Sun Master Travel now owned by DNTA Travel

Potterytot

My daughter is heartbroken she has saved for a year with Sun Master, paying monthly, Shes had an email cancelling her holiday saying she will get a refund but will take 21 weeks !! But will loose £300 deposit.. what the hell. How can they do this ? Apparently they were taken over in March 2023 - can anyone help please she is broken hearted 

Aylesbury_Duck

Potterytot said:

My daughter is heartbroken she has saved for a year with Sun Master, paying monthly, Shes had an email cancelling her holiday saying she will get a refund but will take 21 weeks !! But will loose £300 deposit.. what the hell. How can they do this ? Apparently they were taken over in March 2023 - can anyone help please she is broken hearted 

She shouldn't lose her deposit if they're the party that's cancelling, but with such limited information it's hard to advise properly.  I assume the new company took over the booking and then cancelled the holiday?  If so, I'd have thought she's due a full refund.

As for the delay, again, more information is needed.

sheramber

https://www.travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/dnata-shuts-down-its-sunmaster-brand/#:~:text=Dnata%20Travel%20Group%20has%20shut,a%20spokesperson%20told%20Travel%20Gossip.

Alderbank

Sunmaster was always one of Dnata's brands. They have just simplified their organisation.

As the link above, travel company Dnata Travel group, who own several brands including Travel Republic and Netflights and is itself part of the Emirates group, closed one of its brands Sunmaster early last year.

At the time Dnata said:

“Customers with existing Sunmaster bookings have been advised that their holiday is unaffected and will be fulfilled by Travel Republic."

That was 12 months ago, March 2023. Perhaps your daughter needs to speak to Travel Republic? Travel Republic is fully protected by ATOL.

DullGreyGuy

So it's all a bit messy, it's been owned by DNTA Travel since 2014 so thats not a new thing. Sunmaster Limited became insolvent in November. Before that happened they were using the brand but it was Travel Republic you were then contracting with. 

Their PR suggests they've decided to drop the brand but also different outcomes 
https://www.travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/dnata-shuts-down-its-sunmaster-brand/
https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/gold-medal-parent-axes-budget-sunmaster-holidays-brand-38882

With Travel Republic, their sister company/brand. seems to be picking up the bookings?

born_again

How was she paying monthly
Direct Debit or Card Payment?

Potterytot

Thanks for all your help and comments, She was paying monthly 

Aylesbury_Duck

Potterytot said:

Thanks for all your help and comments, She was paying monthly 

Yes, but how?  Card or direct debit?  Standing order?  Regular BACS payments?