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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I deserve more compensation?

132 replies

Birdsongsinging · 28/05/2023 09:54

We were due to go on a cruise holiday and the flight we were on was cancelled so we missed the boat. The holiday company have said they will refund us the cost and give us each £300 in their company vouchers.

I am thinking that £300 of vouchers isn’t very much for us now having taken a weeks holiday for nothing. Sat at an airport all day on the day we were meant to go and the following day had to wait to hear what was happening.

AIBU for thinking we should get more? And if so how do I go about it?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Birdsongsinging · 28/05/2023 13:43

Aprilx · 28/05/2023 12:43

There is no point ringing your insurance company as you have been reimbursed. Insurance companies do not pay compensation, they cover financial losses and expenses like medical costs, however you are not out of pocket, you are in fact in a profit situation, so there is nothing for insurance company to do here.

Show quote history

They cover you for delay as well so it may be that they pay out more. I haven’t accepted the company offer yet.

OP posts:
whynotwhatknot · 28/05/2023 13:45

I wouoldnt accept the vouchers useless to you

Original poster
Birdsongsinging · 28/05/2023 13:46

BungleandGeorge · 28/05/2023 13:41

Why was the flight cancelled? Was it beyond their control? (Eg weather, strikes, medical emergency?). Usually if it’s beyond their control it’s not their responsibility. It will be in your t&cs.

There were lots of delays which I don’t know the reasons for but we finally took off but had to return due to a fault with the plane. I can see why that would appear to be one of these things but apparently that is counted as their fault whereas ash clouds etc are ‘acts of god’

OP posts:
PucketyPuckPuck · 28/05/2023 13:49

A full refund of the holiday (flights plus cruise) plus £600 in vouchers sounds fair to me.

You might as well ask for cash instead of vouchers but i wouldn't personally put a huge amount of effort into it as i think its unlikely you'll be offered more.

Bouledeneige · 28/05/2023 13:56

Sounds fair to me. I would just have gone to work though as our leave doesn't work like yours. It doesn't matter if you clash or not and there are a lot if working weeks a year.

MMAMPWGHAP · 28/05/2023 14:12

I had a cancelled flight last week. I’m expecting Eu250 plus my extra (though pretty minimal) food expenses back. My flight was nearly into the next level of compensation (Eu400 I think). I would not accept vouchers unless you are getting the flight cancellation amount as well. Keep receipts for anything you bought during the delay. Don’t forget anything you may have paid extra to book a specific seat.

Check if the flight was over 1500km. They may be trying to get you to accept less than you’re entitled to.

TeaYarn · 28/05/2023 14:17

Decide what you want as an outcome and ask them for it. No point in saying you’re disappointed if you don’t tell them what you need as a resolution.

hedgehoglurker · 28/05/2023 14:17

There was a key detail missed up until now. You were on the (delayed) flight and actually departed?

Then you didn't wait for their transport to a hotel and possible remedies to get you on the cruise?

Obviously, you made the best choice for yourselves to return home. The compensation in the circumstances seems fair considering that you didn't allow them to remedy the situation. The delays were presumably out of their control, and I would be grateful for getting back safely if a fault was found on the plane mid-flight.

Glad you have an alternative holiday booked now. The weather is set to be glorious here!

AnaNimmity · 28/05/2023 14:20

Why don’t you take a week of parental leave and ask the airline to cover your wages for that time?

I agree the voucher plan is a poor solution, but please remember that this is MN and therefore you’ll experience a lot of hostility for even being in a financial position where you can actually go on holiday at all.

Littlethingsmeanalot · 28/05/2023 14:22

You seem to be saying we but proclaiming you only get comp. Are you not part of s family or couple going. How many were in the travel party?

Rosie332 · 28/05/2023 14:22

£300 in vouchers isn’t enough. They should at least give you an extra cash refund for petrol, airport parking etc.

I’m surprised how many people are saying it’s not the cruise ship company’s fault that the flight was cancelled. It’s a Tui flight for a Tui cruise, one of the big selling points of this package is that if they flight is delayed the ship will wait for you.

Littlethingsmeanalot · 28/05/2023 14:22

AnaNimmity · 28/05/2023 14:20

Why don’t you take a week of parental leave and ask the airline to cover your wages for that time?

I agree the voucher plan is a poor solution, but please remember that this is MN and therefore you’ll experience a lot of hostility for even being in a financial position where you can actually go on holiday at all.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

GoodChat · 28/05/2023 14:26

I'd have just stayed at the airport and booked another holiday for 4 nights

Original poster
Birdsongsinging · 28/05/2023 14:27

hedgehoglurker · 28/05/2023 14:17

There was a key detail missed up until now. You were on the (delayed) flight and actually departed?

