Chuchinchow

Consider it done, old fungus.

Could it be that your real name is Peter Signature, that you are short, curly-haired, bearded and bespectacled, and that you and your Junoesque wife frequently endure "holidays from hell" after travelling on Fly-Lo airlines?

tb10er

Take a deep breath, and then get on with your life - you had a bad experience from a big company. It happens all the time.

Why don't you raise the case with a "no win, no fee" bunch of solicitors? Now there is a bunch of cowboys....

take-off

Is the website down? Been trying for half an hour to log on, Can't get on TC website,airtours????

JEM60

Used Thomas Cook many, many times. I have never had a problem with them. Having 1 bad experience is no reason to avoid them like the plague. I suspect that there are far worse firms out there than TC!. I would, however say that I always book in their travel shop, rather than on-line. [a] you are invariably talking to a pretty woman, and [b] Booked a Cruise with them on Tuesday, and they gave me 10% off the internet price!!.

Parapunter

Sorry Tightslot, I apologise unreservedly, it was irresistable to me, but I apologise to Agaricus and the moderators without reservation.

Joao da Silva

Let's try to summarise AG's beef, removing the invective.

1. He booked a ticket, without double checking the date before pressing 'continue'
2. He then receives a 'service' that seems not dissimilar to what many pax experience when trying to make changes with some low cost carriers
3. I infer from the that he also received a refund, which some may feel makes him rather luckier than others in a similar position with other carriers

I think the correct words should 'mea culpa', for everything appears to have flowed from his negligence in failing to double check the dates before making a contract with the carrier.

Mr @ Spotty M

Good post "JDS" l was thinking the same with reference to item 1 of your post and was tempted to be the first reply to this thread, but lack of time when l first read it stopped me.
I wonder what it would have cost if he tried to change his ticket with the likes of AF/KLM, BA or LH, as it is the date which is wrong and not an error in the name on the booking.

strikemaster82

Sounds like the OP is ranting about his own deficiencies. Check before you click with all these online booking systems.

Measure twice, cut once.

Fernanjet

Sounds like its completely your own fault....check the details before you click "confirm" and theres no problem...

ive never had a problem with them.....

then again...i read what im about to book first

Xpert

I know its already been said but .... Check the date before clicking continue!.... designed to book the wrong date so you have to pay the change fee.

Unlikely friend.

JetSetJim

Hi all - I'm off to Vancouver next week (TCX7K booked thru Canadian Affair) and have been doing much routing around to see if it's worth my while upgrading to premium.

There seem to be conflicting stories on the web - some suggesting economy is a rather spacious 33", but others suggesting Canadian Affair insisted TC removed 8 rows of seats to squeeze in another 50 or so pax!

Does anyone know if this was a temporary thing, a trial, a summer only revison, or a permanent fixture on their A330s to Canada?

Any input would be appreciated to spare me the achey limbs which wont make skiing much fun!!

Thanks all! JSJ

cockney steve

Unfortunately, intentional or otherwise, many "sharp practise" companies DO have websites that have undesirable consequences to their "attempts" to "help" the customer.

If the O.P. was not aware that his inputted data would be arbitrarily substituted with whatever the site-owner was trying to offload, I hardly think it's his fault.

He was, perhaps, somewhat naive to trust the honesty and integrity of the site-operator and it's programmers,but that's another story.

A brief letter to T.C's Company Secretary, outlining the "swindle" he feels has been prepetrated on him and requesting financial redress to be settled promptly and amicably , before resorting to County Court action, should get results.

Don't forget your telephone and postal costs! If they don't cooperate, issue a plaint, it's unlikely to cost more than ~£30,which the loser stands.

These cases are normally not contested ,as the Company's costs would be several times the small amount (I'm guessing under £100) of the claim.

If you feel you have a genuine claim, don't be afraid to hit the big boys....under the small -claims procedures, they CANNOT claim any of their very expensive legal costs.

The lies, misinformation and marketing misinformation should be sent to sales manager and Managing Director, together with copies of the original letter/reply (if any)....make sure there's a clear "CC" list of all adressees on everything......stops the buggers pleading the "i never knew about this" routine.


If they give you grief, just rattle their cage really hard....it's not a popularity contest,-it works.

Sir Herbert Gussett

Thomas Cook's a decent airline... the only issue I have is the legroom isn't the best!

Kestrel_Stu

JSJ,

The A330s operating on Canadian Affair routes were indeed increased to 354 seats last summer at the request of Canadian Affair, but have all been returned to 323 (or 325) config over the winter - so 33" in economy (35" in premium IIRC).

You should be fine.

JetSetJim

Ah bonus Kestrel Stu! Thanks for the swift reply!

GROUNDHOG

I fly this route often, have you thought of paying for extra legroom seats if you do not want to go full premium economy, it is much cheaper? Great to hear premium is back up to 35", last time I flew I vowed never to travel with TCX again as I found the 34" pitch still too tight and uncomfortable, the armrests are fixed down and as a six footer I would rather pay BA the extra for WTP. If you look at the CA website though it says TCX is 34" and Air Transat is 35" so may be worth checking. IFE is poor but the crews are always friendly and service adequate considering what you pay. Only once would I describe it as really good.

I have never flown down the back end but have relatives who are regular flyers who say it is pretty uncomfortable and very cramped, if you are on the tall side seriously think about upgrading. It is also great not having to stand in a long line to check in plus the extra baggage allowance.

On the plus side I have probably made a dozen crossing with TCX and they have always been on time and no problems with either the CA booking process or at either end.

Hope that helps.

occasional

I have never come across an airline website which did not have flaws which might lead directly to an incorrect booking. And one of the most dangerous things you can do is to go back and try to check that you have input the correct information.
As I remember it, even the best airline website is capable of changing your airport of origin if you choose the most unfortunate sequence of events.

If it happened to me I would try to work out why the booking was wrong by trying to repeat the sequence of events and then write to the airline explaining why I felt entitled to a refund.
If the letter looked reasonable I would post it. And if the response was not satisfactory the Small Claims Court (in England, not Scotland ) has always worked well for me.

And if you have any doubt about a booking, start all over again.

A2QFI

Well I have had a problem every time I have booked, and face to face in a shop On the first occasion I booked sflight for May based on sensible departure times. When I collected my tickets at the end of April there was a letter in the folder, addressed to me and dated January and not sent to me, telling me that my flights had been brought forward 10 hours and inviting me to call at the shop to discuss alternative plans. Too ****** late!

I was recently forced to book with them again as they operate the only direct flight to my destination. All went well until I tried to pay with my TC credit card (valid to 10/11) and it was rejected. I paid by other means and when I got home rang to ask what went on. I was told that the expiry date was irrelevant and the card was deleted from their system, without notification, as I hadn't used it for 12 months.

They are not a Lo-Co airline but they charge extra if you want more than 15kg to check in and only allow 5kg of cabin baggage in something the size of a very small sports bag. The flights may well be punctual and possibly comfortable but the admin that leads up to them is a bit creaky.

SLF-Flyer

What seat pitch can be expected this year on the A330 Gatwick to Halifax. Is it worth paying for the upgrade.

GROUNDHOG

SLF FLYER - My last flight with TCX the seat pitch was not as advertised so I would say yes without a doubt, premium will be at least 34" and poss 35" but seats are wider so more comfortable. It is more than that though the dedicated check in is so much easier, priority baggage quicker and service is a little more bearable.