On the beach - after booking, changes price

pedderd

Is this normal ? I booked a holiday through OTB and got a call the next day saying that as the children are 15 & 12 years old, they need to put the price up by 600 pounds ! The deposit was not taken from my account (nearly 2000), so I know we are not then in contract. But, is this not false advertising ? They said to me that I should call them up to book as this can happen, so what is the point of a website ? Would love some opinions if anyone can help. Needless to say, I had to cancel it :-(

elsien

6. Pricing and errors

We endeavour to ensure that all the information and prices both on our website and in any advertising material that we publish are accurate, however, occasionally changes and errors occur and we and each Supplier/Principal reserves the right to correct advertised prices and other details in such circumstances at any time prior to confirmation. You must check the price and all other details relating to your chosen Travel Arrangements at the time of booking. Where the Travel Arrangements or price have been listed incorrectly and the booking has already been confirmed, we reserve the right to cancel the booking and refund all monies paid to you.

Have they explained exactly why the children’s ages meant an increase in cost? 

pedderd

She said something like the hotels policy as they are nearly adults ! Like I don't have to input their ages to start with

pedderd

Are Sunshine.co.uk the same as On The Beach ?

elsien

They are owned by on the beach.

Lavendyr

OTB will be acting as agent for the hotel you're booking at a guess, so they won't be able to confirm the final price until they agree it with the hotel.

Without seeing the advert it's impossible to see if it is "false advertising". However many hotels operate a cut-off for children at + or - 12 years old 

daveyjp

The downside of using an agent that simply don't have the capability to check every detail. 

If you want all detail use a bone fide agent that doesn't cover is shortcomings with small print, or book direct with the hotel.

Westin

You initially place a booking order -

” All bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking. We do not guarantee that any of the Travel Arrangements we advertise will still be available at the time of booking. We will inform you as soon as possible after placing an order if, for any reason, the Travel Arrangements you have sought to book with us are not available.”

The booking is only made and confirmed when -

“ Your booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Supplier/Principal will exist when we send you a booking confirmation email with a booking reference number.’


As OTB will be cobbling together the flights, accommodation and transfers to make a ‘package’ then I can understand why the child age limitations between two different suppliers (accommodation + flights) did not match up with your order.  The apartment unit occupancies should however show up when you are selecting your chosen accommodation type.

jimi_man

Tbh I do think it’s a bit rubbish. I’ve booked countless holidays with BA holidays (IMO probably one of the best travel agents out there) and I’ve never had to pay over and above the price shown on the website. Never had a call the next day asking me to pay more. 

Westin

BA Holidays operates a different business model to many of these online travel agencies.  

On The Beach, Love Holidays, and alike cobble together holiday packages from different supply sources.

pedderd

Thanks for all the replies. Very thoroughly explained. I still don't agree with it, but that's how it is. It still feels like going in to BMW and buying a car for £20k and then being told I need to pay extra for brake pads - not an extra, but a necessity