We’ve all read stories in the press about tour operators collapsing and holidaymakers being left out of pocket. It’s the reason why all Thomson holidays are protected by ATOL – a government-backed scheme that means your money’s safe when you book with us, and we’ll never leave you stranded overseas.
It’s also the thinking behind some new rules, introduced today, that mean more holidays now fall under the ATOL scheme. Under the extension, ‘flight-plus’ holidays – that’s certain breaks that combine a flight with another element, and are booked within a specific time frame – are also covered. According to the BBC, some 6 million holidaymakers will benefit from the change.
There are still plenty of holiday types that aren’t covered, though – if you’re only booking your flight, or going down the DIY route and booking your flight and hotel direct from each provider, you won’t be able to claim under the ATOL scheme. To find out more about the new rules, take a look at the full BBC story. And to read about full ATOL protection with Thomson, just click here.
Hi
we were supposed to be travelling on the dreamliner on the 24th june 2013. We along with others are not doing this now. We purposely chose to travel from Manchester to specifically fly on the dreamliner. As this is no longer available why can’t we change our flight to our nearest airport (Newcastle)? We find Thomson very unhelpful with this matter and the customer service is non existant!!
Hi Emma, You can change to a regional airport nearer to you, as long as there is a flight available.
Hi Leanne
We have spoken to Clare the Manager @ Thompson Whitley Bay Branch who has unequivocally told us we cannot change flights because the package we have booked from Manchester is not available from Newcastle.
We are perplexed by this because an email from your programme change team states precisely what you said regarding only changing flights, the flight from Newcastle is on the same day as our flight from Manchester and we have confirmed there are seats available on it.
We need someone to cut through the red tape and simply put us on this flight.
Hopefully you maybe able to tell us who this person is?
Kind Regards
Emma
Hi Emma, Thank you for your question. Sorry to hear you feel this way. As this is a shop booking Emma you’d need to deal with this through that branch. This store has all your details and they’d be able to contact us while you’re in the shop. Hopefully we’ll be able to sort this out for you. We look forward to your call.
Thanks Stefan, we are going to the branch on Thursday, again, are you guys from the customers team??
And thank you for your quick response
Hi Emma, We’re all part of the Social Media Customer Service Team. I hope the branch manage to settle you issue.
Hi Thompson,
After following your advice to go to the branch and have them phone you on our behalf, we still find ourselves without a resolution to our problem. After speaking to the ladies in the branch it turns out the email sent to your Dreamliner customers is utter rubbish , as a different email was sent to your branches with a list of T’s&C’s that are not stated or referenced anywhere on the correspondence I received. I feel we are being a massive inconvenience for Thompson and are just being told no its not our fault it’s our system.
I do not expect to be treated like a king, only paying customer and I only want what was originally offered in the email from your programme change team. I would like to be contacted personally by someone who has the authority to simply move us from a flight in Manchester to a flight in Newcastle, I don’t think it is to much to ask for.
Emma and Martin Bourne
Martbourne18@hotmail.com
Booking ref 0300/23116
Hi Emma, Thanks for your patience whilst we’ve tried to resolves these issues you’ve currently experienced. I’ve been advised that you’ll need to contact our Programme Change Team on 024 7628 0036 on Monday and they’ll be able to look into that for you. I hope that helps.
Hi,just had e-mail saying my flight on the dreamliner is no longer. we only booked the flight to try this airoplane standard, we fly with virgin to florida normaly,i think 20 pounds is an insult.Is there any chance of an upgrade for the flights.both ways. our flight was meant to be the first flight on May 3rd. £1200. for return flights for the two of us .to have the flight cancelled on the dreamliner.is very disappointing.hoping you can do something for us, Can you let me know a.s.a.p.
Hi Cheryl, I appreciate the disappointment that no longer flying on the Dreamliner has caused. To remain fair and consistent to all customers, we’re not able to offer any free upgrades. We’re refunding the supplement paid to fly on the Dreamliner, this is outlined in Our Agreement.
Hi our family are really dissapointed in this we booked our holiday for florida in June because i have fixed holidays. Holiday of a lifetime .We booked there and then because you hand flyiers of the new dreamliner you now have let us down £20 refund is a joke if you cant come us with the goods refund my money and i can book it when the dreamliner is ready .A REALLY ANGRY Richard Riddoch
Hi Richard, No one could have foreseen these circumstances and Boeing is working closely with the FAA to try and resolve these issues as soon as possible. We understand how frustrating and disappointing this news will be for you. Unfortunately these circumstances are out of our control as Boeing has failed to fix the issues with its aircraft in time to meet our flying schedules. The supplement that was paid by all customers to fly on our Dreamliner was £20 per person.
My family & I are booked to Fly to Florida with Thomsons at the end of June. We were sold the holiday on the benefits of flying using the Dreamliner aircraft and to be honest was the reason we never went shopping around because of this unique offering by the holiday company. As you continue to claim on the website ( which I think should be removed till issues are resolved) there are significant differences between this plane and alternatives on this route. If you are not able to deliver the goods as stated in the contract, is this a breach of this contract ? If so I assume I would be entitled to cancel with a full refund or be offered significant compensation. I am also concerned that there has been a lack of communication from customers services and that you still are advertising the Dreamliner on the website.
Damian Crombie
Hi Damian, Our planned Dreamliner flights have been removed over holidays departing in May and June from our website. In Our Agreement with you, we do advise that occasionally we may need to change you aircraft, if you need any more details on this, take a look online here – http://bit.ly/ZoPlwB. I can understand the disappointment this news will cause for those who were looking forward to flying on the 787 Dreamliner. Unfortunately these circumstances are out of our control as Boeing has failed to fix the issues with its aircraft in time to meet our May and June flying schedules.
I do not think that answered the customers question Please state if customers will be due a full refund if they choose to cancel holiday if Dreamliner is not the plane being used. I have also booked a holiday on dreamliner to florida which was main reason for going to florida again as after last year having to fly in an old First Choice plane which was almost unbearable I swore never to go to florida again if I was stuck on that old plane, and that was in premium, I hate to think what it was like in economy. I contacted travel agent to ask what compensation would be offered if the dreamliner was not being used I was advised, £10 per person, what a joke. I was advised that I am not paying any extra to fly the dreamliner!!! aye right holiday costs £800 more than last year thats a lot of inflation.
Hi, We’re currently in the process of putting in place contingency plans. As soon as Boeing confirm our delivery schedule, should there be any customers impacted, we’ll contact those customers to confirm all details.
What are your cancelation rules I’ve booked a holiday to America for 31 of us plus a wedding to fly on the new Dreamliner obviously with the problems with this new plane and that was one of the reasons I booked with Thomson I don’t feel like I could put my entire family at risk by flying on this plane I have all ready paid a 10,000 deposit would I loose this money if I wished to cancel please could you let me know ASAP yours mr r lonergan
Hi James, Thomson Airways has an impeccable safety record and we have stringent safety standards in place across our entire fleet, which will of course include the Dreamliner when we take delivery this year. We are very confident that you’ll experience all the customer benefits of this modern and sophisticated aircraft and arrive safely for a great holiday with your family. If you wish to amend you booking normal Terms and Conditions will apply.