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Original poster

Sh!t.. holiday cancellation

152 replies

Inthefirepit · 07/07/2022 17:40

We booked a TUI package holiday, we paid a large deposit and since had a baby (baby was added), baby is now 7mo and has severe allergies, dr doesn’t want us to go before seeing allergy team and dermatologist (dc can’t wear suncream due to severe allergies) referrals have been made but won’t be seen before holiday.

Baby has been in and out of hospital, blue lighted, I’m talking turned blue in my arms reactions.

TUI has said we can’t get refund on the large deposit because the flights were outsourced due to them not being able to provide them, they’ve said their policy with third party flights cannot be refunded 😔

We always buy our travel insurance in the weeks before going, so don’t have travel insurance 😢 is there anything we can do? Or just put it down to us being stupid for not getting insurance when we booked it last year.

OP posts:
chiffchaffchiff · 07/07/2022 18:11

Crazycatlady83 · 07/07/2022 18:09

@chiffchaffchiff Thomson was the old name for TUI.

Ah it must have been Thomas cook then. It was definitely wasn't their own flights.

TheLaLaLady · 07/07/2022 18:15

If you claimed on insurance you would still have to pay excess anyway. I had to cancel a holiday once and the excess was £150 per person. How much deposit have you paid?

If the flights are outsourced to e.g EasyJet, could you contact them direct to see if you could amend the dates?

LIZS · 07/07/2022 18:18

You get the option to buy insurance at the point of booking. Unfortunately too late now. A package only covers you if the supplier lets you down or goes bust via ABTA or ATOL. Might you have any with your bank account?

DasGirl · 07/07/2022 18:18

@Inthefirepit is it easyJet?
You may have more success changing the flight date by going directly to them.

A few yrs ago we had booked flights with easyJet and accommodation separately. My MIL died a few days before we were due to go. Insurance wouldn't cover as she had been ill for long time so pre-existing.

EasyJet have a bereavement policy and they changed our flights by few weeks for small admin fee. We were also able to change our accommodation for minimal fee.

I know yours is a different situation but It's worth asking directly. You just never know

purplecorkheart · 07/07/2022 18:26

I would go back to TUI and say that you were not made aware that you were not booking the flights with TUI directly and was not told the implication of them booking via a third party. I would push for a refund as the package was not what you were lead to believe you were booking.

Somethingneedstochange · 07/07/2022 18:32

This is why it's always worth getting insurance to cover the cost of the holiday. I d to cancel one year. My mum who was coming with us found out she had cancer. Cost me £17.50 for the insurance I got a full refund including the deposit.

ExPatHereForAChat · 07/07/2022 18:38

OP, just to say I'm sorry this is happening.

Our DS also has severe allergies and we had to cancel a dream All Inclusive holiday when he was getting diagnosed and we were getting to grips with things (unlike you, we hadn't quite booked anything by the time allergies appeared so we didn't lose money).

Hes 2.5yo now and we're just back from a self catering holiday in Italy and it was a dream. You'll have some lovely family holidays in your future xx

stratforduponavon · 07/07/2022 18:42

It staggers me the number of people who just buy insurance just as they are going out the door! Just why? It’s not saving any money so why do people do it?

Its a genuine question by the way.

Dont get me started on people who don’t buy any insurance and then try and crowdfund through the Mail (and the sad faces!)

ilovesushi · 07/07/2022 18:42

We went on a TUI holiday when DS was little and had a health condition and was in and out of hospital. I researched the nearest hospital to the hotel before we travelled and spoke to the concierge/ reception desk on arrival and they could not have been more amazing or reassuring. They said they would call an ambulance if we needed one and organise a doctor for a non emergency. It was hotel staff rather than the TUI reps but I remember feeling secure that if he was poorly we would be in good hands. But if your doctor is recommending not to go, you should listen to that!

Louise0701 · 07/07/2022 18:43

Yes; you put it down to being stupid. Chalk this one up and hopefully you get answers soon so you can book another hol.

