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Original poster

Frustrating holiday situation, anyone else in the same boat?

15 replies

SunflowerOwl · 05/05/2021 07:30

Just wondering has anybody managed to have any success getting a full refund from the likes of Tui/First Choice, or if anyone is in the same boat as me!

I'm booked to go to Morrocco (booked pre pandemic for May 2020 then moved at an additional cost) at the end of May which is tipped to make the green list, but as we aren't vaccinated yet and there are still so many restrictions in place I don't want to go. I'm pregnant so I really dont want to take the risk of catching anything. But the FC website says they will only allow a free change to a later date if the destination is amber or green. Which would be great if I could find anything that wasnt 50-100% more expensive and you have to pay the difference.

I feel like I'm either going to have to put myself at risk or lose all my money if the holiday goes ahead - does anyone know if there is anything I can do?

OP posts:

Imnothereforthedrama · 05/05/2021 07:38

I had my holiday booked for May 2020 and got my money back quickly I didn’t book another one because of the uncertainty.
I think it’s very difficult to just say you don’t want to go now if they are on the green list and you can go I wouldn’t expect a refund . They may allow you to move it again at a later date if you contact them .Check your travel insurance too .

Nootkah · 05/05/2021 08:05

I've not seen Morocco mentioned on any possible list of green countries yet. Fingers crossed for you.

Overthebow · 05/05/2021 08:11

If Morocco goes on the green list i don’t think you will easily get your money back as you’re able to travel. It would be like normal, if you decide not to it’s down to the t&cs.

Original poster

SunflowerOwl · 05/05/2021 11:10

@Imnothereforthedrama that was a wise move I wish I'd done the same. They will allow us to move to a different date but even the same exact week this time next year is an extra £250 each which is more than we can afford at the moment. I'd happily swap if the cost was the same.

@Nootkah thanks, I keep seeing it mentioned as green but I hope you're right!

@Overthebow thats what I thought, bloody hell!

OP posts:

TheCreature · 05/05/2021 11:12

Tui were awful last year. Took me MONTHs to get my refund back and that was only by emailing, trying to ring and leaving comments on their Facebook page every day and threatening court action

Will never use them again

lurker101 · 05/05/2021 11:17

Are you in an age group likely to be called for vaccination before your trip? If so, you may be able to get vaccinated in advance if that would make you feel more comfortable

EileenGC · 05/05/2021 11:21

£250 per adult for next year, what about the baby? Would they charge an extra fee for him/her? Technically they don’t need a seat on the plane and hotel cots should be free, but some companies do charge a set amount for babies. Keep that in mind when considering to move the holiday.

TheNinjaWife · 05/05/2021 11:23

We were booked to go on holiday with TUI this January, and then of course we went into lockdown. However just before this we went from a tier that was allowed to travel to a tier that wasn’t, even though the flight was still due to go ahead. We cancelled and got a full refund. Took one phone call and the money was in our account within 5 days, a full refund as the holiday was fully paid for by then. The only thing we lost out on was having to pay for visas.

Moondust001 · 05/05/2021 11:42

@TheCreature

Tui were awful last year. Took me MONTHs to get my refund back and that was only by emailing, trying to ring and leaving comments on their Facebook page every day and threatening court action

Will never use them again

My experience has been entirely the opposite. I have had two bookings cancelled by TUI, and was refunded within two days on both occasions. I have a third (which is actually a further booking that I rearranged from an earlier date) for the end of June which I am hopeful may go although I think it might be amber rather than green.

Original poster

SunflowerOwl · 05/05/2021 11:51

@lurker101 doubtful, DH is 30s and hasn't been called for his first one yet and I'm 20s. Holiday is only a few weeks away.

@EileenGC my post makes it sounds like I'd forgotten about the baby but we've taken that into account - theres no airline cost luckily but we are happy to pay a small admin charge for her!

Useful to know that some have managed to get refunds, thanks

OP posts:

BigWoollyJumpers · 05/05/2021 15:53

According the Telegraph, Morocco is one the "red" list.... so you may get a refund.

Nootkah · 05/05/2021 17:04

www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/travel-update-green-list-countries-5373559

Looks like the green list is indicated by the changes to travel advice

Frustrating holiday situation, anyone else in the same boat?

kessiebird · 05/05/2021 23:08

We amended our 2020 holiday which was booked pre covid, trying to support TUI into 2021. I don't think we were ever offered a refund. Now we head to Turkey in Early June. Now if Turkey is amber, we either take a hit of over 2k in test costs and lost earnings to isolate for 10 days or we amend again. No chance of a refund unless Turkey is red or the government moves the dates back. I just would like the money back now to think creatively for next year but not book anything yet, but there's only a small chance of getting a refund. TUI have sucked the joy out of holidays, much as I have sympathy for the staff worried about jobs etc.

Original poster

SunflowerOwl · 06/05/2021 08:07

Crossing my fingers very tightly that it will be on the red list.

Very similar to us then @kessiebird. We also rebooked partly because I felt awful for the travel industry.

The really annoying thing is I would happily swap to next year if the cost was the same but I'm really not okay to keep giving them more money for the same bloody holiday! A good solution really would be to let people move the dates without having to pay any increase in price I think.

OP posts:

kessiebird · 06/05/2021 13:11

@SunflowerOwl

Crossing my fingers very tightly that it will be on the red list.

Very similar to us then @kessiebird. We also rebooked partly because I felt awful for the travel industry.

Agree. Our original holiday from Aug 2020 is the same price for Aug 2021 so its now getting tempting to move June 2nd to Aug, but will Turkey and Spain be 'green' by then or will we be faced with the same issues.Next year seems more expensive. Best solution would be refund then we have full market access.

Also I know this is a first world problem in the grand scheme of things and people have much bigger difficulties. Jusy wouldn't mind TUI not putting us in this position!

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