Booking mistake with Thompson - advice?

blindman

SharkyGeorge wrote: »

Once the mistake had been spotted and he went back to the Thomson desk they said that because there were two free spaces if it was ok with the person at the check-in he could still get on the plane. After all, those spaces wouldn't have been filled otherwise and he *had* paid for the ticket, which cost the same as his friend's (correct) ticket. It was one member of staff at the check in who claimed that because check in had closed he couldn't board (as opposed to the problem being the wrong date on the ticket).

So he didn't even get to the check in desk on time

Thomson don't have to do anything for him I'm afraid.

If the outbound flight of a return journey is missed then usually the return leg is cancelled.

Have you double checked it is still valid?

If so then get a cheap :rolleyes: one way outbound flight .

SharkyGeorge

blindman wrote: »

So he didn't even get to the check in desk on time

Thomson don't have to do anything for him I'm afraid.

If the outbound flight of a return journey is missed then usually the return leg is cancelled.

Have you double checked it is still valid?

If so then get a cheap :rolleyes: one way outbound flight .

He got to check in on time, they spotted the mistake & sent him to the Thomson desk. They said he can board and sent him back to check in. Check in said it was too late and then let someone next to him board the plane.

Apparently the return is still valid.

Inactive

The return flight should be fine, they are actually 2 individual flights, not strictly speaking a return.

I have skipped an outbound flight and just used the inbound leg without any problems.

bagand96

SharkyGeorge wrote: »

1) He was incredibly close to getting on the flight. It came down to one member of staff who put his foot down. Yes, he was within his right to but similarly if there was an empty space on that flight - and everyone else was saying my brother could get on it - how much responsibility did Thompson have to try and help get another flight? (Sometimes they do this if you come late, don't they?)

Unfortunately Thomson didn't have any responsibility to find him another flight. They could of course offer him a ticket at full price on the flight but that would be all they have do do.

From reading the further posts it seems Thomson were fairly helpful. By offering him a transfer to todays flight either free of charge or just charging the difference in cost is above and beyond what they "have" to do, and is good customer service (it is the season of good will and all...)

The issue seems to be that he didn't make the flight because check in had closed, not because they wouldn't transfer him. Unfortunately if check in had closed not much can be done, by that time the flight has finalised, (which is more than it sounds - security clearance, weight and balance checks etc) so if it is too late to make the flight it is too late

SharkyGeorge wrote: »

2) Apparently his return flight may be cancelled although its still valid. Are they allowed to do this? If so, why?

It shouldn't be. The first thing I would do is to contact Thomsonfly and confirm this, however I doubt the return leg is cancelled. In the past this was often the case as airlines often discounted return tickets so this sort of thing would happen. However with the "low cost" era, and the new ticket systems, airlines such as Thomsonfly/easyJet etc essentially sell you two one way tickets, so this shouldn't be the case, the return ticket should be valid. But like I said, don't bank on this, ring Thomsonfly and confirm it.

SharkyGeorge wrote: »

2) 3) Is it worth trying to talk to Thompson and see if they will make any leeway for him?

Its always worth speaking to them, you might catch them on a good day, but don't exect anything. They will probably see it as he booked a flight in November and didn't turn up. End of. Thats how it stands legally as well. Like I said, try speaking to them, but remember they don't owe you anyting.

hammy_the_hammer

just to point out that the outgoing flight that he paid for may not have had any empty seats and thus by letting him transfer FOC or at minimal cost would have cost Thomsons money overall.

Woby_Tide

SharkyGeorge wrote: »

Check in said it was too late and then let someone next to him board the plane.

check-in and boarding are different 'states', check-in can close long before people are still allowed to board

dmg24

So he found out he could not check in, went over to the CS desk, and then went back to the check in desk. By this time the desk had closed. He can't have left much time. If someone had found themselves in this situation, surely they would be at the airport in plenty of time, possibly even before check in has opened?

Woby_Tide

you're a month late, whats a few more minutes.....chill have a coffee then queue up