Thomson Rip-Off Fuel Charge

alared

All Thomson holidays now carry a massive £25 per person fuel levy.
We all know world oil prices have gone up but surely this is way over the top.

blindman

Yet another reason to NEVER use a "Travel Agent"

sloppychops

Some travel agents actually charge more than £25 pp fuel supplements.

alanrowell

Isn't that roughly what BA charge?

blindman

Yes

Still a rip off though.

holidayguru

Blindman,

In some respects I agree. If the £25 pp was included in the flight/holiday cost it would be better.

However 'another reason not to use a travel agent' makes no sense. Thomson are a Tour Operator, so irresspective of weather you booked your Thomson flight/package with a Travel Agent or direct with Thomson-it's not the Travel Agent that's to blame-it's the Tour Operator.

As these costs apply to all airlines a lot of the 'low-cost' airlines include this extra charge in the basic price.

However...I do agree that by showing it as an extra cost the Tour Op's are shooting themselves in the foot somewhat. Same with flight meals-why not just add them in & have just the one price?

Decent independant agents do have their uses. A regular of mine booked Ryanair flights & followed a link to book Hotel separately. Arrived-hotel overbooked-moved-no rep/recourse as not part of a package. I offered to do this as an atol package (we charge just £10 per booking for this) but the tight g*t wanted to save £10 (4 pax going-£2-50pp??!). If we'd have done it the problem would have been ours to sort out & pay for.

So good agents have their uses....

alared

Out of curiosity I`ve just priced up a flight only Luton to Malaga in Dec.(2 people)
Thomson total price £168 where they`ve added £25 x 2 fuel duty.
Easyjet £99-98 total price.
Don`t for get everyone (kids as well) has to pay the £25 when booking a Thomson holiday.
I learned my lesson a couple of years ago and now always book my own flights,hotel and transfers.
I feel sorry for a family of four who have to stump up a £100 for this rip-off charge.

blindman

However 'another reason not to use a travel agent' makes no sense. Thomson are a Tour Operator, so irresspective of weather you booked your Thomson flight/package with a Travel Agent or direct with Thomson-it's not the Travel Agent that's to blame-it's the Tour Operator.

I'll include Never use a Tour Operator.

In these days of cheap\easy Internet access, loads of Tripadvisor and Holiday Guide sites and Hotel web-sites with direct bookings it still amazes me why people use the Travel Agent, whose sole purpose in life is to make a profit.

A regular of mine booked Ryanair flights & followed a link to book Hotel separately. Arrived-hotel overbooked-moved-no rep/recourse as not part of a package. I offered to do this as an atol package (we charge just £10 per booking for this) but the tight g*t wanted to save £10 (4 pax going-£2-50pp??!). If we'd have done it the problem would have been ours to sort out & pay for.

The example above is the excuse TA use for 'paying' for their services.

In real life when the 'regular' contacts the TA through the 'Rep' (if they can be found) or directly, the TA is as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

Re overbooked hotel: Depends on the Hotel chain etc but usually if you get 'walked' they give you the first night free and transport you to a hotel of equivalent standard.

The reason this doesn't happen in a 'package' is that the Hotels used by Tour Operators don't care about their customers as they are guaranteed occupancy by the TO.


When I book flights I weigh up the cost vs convenience. If BA's final cost for a flight is going up (on an already overpriced flight, with probably no meals and little legroom) I'll not be tempted to use it.

Now if England score 600 and the Aussies 100 and I get through on the 'phone then I'll suffer the trip to Australia (if it's a return that is!)

holidayguru

blindman wrote:

I'll include Never use a Tour Operator.

In these days of cheap\easy Internet access, loads of Tripadvisor and Holiday Guide sites and Hotel web-sites with direct bookings it still amazes me why people use the Travel Agent, whose sole purpose in life is to make a profit.





The example above is the excuse TA use for 'paying' for their services.

In real life when the regular contacts the TA through the 'Rep' (if they can be found) or directly, the TA is as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

Re overbooked hotel: Depends on the Hotel chain etc but usually if you get 'walked' they give you the first night free and transport you to a hotel of equivalent standard.

The reason this doesn't happen in a 'package' is that the Hotels used by Tour Operators don't care about their customers as they are guaranteed occupancy by the TO.


When I book flights I weigh up the cost vs convenience. If BA's final cost for a flight is going up (on an already overpriced flight, with probably no meals and little legroom) I'll not be tempted to use it.

Now if England score 600 and the Aussies 100 and I get through on the 'phone then I'll suffer the trip to Australia (if it's a return that is!)

Hi blindman,

Completely agree with many of your comments, however would like to correct a few things.

Ok....the advantages of doing a package where the Travel Agent 'put's it together' as a package using their atol licence are many. Firstly...as an example...say the airline used went bust (like eujet) it's the ta's complete responsibility as it's under their atol (therefore they become the tour operator) to find another flight at their expense. If you book it on your own-you're stuffed in lot's of ways, as although you may get the money back(either by your card company or if you are very luck from the airlines trust fund) you'll have to re-book at possibly a far higher price (nearer you get with low-costs the higher flights in general go).

Secondly, having an atol licence allows travel agents to get rates from ground handlers that do not supply the public. In fact, these ground handlers supply the likes of med hotels, alpha beds, etc (hotel & accom web-sites). Now obviously these comapnies pay agents commision & have to make some money themselves so the hotel is marked up from these ground agents by 25% for use on the afore-mentioned sites.

So...if you book thorough an atol agent if they load the accom by say 12%-15% its still cheaper to book it with them (with all the protection) than to do it yourself!

I completely agree that your average high street agent quoting thomson, airotuors, etc can in 95% of cases be beaten hands down by 'packaging' but a good specialist can do this for you both providing the same (if not cheaper) deal that you could do yourself.

Don't tar all us agents with the same brush.....there are plenty of ways to get good deals & agents can help.I've been looking back at some very old posts on here by travelman-good example is the rates that were put up for the camari gardens apartments in crete-a good 30% cheaper than their web-site.

Hope the above is of interest & again I do agree with many points. The travel trade does itself no favours with it's pricing!

alanrowell

BA surcharge is now £60 for long haul - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4225298.stm

blindman

the advantages of doing a package where the Travel Agent 'put's it together' as a package using their atol licence are many. Firstly...as an example...say the airline used went bust (like eujet) it's the ta's complete responsibility as it's under their atol (therefore they become the tour operator) to find another flight at their expense.

It may be their responsibility but how many times have we heard that they avoid this at all costs!

So...if you book thorough an atol agent if they load the accom by say 12%-15% its still cheaper to book it with them (with all the protection) than to do it yourself!

Not necessarily so, hotel web-sites have special offers etc which undercut this + one can use Priceline in the US and now more in Europe to get very good deals.

IMHO TA are in the same group as Estate agents and Second-hand car salesmen.

There may be an odd one or two that are 'Good Eggs', but the way their 'industry' is geared, very low basic pay with commission earned needed to bring their salary up to a decent level, most are in it for themsleves.