"First Choice"
Feb 21, 2009 | 2:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rome, Italy
Programs: Alitalia Millemiglia , Lufthansa Miles & More; Starwood preferred guest Gold; Amex Membership reward
Posts: 102
"First Choice"
Absolutely in chock after finding out that the holiday we booked with First Choice about 2 weeks and an half ago, is now reduced of 600 Pounds PER PERSON ! Yes... we paid Ł1500 per person and now is Ł899 .
What can we do ? Are we allowed to complain ??? The departure date is March 4th, so I guess they'd clame this is a lastminute offer, but what a scam for us !
Anybody has a suggestion ?
What can we do ? Are we allowed to complain ??? The departure date is March 4th, so I guess they'd clame this is a lastminute offer, but what a scam for us !
Anybody has a suggestion ?
Feb 21, 2009 | 3:05 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rome, Italy
Programs: Alitalia Millemiglia , Lufthansa Miles & More; Starwood preferred guest Gold; Amex Membership reward
Posts: 102
from first choice faqs
“If any change in our costs would cause a reduction in your holiday price, we will not make refunds of amounts less than 2% of your holiday price (calculated as above), but we will refund in full amounts exceeding such 2%, after deducting an administration charge of Ł1.“
“If any change in our costs would cause a reduction in your holiday price, we will not make refunds of amounts less than 2% of your holiday price (calculated as above), but we will refund in full amounts exceeding such 2%, after deducting an administration charge of Ł1.“
Feb 21, 2009 | 3:24 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rome, Italy
Programs: Alitalia Millemiglia , Lufthansa Miles & More; Starwood preferred guest Gold; Amex Membership reward
Posts: 102
Am I interpreting it right, thinking we may be elegible for a refound ?
I have a doubt on the fact that it's less than 30 days before the departure date... so maybe they can reduce the price freely.
I have a doubt on the fact that it's less than 30 days before the departure date... so maybe they can reduce the price freely.
Feb 21, 2009 | 7:17 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,913
from first choice faqs
“If any change in our costs would cause a reduction in your holiday price, we will not make refunds of amounts less than 2% of your holiday price (calculated as above), but we will refund in full amounts exceeding such 2%, after deducting an administration charge of Ł1.“
“If any change in our costs would cause a reduction in your holiday price, we will not make refunds of amounts less than 2% of your holiday price (calculated as above), but we will refund in full amounts exceeding such 2%, after deducting an administration charge of Ł1.“
Feb 22, 2009 | 7:16 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,454
Did you buy trip insurance? If you bought a trip cancellation insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason, you could cancel, get a refund and book at the lower price. You would need to check the policy and see what it covers but you never know.
Feb 23, 2009 | 4:28 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,135
When you bought the holiday, you were happy with the deal you did. You thought you were getting good value, that what you were getting was worth what you were paying. They're now selling distressed inventory – possibly at a loss. Would you go back to shop in the January sales because the item you bought as a present in December has now been discounted? Welcome to capitalism. It works. My advice is to suck it up and roll with the punches. You're now putting yourself in a position where you won't enjoy your holiday.
Feb 23, 2009 | 4:39 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,913
Using your numbers above its actually 40%. I think when you ring you need to remember if they even decide to consider your request (which I rightly believe they will not) then they are doing you a favour. I'm sure if one of their suppliers had jacked the price of something up on them and they sent you a new bill after you paid requesting more money you'd be putting it straight in the bin.
Feb 23, 2009 | 9:59 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rome, Italy
Programs: Alitalia Millemiglia , Lufthansa Miles & More; Starwood preferred guest Gold; Amex Membership reward
Posts: 102
When you bought the holiday, you were happy with the deal you did. You thought you were getting good value, that what you were getting was worth what you were paying. They're now selling distressed inventory – possibly at a loss. Would you go back to shop in the January sales because the item you bought as a present in December has now been discounted? Welcome to capitalism. It works. My advice is to suck it up and roll with the punches. You're now putting yourself in a position where you won't enjoy your holiday.
I spoke to First Choice, and obviously they won't refound anything.
In italian , we have a motto : " if my grandfather had weels, he was a carriage" ...
So, the story of the "if" ... if i had waited to book my holiday for just a week.... it doesnt work.
I will enjoy the holiday, and pretend like I never new about the price
Next time, maybe, I will try a lastminute !