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Holidays

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Original poster

Low Cost Holidays in administration

109 replies

BellMcEnd · 15/07/2016 19:35

Haven't seen a thread about this yet.

We have (had?) a week long, all inclusive holiday booked for the very end of the school holidays. We've just found out that Low Cost Holidays have now ceased trading and are in administration.

I'm so aware that this is, for us, is a first world problem and that there are people who have lost their jobs, are stranded abroad etc but this is the first family holiday we've had in years and we're pretty upset.

Not told our 3 DCs yet.

Anyone else in the same boat (ha ha

OP posts:

HarlettOScara · 16/07/2016 06:40

upshitstreet, if your debit card is Visa debit then you may be ok.

HarlettOScara · 16/07/2016 06:51

More info here on debit card charge backs.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/travel/2016/07/low-cost-holidays-calls-in-administrators

Enjoyingthepeace · 16/07/2016 06:57

The impossible girl, same as us, we booked through an agency but supplier is low cost holidays.

Have you been told you will get a refund? We have but I don't see how, I think they're just saying that because how are we entitled to a refund..

But you only ATOL protected if you booked flight and hotel combo. NOT if you booked hotel as a stand alone, which is what we did

upsh1tstreet · 16/07/2016 07:02

Yes it was visa debit. I have filled out a claim via my banks website just now. Just praying I get something back.

BarbaraofSeville · 16/07/2016 07:03

Nonno A lot of travel insurance doesn't cover supplier failure anyway, but you should always buy it at the same time as you buy your holiday. If someone became seriously ill and couldn't travel you need the travel insurance in place before this happens for it to cover your holiday

But I am totally with you about being worn down by being responsible for every organisational decision, but I don't think I'd trust DP to book a holiday 'properly' anyway with suitable accomodation, flight times, best price, a hire car that isn't riddled with inclusions and rip offs etc etc.

Blu · 16/07/2016 07:19

I booked with LCH for a Feb half term break. I asked about ATOL and was told that they had exactly the same security via a Spanish system. It looks as if they were lying.

JedRambosteen · 16/07/2016 07:20

Yes, the insurance should always be purchased at the same time ad the holiday as even a single trip policy covers the period between bokkong and the outbound trip, as well as the actual holiday. We had to claim once for a full cancellation due to one of us being hospitalised in the run up to our holiday & not being fit to fly.

NonnoMum · 16/07/2016 07:57

Thank you but I KNOW the cancelation should be bought at the same time but i'm just bracing myself for the maelstrom from my husband about my failings when I'm trying to deal with my kids' disappointments and the same time and also looking for an evening job to supplement my income, that will fit round the many demands of family life and the need for childcare etc...

Original poster

BellMcEnd · 16/07/2016 07:58

We took out full insurance. Guess who with......... We can't access it now as they've frozen everything.

Only positive thing is that we're not due to fly until the very end of August so maybe there's a chance things will be sorted?

for all my fellow Low Cost victims

OP posts:

Original poster

BellMcEnd · 16/07/2016 07:59

Oh, Nonno I'm so sorry. You have a lot on your plate. I think that anyone would struggle with all of that.

OP posts:

Coconutty · 16/07/2016 08:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ditsy4 · 16/07/2016 08:07

So sorry for you. I hope the bank can do something.

smellylittleorange · 16/07/2016 08:14

Feenie Eeek I was told all flights were paid for - we checked in and got tickets and everything how on earth does that work??? I'm with easyjet too. I can't see that the flights wouldn't have been paid for as flight companies usually do not operate on a credit basis even with intermediaries.

Just waiting to hear back from hotel in Kefalonia - we are resigned to fact that we will probably have to pay again - hope to god they actually have the booking we fly Sunday. the other annoying thing is when we booked the exchange rate was obviously a bit different - can't see exactly how much as it was all quoted in pounds - probably banking on having to pay extra 10 percent .

We are flying out Sunday and supposed to be looking at vow renewal venues . I'm having reservations now about asking my family to book a holiday next year with us when potentially - flight prices and accomodation prices could go through roof or companies could fail. Even living on the South Coast I can't guarantee good weather for wedding anniversary I was so looking forward to planning it all dont know what to do.

NonnoMum · 16/07/2016 08:24

Thank you, Bell... That was really sweet of you...

Enjoyingthepeace · 16/07/2016 08:49

Nonno, insurance would have done nothing. Nothing. In this scenario.

Silverstreaks · 16/07/2016 08:53

Just had an email from lowcost about the bankruptcy.
We're supposed to be going to Turkey in August.
Within two days our holiday goes from military coup to bankruptcy. And like a pp I haven't taken out insurance yet, that was something I was going to do today.

Enjoyingthepeace · 16/07/2016 09:06

MOST Insirance polices wouldn't have covered supplier failure.

NO insurance policy would have covered a non-ATOL protected supplier.

So don't beat yourself up for not buying travel insurance

Blu · 16/07/2016 09:10

Smelly: if you have your plane tix and check in s d everything you will be FINE.

Blu · 16/07/2016 09:10

For the flights, that is.

smellylittleorange · 16/07/2016 09:35

Thanks Blu I've called the apartments they are calling me back she was out and about on site on her mobile but said our name rang a bell and she thinks it is ok fingers crossed i'm more worried that they dont have our booking then if they do but we have to pay again IYSWIM as everything on Kefalonia is booked up or silly prices !

befrazzled · 16/07/2016 10:06

Quick update. Rang flight company, flights all booked, confirmed and paid for so ok there. Rang accommodation direct in Spain, they have all our details but obv have not been paid but have confirmed we can still have our rooms at the same price and to pay on arrival. Phew. Good luck everyone, hope you get sorted

Theimpossiblegirl · 16/07/2016 10:33

Enjoying: unless they're lying, the agent hasn't paid Lowcost yet, so our money is still with them (people not paying people may have contributed to the whole thing, so feel a bit bad about that). In theory, our rooms are on hold, but someone else can step in to broker through the hotel. I really hope so.

Nonno: I really hope you don't bear the brunt for this, insurance wouldn't have helped at all and there's no point blaming anyone for booking with them, we're all in the same boat and we're all organised, intelligent people. Shit happens and your DH needs to know it could easily have been him to make the booking.

smellylittleorange · 16/07/2016 13:25

Hows it going Nonno ?? Really hope you ok

We have confirmed with our hotel that Hotelbeds had cancelled the apartment - they were due to pay after we left. The owner was really apologetic on email even offered us a discount to rebook - taking the cost on the chin and looking on the bright side others in a less fortunate position and still overall the whole thing was a good deal. Will be trying the chargeback thing though.

I hope everyone else gets some news and peace of mind soon.

LIZS · 16/07/2016 14:09

I would guess, short term at least, hoteliers will want to keep your custom as chances of reselling rooms is low, especially in Turkey atm. Might not work for those with a few weeks to go or who do not have other funds to pay pending any refund though. Fingers crossed for those amid the uncertainty.

Feenie · 16/07/2016 14:31

Ours in Crete isn't honouring anything unless we pay double. We've looked at others and it's looking like we'll have to fork out around £500 extra. And that's only if Easy Jet confirm on Monday. Wish they would stop messing us about - we had checked in and got seat numbers and everything.

Only our transfer company has been nice - they got in touch with us and offered a 30% discount if we book again.

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