Hi - I am really hoping some of you can give me some sound advice. My girlfriend recently booked a trip to Thailand to visit friends who are travelling. She booked with a company called Affordable Holidays (oh the irony). A week later, she was offered a new job and was told she would not get the time off to go on this trip. She rang Affordable Holidays and was told the £500 she spent with them booking the flights (the trip is not till August) was non refundable and non changable. She has a copy of the contract however and it was never signed - they said to her she had to sign it and send it back. Now I'm hoping there is something in this piece of information that means she can get her money back easily.
This is where I could use some advice. My plan was to ring them and say nothing had been signed, refund her please. If they refuse, then speak directly to the airlines (Qatar Airlines) and see if they can do anything, and at the same time threaten the company that I will go to the local press.
If anyone has any better ideas I'd be really appreciative!
By making a deposit she has entered into a "verbal contract" - signing and returning the documentation, is, in my opinion, secondary.
You do need to read the Terms & Conditions - what do they say?
Jumping up and down and threatening to go to the press will not help if the T&Cs say you lose your deposit.
May I suggest that you contact Ros Fernihough, Travel Law Solicitor who has helped many members of HT
Ros has offered our members free impartial legal advice.
Please note that Ros does not read or post on this board any contact to her must be made via :- Tel :- 01922 621114
You have far more chance of getting a successful outcome by speaking to a professional.
Please let us know the outcome. All feedback helps HT help others.
fwh
You do need to read the Terms & Conditions - what do they say?
Jumping up and down and threatening to go to the press will not help if the T&Cs say you lose your deposit.
May I suggest that you contact Ros Fernihough, Travel Law Solicitor who has helped many members of HT
Ros has offered our members free impartial legal advice.
Please note that Ros does not read or post on this board any contact to her must be made via :- Tel :- 01922 621114
You have far more chance of getting a successful outcome by speaking to a professional.
Please let us know the outcome. All feedback helps HT help others.
fwh
Many thanks.
Hi usually when you book a cheap fare you should be told at the start that it is non refundable or transferable.
However you should still get the airport tax back.
I don't think you will get your refund as its not the Airline's fault that she cannot go.
No harm in trying though,hope you are successfully.
However you should still get the airport tax back.
I don't think you will get your refund as its not the Airline's fault that she cannot go.
No harm in trying though,hope you are successfully.
Hi there
Is it not possible to ask the new employers if they would honour the already planned and booked holiday. I have found that new employers are usually helpful on this if you have already booked something. Maybe she could offer to take it unpaid?
Bizzilady
Is it not possible to ask the new employers if they would honour the already planned and booked holiday. I have found that new employers are usually helpful on this if you have already booked something. Maybe she could offer to take it unpaid?
Bizzilady
Thats what I was about to sugggest Bizzilady.
If its not till August and she is starting the job in the near future, well surely a lot of people would be in this position, having summer holidays booked. Most companies I have joined at this time of the year would expect people to have a holiday booked.
I really feel that any reasonable company would take the view that it is not their responsibility that you can no longer travel.
If it was illness or bereavement then your insurance would cover it, but this isint the case here.
To threaten to go to the press over this in my opinion is a bit unfair. The company hasnt done anything wrong in expecting you to honour your committment to them. People get very het up when companies treat them badly, well it works both ways in my opinion.
The fact that you havent signed the contract may legally give you a get out and Im sure Ros will give you the best advice on the way forward.
If its not till August and she is starting the job in the near future, well surely a lot of people would be in this position, having summer holidays booked. Most companies I have joined at this time of the year would expect people to have a holiday booked.
I really feel that any reasonable company would take the view that it is not their responsibility that you can no longer travel.
If it was illness or bereavement then your insurance would cover it, but this isint the case here.
To threaten to go to the press over this in my opinion is a bit unfair. The company hasnt done anything wrong in expecting you to honour your committment to them. People get very het up when companies treat them badly, well it works both ways in my opinion.
The fact that you havent signed the contract may legally give you a get out and Im sure Ros will give you the best advice on the way forward.
I agree, I have never had a problem with companies honouring booked holidays. If I had a holiday booked and they insisted I work then I would ask them to reimburse me for costs, however I have always informed employers if I have had any holidays already booked after I have been offered the position.
I would suggest speaking to the employer.
I would suggest speaking to the employer.
Companies normally honour pre-booked holidays when you start with them. I changed jobs last July and had 3 holidays booked. 
I asked if they would honour them before I accepted the position and they agreed no problem.
luci
I asked if they would honour them before I accepted the position and they agreed no problem.luci
If your ticket is with Qatar Airways and as you say none refundable /none transferable they will not give you a refund.
I don't want to turn this into a debate, however, whilst a prospective employer may be willing to agree to honour a pre booked holiday it is really your problem and not theirs.
There can be many reasons why they are unable to do so. It is s goodwill thing on their part and not a right that you have.
Rather than confuse the issue I would suggest waiting until Ros has given her advice.
fwh
There can be many reasons why they are unable to do so. It is s goodwill thing on their part and not a right that you have.
Rather than confuse the issue I would suggest waiting until Ros has given her advice.
fwh
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