Roundasapound,

what a nightmare....words fail me (and that's rare). You have my sympathy.

I'll also help as best as possible by first suggesting you contact Ros Fernihough on 01922 621114. She's a solicitor specialising in travel complaints and has recently resolved my problems most satisfactorily.

You booked with Thomas Cooks for Alitalia flights. You also booked the hotel and transfers with Medhotels. I'm guessing therefore that you were not on a Pckage Tour

This is the first element to be determined as your rights under the 1992 Package Tour and Travel Regulations would grant you some redress against the Tour Operator for their poor performance.

If you're not on a package tour you must lodge complaints against each individual company. I understand Alitalia refunded you the full cost of the flights. Check this with Ros, there may be a required to further compensate you. EU regulation 261/2004 gives full details of the airline's responsibilities in the event of a cancellation or refusal to permit you to fly. You were 'Bumped' and I believe you are entitled to compensation based upon the distance of the flight and within/without EEC. Ask Ros.

When you transferred to Lufthansa it became their responsibility to transport you and your luggage. Their failure to get you luggage to you is their fault entirely and you should seek a full refund from Lufthansa for the taxi fares to/from the airport to collect your luggage.

The Medhotels voucher for the transfer from airport to hotel probaly states the departure and arrival airport codes, the flight number and the expected arrival time at Tunis. I have a Medhotel transfer voucher for Luxor (next Feb) in my hand. There's no information about validity being related to the flight/carrier or arrival time nor does the document state that late arrival will result in the voucher becomming invalid. Contact Med Hotels in the first instance and ask them for a written explanation as to why they felt the trabsfer could not have been arranged and also request from them a refund for the value of the voucher.

Then, contact Alitalia explaining that as a consequence of being 'bumped' your transfer from Tunis airport to the hotel was void and your costs for a taxi were £75.

I would expect Alitalia to be responsible for this cost, minus the value of any refund back from Med Hotels re. their transfer voucher.

You lost 5 hours of your holiday time (resulting from the later Lufthansa flight) and had you been on a Package Tour you could have sued the Tour Operator for that loss. However, I guess that's not possible as you booked elements individually.

My guess........ Alitalia will not refund any further without some legal pressure. Med Hotels might refund a modest element of the transfer voucher is their terms and conditions of booking don't make it clear a flight change constitutes cancellation of the voucher validity. I think that if you can prove you 'phoned Med Hotels before the expected arrival time in Tunis you may have some leverage. I'd guess you would have been transferred in a coach along with other passengers on your initial Alitalia flight and hence the transportation 'costs' are unaffected by your absence.

Finally, why did Alitalia only refund you £343 when your flight costs were £365.70? Where's the missing £22.70? Did you by chance discuss with the other 'bumped' passengers their intentions and did you exchange names/contact details?

Ring Ros. I'm no expert, she is.

Mike

Well put Mike
Ooer put Alitalia airlines into google and there are some interesting results.

Very interesting reading Glynis is it not, I totally agree with Mike go for it Roundasapound and good luck
Margaret(madmum)

I just couldn't believe this when i read it. How awful you must have felt on what should have been the 2nd day of your holiday. the stress that you feel when this happens is unbelievable.

Thanks guys . I just feel glad to be back and to have such kind people supporting me.

While I was in Tunisia, I also became ill and had to see a doctor. An injection in the rear, medication I'm still taking and was told to stay out of the sun for 3 days and stick to eating fruit, salad, bread and just water. The doctor told me this on the Tuesday and I was leaving on the Saturday The plus side is I guess I've lost about half a stone.

I will phone Ros and seek some advice. I have printed this topic off, so I can follow the instructions.

Mike

I didn't get names of other passengers, I should have but at the time, I don't know what I was just in shock, then by the time that idea came to mind, everyone had dispersed elsewhere. I think I visited every shop in Terminals 1-3 to try and pass the time..lol

Now not-so-Roundasapound

Glad you're happy you lost weight, but it's not the ideal way to achieve the loss.

I had a delay and problems in summer at Manchester and kicked-off (albeit politely) with the agent at the desk. Gave her a hand-written letter informing her company of my disgust and strongly suggested the 15 or so passengers nearby should do the same. I didn't get contact details at the time but I later learned that a fellow poster here on H.T. followed-up the complaint, via Ros and like myself, was equally successful.

I'm sure Ros will sort you out.
Mike

Roundasapound,

found this link http://www.ecic.ie/topics/air_travel.html whist looking for info. for another complaint on this forum.

You were refused access to the flight and not offered any choices at the time as they 'did not seek volunteers'.

Compensation applies in this case together with an alternate flight OR full refund of ticket price. Ros will advise more accurately I'm sure.

This topic has fired me up (doesn't take much). Why, why do large companies/corporations continue to treat their customers with such scant regard.

Let us know with a posting in the future the outcome.
Cheers.
Mike

Hi Roundasapound

Have just read this with amazement. What a nightmare for you both.
All the best regarding getting some compensation.

The only thing that made me feel good was that the reception manager went with you to help - what a sweetheart .... there is hope!

Good luck

Us Prestos