply for the Indian visas and possibly hold off doing any work or application on these yet.  Also, don’t make any more travel plans like the Manchester airport hotel on a non-refundable basis.  Nevertheless if TUI cancel the flight a polite request to the hotel may result in a credit, travel deferral or even a refund.

My guess, TUI will either defer the launch of their flying programme until shortly before Christmas or will cancel their entire Goa winter programme.

NoodleDoodleMan

Why would TUI cancel flights before and after that date but leave the 4th Dec. still scheduled to go ?

Westin

I scratched my head on that as well. Possible I guess that they are planning operating to operate MAN GOI fortnightly rather than weekly.  I didn't however bother to check or dig further as the OP has not given specific flight info.  Might also be that TUI are deferring the start of the flying series, cancelling November but starting December, and OP incorrect about cancelling after the 4th.

bradders1983

A quick look on TUI holidays from Manchester to Goa shows no holidays available until the 17th December. This either means 4th Dec has been canned, or has just sold out.

At least 2 flights a week showing from that point also (3 a week over Xmas)