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Original poster

I've booked my flights with Thomas Cook for 2020

80 replies

ThomasCockItUp · 15/09/2019 11:49

First family holiday abroad.

Am I fucked?
Paid with debit card.

Would normal travel insurance cover it if they go under?

Am stressed!

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 15/09/2019 21:24

*Travel insurance only gets you home if you have already made your outward journey.

Not true. Many insurances cover if you need to cancel for any reason, like an accident*

I meant if the airline goes bust. We had cover but because we hadn't made our outward journey with monarch so weren't covered.

Luckily we got our money back from our credit card.

Agree that a credit card is a lot of help here. There's so many advantages to credit cards that have nothing to do with borrowing money or getting into debt that it's a bit 'cut your nose off to spite your face'.

KosmoKramer · 15/09/2019 21:38

I paid by debit card for my Low Cost Holidays booking that went under. I got every penny back via Visa Debit Chargeback. Please don't worry.

KosmoKramer · 15/09/2019 21:39

Just go through your bank and they organise it all. The money was back in my account within 48 hours of placing the claim. This is exactly what the chargeback scheme is for. The money is given from TC's bank, not TC.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Flying Holidays
Crunchymum · 15/09/2019 21:49

FFS we've booked our first family holiday in 6 years for 2020.

I think I have travel insurance with work (their kids may too but DP won't) and we pay by monthly DD.

Anyone know if we are going to lose our money and / or holiday Sad

donquixotedelamancha · 15/09/2019 22:06

DonQuix. I don't have a credit card. So can't.

I understood that, it was a suggestion for the future. Most people can get a credit card with a small limit.

The info in my link or the one by MyDcAreMarvel about debit card chargeback is what you want.

Check what ohnana has said about Thomas cook airlines being a separate entity. You may not need specialist insurance or be at any great risk if this is so. If there is any reasonable chance you are flying then you should buy insurance asap.

Some travel insurance includes SAFI, but obviously you will pay more. I would phone up some expensive policies and see whether you would be covered. If they are all excluding TC then they are probably done for and chargeback is your only option. Usually reliable, but it's discretionary- the credit card cover is statutory.

Dieu · 16/09/2019 04:56

Hi all. I messaged a friend tonight, who works for TC. She says that she's not worried at all, and has two holidays booked with them for next year. She says it's scaremongering and nothing more.

PancakeAndKeith · 16/09/2019 06:20

Sorry @BarbaraofSeville I see what you mean now.

Op, it might be worth checking you don’t have travel insurance included in your home insurance or bank account.

MotherofTerriers · 16/09/2019 12:43

I really want to book flights with TC for 2020 - but it seems really risky. I'd be booking the hotel separately. I'm thinking of booking through an independent travel agent, I think that would give a bit more protection.

MT2017 · 16/09/2019 17:21

We have booked through Love Holidays too for August 2020, Thomas Cook on the way out and Jet2 on the way back (just because flight times were really late with TC).

Never had any issues with Love Holidays before and would recommend them.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 16/09/2019 18:07

Genuine question - why do people book their holidays so far in advance? How do you know where you'll fancy going? I generally just book something a few weeks before I go.

TravellingSpoon · 16/09/2019 18:13

Crap. I have booked with TC for the first time ever for a holiday next October, and have been paying by DD.

loutypips · 16/09/2019 18:23

*I've haven't booked travel insurance yet.

Shall I do it now? And make sure there is airline failure?

I hadn't booked insurance as its not for a year*

Well it doesn't matter how long away, you should really buy that first (or best an annual policy).

Yes, supplier failure cover is very important, but seeing as that's already in the news, not sure it would cover you now.

MT2017 · 16/09/2019 19:02

@thstmustbenigelwiththebrie because there are 5 of us and we want different things, so as soon as we see somewhere that fits the bill we book it. This time, it popped up as a Love Holidays recommendation, was 5* rated on TripAdvisor too and that's enough for me!

We want clubs for different age children (teens and preteen); AI; decent food; WiFi; pools; activities; during specific dates in August etc etc. And either a family suite or 2 rooms next to each other. If we booked that with a few weeks to go we would be very lucky to get any of it!

Original poster
ThomasCockItUp · 16/09/2019 19:25

ThatmustbeNigel

I'm on a low income. Booking in advance gives me time to pay the holiday off. If I try and save cash there's always a bill to pay or shoes to buy and it just doenst happen.

Booking with a deposit gives me time to pay it off.

OP posts:
LazyLizzy · 17/09/2019 09:35

Genuine question - why do people book their holidays so far in advance?

Agree with OP. I like to book before something else comes up that could scupper my holiday. I love having it all booked so I've got something to look forward to and to save for. I've got 2 booked and paid for next year, will be taking another holiday later on in the year but we haven't settled on a destination yet.

BarbaraofSeville · 17/09/2019 09:40

I can understand booking a long way in advance if you have to go in the school holidays, or want to go somewhere specific but I don't understand how paying for the holiday is any different to saving up and booking later.

After all, if you need shoes or get an unexpected bill between booking the holiday and it taking place, you don't have any more money, the holiday and the shoes/bill whatever all still need to be paid for and you have the same amount of money, so the only difference is that you would either have to do without something else, or get into debt, to ensure that everything is paid for.

IcaMorgan · 17/09/2019 11:18

I’m booked to fly home from Majorca with them in 3 weeks. I booked through teletext Holidays last year so I’m hoping they sort any problems out. I fly out with Norwegian and home with TC

joblotbubble · 17/09/2019 16:32

@IcaMorgan

You will be fine. They have been given more time. 1st October is the key date now.

Sorry OP not helpful for you but it may be seen as slightly positive.

Original poster
ThomasCockItUp · 17/09/2019 16:44

Barb,

Well everyone is different. I find this works best for my family.

You don't expect a massive airline like TC to go under.

OP posts:
LazyLizzy · 17/09/2019 18:07

Colleague is due to fly with TC airlines on 3rd October. Deadline for rescue deal is 1st October.

Does he take the risk of waiting or book alternative flights now?

I'd assume any available flights for the 3rd with another airline won't be available for much longer.

Witchofzog · 19/09/2019 19:16

Can anyone advise me too please. I have booked a package but the flights are with EasyJet. Will the flights still be ok at least?

Parker231 · 19/09/2019 19:24

What does your travel insurance provide in the event of collapse of the company/airline?

Parker231 · 19/09/2019 19:26

Witchofzog - I’ve not read of any difficulties with EasyJet - what have you heard?

Witchofzog · 20/09/2019 09:10

@parker231 I haven't heard of any problems with Easy jet but it's whether they have been paid by tc to run the flight I guess