To book with Thomas Cook…

[Pippa12]

I’m looking for a holiday May half term, they are eye wateringly expensive. We are limited with destination/resorts as we are going to see my parents who reside abroad and cannot travel. I’ve not seen them in so long, not going is not an option for me.

Has anybody booked with Thomas Cook? They are Atol protected with money back guarantee and free amendments. We were abroad when they went bust last time, nothing really changed, made it home on time.

Anybody out there booked with them? All good and bad experiences welcome. I’m so desperate to go and see my parents I’m wondering if my heartache is clouding my judgement.

To go with First choice/Tui/jet2 it’s >£1k more expensive m.

Just surprised that Jet2 is more expensive....always found them a lot cheaper than the others.....

Name changed for this... But as it says I wouldn't.
I worked for the original TC and know the people now running the UK offices. Wouldn't trust them, sorry. The product might be OK but the people now managing haven't got a clue what they're doing when it comes to customer service or any of the professional systems side so if anything needed to be amended I'm not sure they'd manage.
I was asked to go and join them and I knew what a nightmare it would be when I saw the list of people signed up.
You would be better looking around for a more reliable offer.

Ok thanks very much for replying it’s very helpful.

I thought TC went out of business? Are they back?

I will never book with them after the carbon monoxide scandal they had.

@NoLongerTroels No, they aren't really.
The Chinese company that had investments in the old TC towards the end bought out the name. They now run as an online booking agent only. They aren't a tour operator like before, don't own any hotels or an airline. Or any stores.
It would be like booking with IceLolly.com or Onthe beach.com.

Just a few old names in the UK head office. Not many of the 20k staff who got screwed over were offered a job back.

That's interesting @TheHuntingoftheSnark. I know a lot of people felt that way but the room where the accident happened was shared with all UK operators, it just happened to be booked by TC that day. All the firm's failed .TUI for example continue to use that hotel and no one boycotts them for it.
Also the childrens' mum contained to book her holdays with TC every year. Which was never spoken about.

I booked a holiday w TC in Oct but need to amend, I was sold on the 'free amendments' marketing but that doesn't include amending flights etc - they want £300 to amend our booking for 2 adults and a child! Not impressed.