TUI / Gold Medal Options

markgparker

We have booked our honeymoon through a TUI store, who booked through Gold Medal. We fly via Dubai but not until June 26. TUI called today offering 3 options;

Option 1 - Change from Emirates to Sri Lanka airlines which will not be via Dubai but we have to pay £400 to cancel the Emirates flights.

Option 2 - Stay with original flights but sign a waver to say we are happy to travel through Dubai.

Option 3 - Cancel booking and loose 50% of what we paid.

Any advise?

Gold Medal are trade only, so won't speak to me, I have to do everything through TUI. We have paid in full via Credit Card, Paid to TUI.

NoodleDoodleMan

There are knowledgeable resident members here who can advise - I've never heard of TUI Gold Medal.

Sounds like a third party supplier ?

TUI (Thomsons) used to have a range of Gold Hotels - but they were part of the group and have since been dropped and rebranded.

A quick search via Google - not a TUI owned brand obviously.

https://www.haystravel.co.uk/holidays/offers/gold-medal/

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6662724/tui-gold-medal-options

How much is £400 compared to what your holiday is costing?

user1977

What happens if you do nothing? Nobody knows what the situation will be like in June.

flaneurs_lobster

What exactly are you relinquishing by agreeing to that waiver?

All rights to any refund under any circumstances?

bagand96

Is that not an option 4 to leave the booking as is and wait and see? That is what a lot of agents and tour operators are doing for future bookings (although that is causing frustrations amongst customers too!).

If you wait and see then the flights might be cancelled anyway, or if the FCDO advises against all but essential travel then a Package Operator would be obliged to refund - although there has been some debate of if that applies if you are just transiting.

If they're forcing you into choosing an option now then I agree with the above - you really need to know what you're signing with their "waiver" as you would still have rights under the Package Travel Regs

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6662724/tui-gold-medal-options

Gold Medal is irrelevant to you, the contract for the package holiday is with TUI.
Sounds like GM has got in touch with TUI any they are trying to strong arm you into agreeing something you don't have to.

Tell TUI they need to come up with better options as you're not agreeing to any of them as none are in your favour.

twopenny

HSBlues has a good angle on it for your first line.

If you do find yourself still in this position I've travelled with Sri Lanka air and it was very good, relaxed and there was a running buffet as well as meals . Don't know if that's the same on all routes. One of the most enjoyable long haul flights.

Considering how much stress you are under with both the wedding and honeymoon I'd give it one shot, maybe two at getting an outcome you are happy with and then move on. It's one thing less to worry about.

No signing of waivers! You're paying for a service and to be looked after.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6662724/tui-gold-medal-options

On the face of it, option 2 is effectively the status quo option, but the devil will be in the detail so, as above, you'd need to ascertain exactly what you'd actually be waiving, and a sensible starting point would be to work on the basis that waiving nothing would be appropriate…

Having said that, it's been reported on other threads that some package providers have been cancelling packages involving travel to or through the Middle East, with no compensation beyond a full refund (which is obviously better than option 3), so perhaps worth considering your options in that light.

Westin

Gold Medal is a trade brand within the Dnata Group. Dnata itself is a member of the Emirates Group of travel businesses. Gold Medal package holiday trips for sales via (normally independent) travel agents.

Are these ‘options’ ones that have been put to you after you asked about changing your holiday in June? Most operators seem to be working on a rolling down basis of cancellation leading up to a travel date in the not distant future. If an Operator cancels your holiday following FCDO advice then you have certain rights under the Package Travel Regulations. If however you have asked for options in changing your holiday then other (paid for) routes may be offered.

eskbanker

If an Operator cancels your holiday following FCDO advice then you have certain rights under the Package Travel Regulations

Are you thinking of anything in particular, beyond the obligation for the package provider to refund in full?