Then you didn't wait for their transport to a hotel and possible remedies to get you on the cruise?

Obviously, you made the best choice for yourselves to return home. The compensation in the circumstances seems fair considering that you didn't allow them to remedy the situation. The delays were presumably out of their control, and I would be grateful for getting back safely if a fault was found on the plane mid-flight.

Glad you have an alternative holiday booked now. The weather is set to be glorious here!

No, we got on the flight but there was a fault so it turned back and took us home!

OP posts:
Original poster
Birdsongsinging · 28/05/2023 14:28

Littlethingsmeanalot · 28/05/2023 14:22

😂😂😂😂😂😂

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I dont have school age children any more!

OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 28/05/2023 14:29

what's the discount got to do with it? - you've got your money back + £300 each compensation.
disappointing - but you have a substantial amount to spend on days out or a short UK break.

Original poster
Birdsongsinging · 28/05/2023 14:31

GoodChat · 28/05/2023 14:26

I'd have just stayed at the airport and booked another holiday for 4 nights

Well, it wouldnt be that easy. It was midnight at the airport and we were told they would try and take us to a hotel but there were none available and so we would need to be bussed to the nearest city. They said they would tell us the next day what was happening so since we live in the same city we went home.

Didnt find out until late the next morning that the flight / holiday was cancelled and they couldnt offer us anything else.

If it was as easy as hopping on another flight we'd have done it. We still thought they were going to try and get us out to meet the boat.

OP posts:
Youcancallmeirrelevant · 28/05/2023 14:31

Your leave isn't wasted, you can still enjoy the time off work. £600 extra is generous imo

allthewoes · 28/05/2023 14:31

It is a totally crap but I'm sure you can book something else. A friend of mine missed her flight to Rhodes last week due to ridiculous security queues and they booked a flight for the next day from a different airport.

I'd even be tempted to book something in the UK given the weather. Go on the holiday cottages uk page on fb and ask what is available last minute. It's not a cruise but better than sitting at home.

hedgehoglurker · 28/05/2023 14:41

Birdsongsinging · 28/05/2023 14:27

No, we got on the flight but there was a fault so it turned back and took us home!

Show quote history

What is "No" the response to, please?

You said earlier that the flight took off, so it departed, yes. They didn't just shrug their shoulders and keep you waiting at the airport, as was implied throughout. The plane departed, so they tried to get you to the destination, despite delays and other difficulties. Unfortunately a problem with the plane was found so they got you safely back on the ground at your departure airport, which also lessened the inconvenience for you to return home.

Believe me, I understand that you are frustrated. I've been through delays, cancelled flights and a reroute to a different airport, but I'm pleased we are safe and still here to tell the tale. (No refund or compensation for us, as a storm was an Act of God out of the airline's control.)

Cosyblankets · 28/05/2023 14:42

Airport parking etc. Is that not a financial loss?
I would not be happy with vouchers if it restricted my options.
Regarding insurance the cancellation section is if you cancel eg sickness etc.

Not fully sure about cruise cover but surely they have a claim line that is open. What if you went to hospital or something on a Sunday or at night?

GoodChat · 28/05/2023 14:45

If it was as easy as hopping on another flight we'd have done it.

You could have booked a new flight the next day, though, when they told you the holiday was cancelled

theGooHasGone · 28/05/2023 14:47

I think a full refund plus £300 compensation per person is fair. Yes, it's vouchers, but the company seems to have been more than fair in trying to make sure you got there, arrange alternatives etc. You ultimately decided to go home rather than waiting for them to fix it.

It was simple bad luck that the plane had a fault - if you'd been able to go you'd probably have had a lovely time and been happy with the money you paid. There's no reason not to use the vouchers with that company to get a discount on another trip in future - any plane has a chance of having a fault which means it can't travel. They didn't cause it deliberately and there's no guarantee any other company wouldn't have a similar issue.

flumpalamp · 28/05/2023 15:46

InSpainTheRain · 28/05/2023 12:46

It's unfortunate but I wouldn't expect more. I'd try to book myself another slightly shorter break at the last minute though.

Then you're the dream customer. Accept poor treatment and no complaints. More fool you.

SunshineAndFizz · 28/05/2023 15:50

So to go back to my original question, what would you feel was a reasonable amount to get instead of £300 each?