BoJoGoGo · 07/07/2022 18:46

On a different note how did you manage to get through to Tui I’ve been holding for hours on end for weeks now?

SophieJo · 07/07/2022 18:50

You should always buy insurance as soon as you pay for a flight or holiday.

birchtree77 · 07/07/2022 18:51

I would try harder to lean on them to postpone the trip. We had to do this with BA last year and we paid an admin fee plus the difference in flight costs.

as another idea - Could you pay to see a paediatric allergist privately before the trip? Just as another option? Might be cheaper than new flights. The doctor we saw also specialised in dermatology as these have significant overlap in kids. I’m not sure what wait time you are looking at but for the allergy clinic round here the wait was very long, so when my child was a baby we went private so we were sorted before/ during weaning, then we went back to the NHS clinic (also very good) when he was older. It was well worth it for that early support and no limbo.

dontcallmelen · 07/07/2022 18:52

Trouble is if OP booked over a year ago, the insurance policy would have probably run out by now anyway?
sorry the baby has been so unwell, does seem harsh.
we’ve had the same sort of issue with TUI & third party flights we were told it’s a direct flight just found out the flight has a one hour stopover, complained & told the same as you yet on the website/booking still saying it’s a direct flight.

Mummyoflittledragon · 07/07/2022 18:52

purplecorkheart · 07/07/2022 18:26

I would go back to TUI and say that you were not made aware that you were not booking the flights with TUI directly and was not told the implication of them booking via a third party. I would push for a refund as the package was not what you were lead to believe you were booking.

I would do this. It shouldn’t be buyer beware. They should have informed you at the time.

Youaremysunshine14 · 07/07/2022 18:58

Check your bank account if you pay a monthly fee for it – some of them come with travel insurance as standard.

notanothertakeaway · 07/07/2022 19:05

Check your household insurance policy to see if it includes legal expenses insurance. If so, it may cover the cost of a solicitor looking at it to see if you are entitled to a refund. Unfortunately, I suspect not, as it's not TUI's fault that you cant go

(This is totally different from travel insurance)

minipie · 07/07/2022 19:09

purplecorkheart · 07/07/2022 18:26

I would go back to TUI and say that you were not made aware that you were not booking the flights with TUI directly and was not told the implication of them booking via a third party. I would push for a refund as the package was not what you were lead to believe you were booking.

I agree - but push for a date change not a refund, they are FAR more likely to agree to that.

EllaBella41 · 07/07/2022 19:12

Is it woth creating a bit of bluster on social media? Shame them and see if they offer anything better?

Hope your little one is okay too.

linenalltheway · 07/07/2022 19:12

I feel for you it sucks but think about how you will feel in 5 years' time - no holiday is more important than your baby's health and the flight money will seem like a small amount to lose to help them on the way to getting better

bluebeck · 07/07/2022 19:15

I don't think there is anything you can do sadly. Lesson to everyone who doesn't get their travel insurance annually or at the same time as they book their holiday Sad

I hope your baby makes progress and you get the support you need.

Clarinet1 · 07/07/2022 19:16

Sorry OP, but when you booked the holiday you must have already been several months pregnant; Did it
not cross your mind that there was a risk that you might have problems recovering from the pregnancy or delivery or that there might be some kind of health issues with the LO and therefore insurance might be wise?

Hollyhead · 07/07/2022 19:18

Op I think people are mean for kicking you when you’re down re insurance. I would suggest social media/ants/R4 money box approach, it doesn’t seem right the fact that you didn’t know you were on a 3rd party flight.

Harrysutton · 07/07/2022 19:19

Sorry if anyone else has asked but do you pay for your current account (banking) if so you may have insurance included. I do with HSBC.

Leftbutcameback · 07/07/2022 19:19

Would there be an option to change your holiday to a time when it would be easier to use TUI flights, so at least if you have to pay for new flights they are cheaper ones (or even easyJet?)