Virgin Holidays have taken >£3k from account. Am at wits end

[chocoLit]

So would I be unreasonable for accusing Virgin Holidays for ruining Christmas?!?

We booked online last night. £3200. Paid full price. Flights & car hire for whole family. Dates Oct 2016. Holiday of a lifetime and not undertaken lightly.

An error message came up on screen asking us to call which I did this morning as soon as I could.

They're now claiming those flights don't exist anymore unless we pay them £1500 more.

OR for only £1k more they'll send us a different way with two stops instead of one.

As for the money, they won't return that sooner that 7-10 working days.

I feel like am being blackmailed here and almost at wits end.

Girl dealing was very pleasant but new to company so wasn't able to help much or any further.

Someone called 'Dave' is to be phoning me back but she's not sure when or what he's going to be able to do!!?

So, AIBU to turn up at Branston's door with the 3DC and have him explain why they're not getting their holiday!!!

Has anyone had this before? Any advice gratefully received.

Love that a poster is telling OP not to go to Florida as Ecuador is better! As it happens I would agree but presumably a fair bit of thought has gone into the destination.

Second that Trailfinders are absolutely the best company for long-haul travel, well actually any travel. They win best in business awards year after year and we've used them loads of times for quite complex travel arrangements and they are brilliant.

Not ever heard great things about Virgin it has to be said.

Really hope that you get it sorted out quickly OP, whilst knowing you will get the money refunded it is still very worrying until it is back in your bank account.

I feel for you OP, not sure why some are giving you a hard time. I always say that mistakes happen, but it is how the company deals with that mistake that makes the difference. In this case you have been treated very poorly indeed. I had a similar issue with a bank the other day and was treated appallingly. Money went out of my account but did not reach recipient's account so just in cyberspace somewhere. 3 hours it took, but eventually it was refunded within minutes when I spoke to someone with a brain and some intelligence.

Good luck!

Ecuador??

Whoever sits down and say do I fancy Florida or Ecuador?

It's two completely different holidays both (imo) absolutely amazing. But very different.

It's shit that you have had problems. I have flown with Virgin Atlantic 6 times they have always been fabulous!

Especially on the flight. The entertainment is fantastic and free booze!!! (Or rather included in the price but it's great to not be charged £6 for a baileys )

VA currently have direct flights for two weeks in October (not half term) for 2 adults and 3 children for a little over £3000 - that from London. No car hire or accommodation in that though. I am used to half term/school holiday prices so that seems fairly good. BA are over £1000 more. We book everything else separately usually.

If you post some basic details then maybe someone can search for some better prices/flights with another company, ready for when you get your money refunded.

I wouldn't be able to relax.

I have never booked a holiday abroad and as such as no experience of this. I would have been very shaky doing the initial booking and if this happened to me I would be extremely worried.

OP I second whoever said they always use Expedia. We always use them and they are unfailingly excellent.
Oh - and you go on holiday to where YOU want to go not where some goady internet random wants you to go!
I do hope you get it sorted

Sorry Choco. Not meant as a dig

Ohbehave1 I didn't take it as one, I was quite amused lol

The OP didn't ask for travel advice, theres always someone that looks down on Disney etc isn't there!

FFS AIBU is full of utter cunts at the moment. VH has taken the OP's money and won't refund it until possibly after Xmas. She can't do her big reveal on Xmas day to her kids because 1) she doesn't know if she'll be able to afford it as she doesn't know how much it will cost. And 2) without the cash back, she can't book it because 1).

This place is really becoming a swamp of horrible, horrible goady fuckers. I really think people should have to pay for membership or MN gets rid of AIBU. Because right now, it's just a place for no marks to come and give people who are upset a really good kicking. And that doesn't seem 'in the spirit of MN' to me.

OP once the dust settles and you get your money back go to thedibb.co.uk. British disney planning forum. Lots of people who will help you get good deal/not be ripped off by Virgin.

OK op, I did mean no offence. Ive not been to Florida but ibhave been to a 5 star all inclusive holiday in Cuba.... I ltb that booked it and needed two months in India to get over it.

Anyway I digress. Holiday booking is very complex , things go wrong. You will get the money back. Relax and book another one on another credit card.

I am gutted for you that ultimately you won't be able to go on the holiday. I too would be fuming that they won't return the money for 7-10 days whilst it sits happily in their account...

I worked somewhere that transferred all it's balance abroad overnight ever night due to the interest they earned that way!!!

Would love love LOVE to go to Cuba, we'd hoped for that for honeymoon but didn't manage!

That's on the bucket list for when kids move out

And I love all the assumptions that everyone not only has a credit card but one with thousands plus limit!

If they have taken the money and it's not just got a hold on it then aren't they in breach of contract?

1. Offer (of the flights @ the price advertised)
2. Acceptance of this offer by you
3. Consideration (money paid by you)

My boyfriend on Cuba, through no fault of his own, managed to get three sex workers and their pimp sold to him while I went for 10 mins for a number two. We tried to exit the bar sharply and they demanded we paid for the sex workers drinks and was threatened with a knife. It really upset me.

Yes, yes laguna

Now the fact that you are subsidising other people's drinking on VA flights would be enough to put me off, I'd far rather be paying the basic fare and pay for my own drinks such as they are.

scientist that picture is stunning, have always wanted to go to Cuba....

Its not them that are taking this long to Refund, this is how long it actually takes, blame the Banks, they will process it immediately but the Banks take this long afterwards. They had a System issue and are giving you options. This has ruined your Christmas? Some people....do you want compo as well?

At what point did I mention compensation Alice1983

I just wanted what I paid for and if not my money back so I can go elsewhere. Alongside decent customer services.

Fairly simple all things considered but if that puts me right up there with 'some people' then so be it....

If you bought anything else - a car, a dress, a handbag and they put the price up after you'd paid, you'd just get your money back. But somehow we're supposed to accept this utterly shit state of affairs as normal in the holiday industry.

Here's an idea whoever said that the the banks' fault - that VH takes the financial hit, rather than the people who book in good faith

The Banks take this long, your argument should be with Merchant Sevices and not Virgin. I agree re good Customer Service and they have offered you the options so I dont get why the rant. Unless they were really unhelpful or didnt expain something adequately to you?

Lynda... How long does a shop refund take to go on your Card?

that you think this is me ranting!!!!