TUI

[jalapenopoppers]

Thought I’d post my recent experience with TUI in case it’s of use to anyone travelling with them in future.

We recently went on a TUI package holiday. Booking the holiday for 2 adults and one baby. In advance of the holiday I called TUI to ensure a cot was requested on the booking - they do not do this automatically despite knowing a baby is on the booking. They told me it was noted and then proceeded to try and upsell my baggage allowance, trips etc.

We arrived at the resort and were told there were no cots available, leaving my baby with nowhere to sleep. I called TUI to ask why I wasn’t told in advance that there would be no cot so I could make alternative arrangements, and they said cots can’t be guaranteed (this didn’t answer my question of why they couldn’t tell me that in advance so I could make alternative arrangements).

TUI made two suggestions - the first, that my baby slept on a sofa bed in the room - I don’t know the suggested age for sleeping on a sofa bed but I am pretty sure this doesn’t follow safe sleep guidance for a baby. Their other suggestion was “put the baby in your bed” - I’m a big believer in parenting however is best for you and your baby so have no issue with co-sleeping if that works for you and your family, but I do believe a travel agent suggesting that you “put the baby in your bed” is inappropriate as they may suggest it to someone who doesn’t know how to do this safely.

I personally found a solution that worked for my family. However, I wanted to flag to other parents that this can happen with TUI. Personally, I find it astounding that a travel agency of their size can’t draft hotel contracts to say any person staying must have a bed and if a bed can’t be secured whether for an adult or baby they must be informed in advance…

They’ve told me that I should use my 10kg baby luggage allowance for a cot in future so something to consider when you’re packing clothes, nappies, milk, snacks, pool toys, toiletries, thermometers etc etc!

Hope this post helps someone out there avoid a similar situation in future.

That’s pretty rubbish tbh. Thanks for posting.

I think you can take travel cots on Easyjet for no extra cost. It’s a pretty basic requirement to need a travel cot. Not that I think you should have to take one with you.

Thanks - good to know for any future trips.

For anyone reading this ahead of packing for a trip, I've been reading the TUI website this evening and TUI allow two pieces of equipment (car seat, pram, travel cot) free of charge. So it isn't always the case (as the person on the phone at TUI told me) that the travel cot would need to come out of your 10kg infant luggage allowance.

That’s appalling, if you request a cot they should provide one or tell you in advance that it’s not possible so that you can then bring one. It isn’t realistic to just have one with you in case and your baby can’t be expected to go without.