Cancelled? holiday but received tickets

Toto

Hi all,

We were originally getting married in Florida this year so booked a trip for our little family a year ago. Anyway, because of work and a family who were being a pain we decided to do a quickie wedding last september. So, I called to cancel the holiday. Now, the guy said that we would lose the deposit but he would give us until 29th December to change the holiday dates to before april, if we didn't the trip would automatically be cancelled.

Anyway, due to work we just couldn't fit in a trip before April so we decided to just take the hit on the deposit. I heard nothing else, no reminder to pay the balance invoice as the Ts and Cs stated we would get, so obviously I just assumed the trip was cancelled.

So, today in the post I received the flight tickets and information pack for this holiday Does this mean the holiday is still open and because we have the tickets there has been some mistake and they think the balance is paid? Or, if we don't go, will they send us an invoice for the outstanding balance because it clearly hasn't been cancelled? So we end up paying for a trip we didn't take.

I did call them today but didn't mention the balance because frankly I was worried that it might generate an invoice and even if I tried to cancel now presumably they would still want 100% of the holiday paid as we're supposed to go in 2 weeks. So, I thought I'd let them tell me what was outstanding. All they mentioned was a £40 charge for changing my name and that a new ticket for me had been sent to the information point for collection on the day. I asked it that was all and they said yes and have a nice holiday.

So, if we don't go, do you think that we'll be landed with a bill? That would be awful. Would anyone send tickets to someone without the balance being paid in full? If we have to pay I'd rather just go on the trip. I'm dead confused, and yes I realise now I should have called to confirm all was cancelled but I'sort of trusted what they told me on the phone... oops.

xinran

Toto
Are you sure they haven't charged the balance?
It often happens automatically using information from the card with which you paid the deposit.
Xinran

Toto

Yes I'm sure, I used my debit card but I only keep the money I need in my current account. I transfer everything else into my linked savings account and then just transfer out as I need it. So the debit wouldn't have gone through if they tried, you'd have thought they would have mentioned something then wouldn't you?

jonesMUFCforever

In my opinion you have not cancelled at all and have assumed very wrongly that you have.
If it was me I would just go on holiday because one way or another you will pay for it - you might as well get the benefit.

Not been chased for the balance does not cancel anything.
I'm sure that they will collect the money one way or another - either from your card or through debt collectors eventually.

mrcow

Well I've never been sent tickets for any trip without the balance being paid first in full.

It sounds to me like there has been a mix up, but the question is whether anyone is going to eventually realise. If you can still go on the trip and don't mind paying for it, then I'd go and see if I get billed at a later time. (You may wish to call the airline and hotel and confirm your bookings in case you get there and they've been cancelled). Otherwise, I'd be on the phone confirming the cancellation from way back ASAP and getting some reassurance in writing.

Toto

I think that's what we'll do Mrcow, with a bit of juggling we can make it. And if I'm going to get billed I'd like to make sure we take the trip.

I've never heard of anyone receiving tickets without paying the balance either. So, I'll call the airline / hotel tomorrow and check, if they haven't been cancelled we'll go and see what happens. I fully expect to pay either way.

jonesMUFCforever

I would be contacting the agent who made the original booking for you.

dzug

Toto wrote: »

I've never heard of anyone receiving tickets without paying the balance either. So, I'll call the airline / hotel tomorrow and check, if they haven't been cancelled we'll go and see what happens. I fully expect to pay either way.

Not so sure it can't happen.

Some years ago I booked some flights in April, paying in full by credit card. Tickets duly arrived and trip took place in July.

In December I got a letter from the travel agent (one of the large on-line ones) saying you didn't pay for your flights in July, please cough up.

Sorted out very easily by providing details of the date/method of payment - but it does show that it might be possible to get tickets without paying.

jillie1974

thats very strange. can i ask how/where you booked it?
i used to do the admin/chasing balances for holidays and in my experience if there was money outstanding and by a certain date (usually 8 weeks before departure) we would cancel the holiday at loss of deposit. i know some companies collect balances from the card you paid the original deposit on but they are meant to contact you before they do it. have you double checked your account??

Toto

I've checked my account and there hasn't been a debit. I booked with thomas cook. I was told when I called to cancel that they would give me up until 8 weeks before to change the dates if we wanted to, otherwise they would automatically cancel when the balance wasn't paid. I knew I was losing the deposit which is fair enough, that's why they take a deposit. But like I said, I've had no phone call, no email, nothing. So I was pretty shocked when the tickets turned up.

Toto

dzug wrote: »

Not so sure it can't happen.

Some years ago I booked some flights in April, paying in full by credit card. Tickets duly arrived and trip took place in July.

In December I got a letter from the travel agent (one of the large on-line ones) saying you didn't pay for your flights in July, please cough up.

Sorted out very easily by providing details of the date/method of payment - but it does show that it might be possible to get tickets without paying.

I'm expecting that we'll have to pay when we get to the airport to be honest. And I'd much rather physically pay there than trust the telephone service now. So, I'll transfer the money out of my savings account so we can sort it out when I pick up my ticket with my new married name on. Then at least i will have a receipt in my hand to prove we did settle the account if we ever get the letter saying we still owe the money.