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advice - rise travel

I'm seeking some advice.

Last year we both did the "£10 flights to America" that was offered by the Daily Express.
Collect 30 tokens out of 35, fill out a form, send it in, hope for the best.

We both had flights alloted to us (which were rubbish of course) but still useful to us.
We were told that a travel agent would be contacting us. Back in Nov-Dec of 2004, Rise Travel still had a contact number (near as I can tell now it's just an unmanned recording). When I called to find out our status I was assured that a travel agent would contact us, that due to "unprecendented demand" there was a backlog. I kept calling and kept getting fobbed off. Eventually the number because a recording - I would leave messages but never had a response. Our alloted dates have long since past now. In March I wrote a letter to Rise Travel indicating my displeasure and requesting to be contacted with an alternative offer. I have yet to hear back.

I know that Rise has a horrible reputation, and there's always the "you get what you pay for" aphorism, but we feel cheated. We haven't lost much other than 30 days of Daily Express (blech!) but that's still £30 or so.

Are we out of luck or is there someone we can speak with to lodge a complaint?

Any other suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks
:D

Comments

  • Baz-Bee
    Baz-Bee Posts: 166 Forumite
    The Daily Express have a consumer champion cvalled the Crusader. I think the column is normally in Monday's paper but am not sure.


    Why not contact the Crusader to take up the challenge of getting your flights on your behalf. Surely the Daily Express must feel some responsibility?
  • JCL
    JCL Posts: 574 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Hi there,

    I'm in the same boat (along with you and many others) regarding the fly to the US for £10 offer.

    See this link for more info:
    http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8736&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

    That thread includes contact details for various people who may be able to help. I'm certainly not giving up on this!
    MFW 2015 #41 = £20,515/£20,515
    MFW 2014 #41 = £26,100/£25,000
    MFW 2013 #41 = £10,000/£10,000
    Original MF date = May 2036 - MF achieved on 15 June 2015
  • trisontana
    trisontana Posts: 9,472 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The Daily Express "£10 Cruise For All Our Readers" promotion ( also operated by Rise /MKM) is also in deep trouble . This has been featured twice on Watchdog and I think might be on there again when the new series starts tomorrow. Things have got so bad that the Express have now taken over responsibility for it and Rise are completely out of the picture. There are rumours that the paper is trying to get MyTravel to try and book some cruises.

    It might be worth while contacting the Express again over the flight offer. If enough people complain and threaten them with trading standards and the ASA then The Express might take the offer out of the hands of Rise. The trouble with both offers is that the maths just don't add up. To try and offer flights or a cruise for £10, when people will not buy the expensive add-ons, is just financial suicide.

    As JCL has pointed out , a good point of contact is the holiday-truths web site.
    What part of "A whop bop-a-lu a whop bam boo" don't you understand?
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