Teletext holidays nightmare

Chunkylinc

Hi guys, hope you are all keeping safe and well.

I have an ongoing issue with teletext holidays (more on that below), in so much as I just can’t get any form of cash refund back from them? Has anyone sussessfully managed to get a refund for a 2020 holiday?! 

Has anyone managed legal action? Either via a solicitor or via the small claims court?

in summary, booked a hotel, transfer and flight through TText in 2020. We didn’t cancel the trip (but rang up the hotel 3 days before, who confirmed it was closed. We had confirmed flights, but TText had not provided any transfer or hotel vouchers (despite calling & emailing) - so obviously we didn’t travel to the airport. Ryanair still ran the flight and after much calling and emailing we eventually managed to get a credit note (for hotel cost only - not flight as they gave the usual excuse that they were just the booking agent). We tried to get a cash refund many times for the credit note (unsuccessfully) and in the end thought we had best rebook a holiday to use the credit note before it expired.

that holiday was for June this year and rather than lose it we travelled last week (and this is the fun bit). Upon arrival no transfer was waiting for us (ok perhaps an innocent mistake) so we jumped in a cab (€55). We got to our hotel only to find our booking had been cancelled by TText some 4 days prior to us travelling (ironic seeing as they sent us a text reminding us to check in). So we had to find and book another hotel for the week, because of course no one answered the in resort 24 hour emergency line!

so we are now doubally  out of pocket so any help, advice and input would be great fully received.

cheers Dan. 

[Deleted User]

What have TT said?

Chunkylinc

they’ve not said a thing… finally managed to get through, they apologised and said they would look into it (this is exactly what happened with a)trying to get a refund lady year. And b)trying to get a cash refund on the credit note. 

I must have spent hours trying to get in touch with these people and nothing gets resolved - which is why I’d wondered if anyone else has taken legal action?

Caz3121

there are quite a few posts on the main holidays board (they have been pretty dire for many years)
although this thread has been going for 6 years there is a post from earlier this year that someone mentions court action
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5266021/teletext-holiday-complaints/p1

Alan_Bowen

Yes, I am sorry to say legal action seems to be the best option. A month ago they still owed customers £7 million in refunds from last year and the Competitions and Markets Authority threatened legal action if they didn't start paying. If you do sue, make sure it is the right company which is Truly Travel Ltd, full registered office details available on the Companies House website

ProMonkey

yes i agree legal action here is needed

michael1234

Wow! That sounds absolutely terrible. And if you've young kids doubly so.

Yes if it was me, I would be looking at legal action but not a DIY small claims job. I would get a solicitor and be looking to claim for everything possible including cost of emergency accommodation and some kind of personal injury claim for the stress of dumping your family abroad with nowhere to stay.

Should be perhaps £200 ish to get an initial consultation (some might be free of charge if just a few minutes) to give you an idea of what you can/should claim for. I would spend up to that and decide whether its worth perusing.

Let us know what happened - it might help someone else.

Brie

check to see if you have any legal cover - either through work or perhaps an insurance policy of some sort.

Chunkylinc

thanks guys all very helpful stuff. I’ve been contacting all the usual flight delay/holiday disaster no win no fee type solicitors (bott & co etc) who have all been super helpful, but none will take in the case.

it’s Also worth mentioning that we tried a chargeback on the credit card - but that was refused because they had so many chargebacks to deal with…. 

So like me many consumers are simply stuck - which was why I was hoping someone from the money saving team would be the champion for the many consumers who need help and perhaps provide some legal advice (and or template letters like you have done previously… so if someone from the team is reading this, then to coin a phrase from star wars  then “you are out only hope”…. And we’ll if not then I’ll start to Persue legal action (one way or another) and let you guys know what’s happening incase it helps everyone else out!

DCFC79

Chunkylinc said:

thanks guys all very helpful stuff. I’ve been contacting all the usual flight delay/holiday disaster no win no fee type solicitors (bott & co etc) who have all been super helpful, but none will take in the case.

it’s Also worth mentioning that we tried a chargeback on the credit card - but that was refused because they had so many chargebacks to deal with…. 

So like me many consumers are simply stuck - which was why I was hoping someone from the money saving team would be the champion for the many consumers who need help and perhaps provide some legal advice (and or template letters like you have done previously… so if someone from the team is reading this, then to coin a phrase from star wars  then “you are out only hope”…. And we’ll if not then I’ll start to Persue legal action (one way or another) and let you guys know what’s happening incase it helps everyone else out!

Why will they not rake the case ?

mattyprice4004

michael1234 said:

Wow! That sounds absolutely terrible. And if you've young kids doubly so.

Yes if it was me, I would be looking at legal action but not a DIY small claims job. I would get a solicitor and be looking to claim for everything possible including cost of emergency accommodation and some kind of personal injury claim for the stress of dumping your family abroad with nowhere to stay.

Should be perhaps £200 ish to get an initial consultation (some might be free of charge if just a few minutes) to give you an idea of what you can/should claim for. I would spend up to that and decide whether its worth perusing.

Let us know what happened - it might help someone else.

Personal injury because a hotel elsewhere had to be located? 

I’d Google the word ‘injury’ and familiarise yourself with the definition!