Flight Change! ✈️

bex88

Hi all, looking for some advice.

I've booked a surprise holiday for my mum's 60th birthday to lake Garda, Italy in late October. Its my first time arranging an abroad holiday, so I have already been a little anxious about the process.

I booked the hotel & flights package through Thomas Cook. Flights at Gatwick, with EasyJet.

The end of last week, I have an email sent saying:

"There have been significant changes to your booking that require an immediate response. Click below to view the changes and make the required decisions. See changes and decide"

The return flight was originally 16:20.

Change to flight is now 10:05.

(Wed 28th October)

We will be staying in Riva and not hiring a car, so concerned how we will be able to get to the airport in time, as that means we would have to leave the hotel very early and no idea if there will be public transport running and transfers are crazy expensive. It also adds additional travel stress to the situation.

I spoke to Thomas Cook today, I told her the options I had looked into. (Transfer in the morning, or Change to ryanair going from Stansted, which wasn't an option at the time of booking because there wasn't availability of flights then. Stansted is also closer to us).

She said leave it with her and she'll get back to me. This is the response:

"I have looked at alternative flight's and the only other option available are the STN Ryan Air flight's but we would not be able to book these for you due to Ryan Air being a self serve airline and at the time if confirming there is a verification process to go through which we are unable to do on an amendment. I have looked at private transfers and these are going to be an additional £275.52 to pay.

We can cancel the easy jet flights and issue you a refund for the flight's and leave your booking as hotel only if you want to go with the Ryan air option or cancel the whole booking and issue a refund of monies already paid."

Personally, I'm not keen on it to be hotel only booking because surely then it's not a "package" holiday and I'm not as well covered if things happen? It's the reason I chose a package in the first place.

Equally, I feel like it shouldn't be myself to pays the transfer cost, because it's a 'significant change'? More than 6 hours difference. (Additionally cannot really afford an extra nearly £300!)

Please can anyone advise?

Cubicsrube

What a lovely thing to do for your mum.

In my experience, airlines and package holiday companies have a ton of wiggle room when it comes to what they are legally on the hook for. The fact that you've been offered a full refund is great and if it were me, I would grab that full refund and look for a different deal.

I'm guessing you're in education and that's why you've booked during the schools' half-term zone? If not, and you have any flexibility, you may find better deals and better weather earlier in Oct or even late September (plus the passenger ferries will still be running then)

mebu60

If you really want a holiday as a package look at Tui, they use Ryanair from Stansted. If you find something suitable take the Thomas Cook full refund and rebook.

bex88

Thanks both, my mum works in a school so I am unfortunately limited with the dates. We can stay an extra day also, and fly back Thurs but again, would ideally like for Thomas Cook to arrange us a place to stay near the airport or contribute to that extra night. She didn't mention that though in her response.

I'll have a look at TUI now and see if there is the same hotel and dates to book with them, and see what the price is.

It took me a long time contemplating where to stay and once I finally picked and booked I felt excited, but this is causing me some worry now, so I just want it sorted so I can relax about it again.

Bigphil1474

Last 3 times I've flown to Europe my return flight has been moved forward. The last time we went long haul, the second flight home was moved so it took off before we got there - again in Europe. Maybe I'm just unlucky. I would definitely do as Mebu says.

bex88

TUI not an option. They have no bookable dates past 3rd Oct.

Thomas Cook: rebooking there are no more of the room I've currently booked which has a double bed and a sofa bed in the living room, which is ideal for us. The other options with 2 beds are £200+ extra each. The change to the Ryanair flights is an extra amount too, but not too bad. But not sure if I'd be able to get the room quickly after cancelling, if it would show up?

😮‍💨 I don't really know what to do.

MissJaneMarple

Have you tried phoning or emailing the hotel directly to explain? Ask them if they can "hold" the room for 48 hours while you change airline? If they say they will get it confirmed in email that they will hold even if it is a phone conversation in the first instance.

bex88

Thank you, I will send them an email and ask. I phoned them up today (on hold for 25 mins) and the lady has personally emailed me the response in my initial post, so I will reply to that and ask if they could do that. That would be a great outcome, as Standard would be much better for us.

elsien

Which airport are you flying into? Because a transfer if booked independently, may not be as much as you think.

Caz3121

just for information - winter timetable starts on 25th October. Airlines will over the next few weeks be getting confirmed slot times so anything booked now does have a risk of schedule changes as things are firmed up

luci

If you're being offered a full refund, I would grab it with both hands. Normally, any change to a package holiday has to be 12 hours or more to be classed as a major change.