Can my travel agent change my return flight to a different airline without my consent?

MX5Man

Hello Everyone
Just looking for a bit of advice, please. My wife and I have booked a holiday through a travel agent. The confirmation sent to us at the time of booking in late October specified outward and return flights with Jet 2. Last week, a further confirmation was sent, with the return flight now showing as a Ryanair flight. We were not consulted about, or even informed of, this change. We don't wish to fly with Ryanair and have asked to be placed back on the Jet 2 flight originally stated. The travel agent says that this can be done but that there will be a charge of £400, which, obviously, we don't want to pay. When I queried the change, the travel agent said it "must have been a mistake" that our return flight was originally given as a Jet 2 flight. Any ideas or advice on what we can do gratefully accepted. Thank you!

DE_612183

Not sure what you can do - the contract you entered into was to get from Place A to Place B - they will have fulfilled the contract.

Is there any particular reason you don't want to use Ryanair?

bagand96

What have you booked and who with?  Is it a dynamically packaged holiday with a Travel Agent where they construct a package by combining flights and a hotel booking? It could be that the agent is has seen the opportunity to save a bit of their cash by booking you on Ryanair, or it could well just be an error as they've explained.

It will come down to the Terms & Conditions.  However most T&C's will say that airlines and aircraft are subject to change, and there's nothing in the Package Travel Regulations that stops them doing that.  As long as you have the same luggage, and any other extras you paid for then it will be hard to challenge.

On 2 different Jet2 bookings last year I ended up on a chartered aircraft not operated by Jet2, not exactly the same situation, as it was still a "Jet2" flight, but even the main tour operators reserve the right to change operating carrier.

flaneurs_lobster

DE_612183 said:

Is there any particular reason you don't want to use Ryanair?

Now that's funny.

eskbanker

MX5Man said:

Hello Everyone
Just looking for a bit of advice, please. My wife and I have booked a holiday through a travel agent. The confirmation sent to us at the time of booking in late October specified outward and return flights with Jet 2. Last week, a further confirmation was sent, with the return flight now showing as a Ryanair flight. We were not consulted about, or even informed of, this change. We don't wish to fly with Ryanair and have asked to be placed back on the Jet 2 flight originally stated. The travel agent says that this can be done but that there will be a charge of £400, which, obviously, we don't want to pay. When I queried the change, the travel agent said it "must have been a mistake" that our return flight was originally given as a Jet 2 flight. Any ideas or advice on what we can do gratefully accepted. Thank you!

Is there a material difference in the flight times, or anything else that might be deemed as a significant change as defined in the Ts & Cs?

MX5Man

Thank you for the contributions to date. The reasons for preferring not to travel with Ryanair are immaterial, but include the possibility, at least going by things that I have read in the past, of additional charges levied for baggage, seat selection and so on. There are no significant differences, at least that have so far come to light. My gripe is that we were not informed of the change, never mind actually consulted, and that now we are being told it will cost £400 to return it to a Jet2 flight, despite the fact that the original confirmation listed the Jet2 flight numbers. If some money-saving has gone on and we have been told that it was a "mistake", then that is dishonest. We'll never prove it, of course. It just leaves a nasty taste. Anyway, lesson learned: next time we'll just book direct with Jet2 on their website, because, obviously, this particular "travel professional" isn't very professional. Thanks again!
PS We have been offered £100 towards our next holiday booked with the same travel agent. I don't think we'll be taking up that offer.

eskbanker

MX5Man said:

obviously, this particular "travel professional" isn't very professional

Feel free to name and shame them on here!

DE_612183

MX5Man said:

Thank you for the contributions to date. The reasons for preferring not to travel with Ryanair are immaterial, but include the possibility, at least going by things that I have read in the past, of additional charges levied for baggage, seat selection and so on. There are no significant differences, at least that have so far come to light. My gripe is that we were not informed of the change, never mind actually consulted, and that now we are being told it will cost £400 to return it to a Jet2 flight, despite the fact that the original confirmation listed the Jet2 flight numbers. If some money-saving has gone on and we have been told that it was a "mistake", then that is dishonest. We'll never prove it, of course. It just leaves a nasty taste. Anyway, lesson learned: next time we'll just book direct with Jet2 on their website, because, obviously, this particular "travel professional" isn't very professional. Thanks again!
PS We have been offered £100 towards our next holiday booked with the same travel agent. I don't think we'll be taking up that offer.

So, no significant differences in what you paid for, except the possibility of extra charges, and they have offered you £100 off a future booking - not sure thats unprofessional at all.

heatherw_01

eskbanker said:

MX5Man said:

obviously, this particular "travel professional" isn't very professional

Feel free to name and shame them on here!

Yes you can name them here so that others are aware of this happening.

flaneurs_lobster

heatherw_01 said:

eskbanker said:

MX5Man said:

obviously, this particular "travel professional" isn't very professional

Feel free to name and shame them on here!

Yes you can name them here so that others are aware of this happening.

I wouldn't.

You haven't travelled yet so you are still their customer. Might need further action on this booking. 

Go and get your suntan, come back, and then slag them off.

bagand96

You'll fly from the same airports, likely on the same aircraft type. You'll miss out on all those airport staff in their bright red shirts, maybe a slightly warmer welcome, and lots of Jess Glynne.

The T&Cs likely allow the travel agent to do this. Do double check that any baggage arrangements are the same, and understand the Ryanair carry on bags policy. They should give you a Ryanair booking reference so you can check your booking on their site.

I wouldn't let it become any bigger a thing so that it clouds the enjoyment of your holiday. It's a few hours in a plane at the end of the day.