Absolutely Blazing Mad with Thomas Cook

KWC · September 19, 2013, 12:43:02 PM

Thomas Cook are not my most favourite airline in the world right now!

I booked and paid for my August 2014 flights to Fuerteventura last week. Today I received an e-mail saying they regret due to commercial reasons the flight has been cancelled

No other explanation than that.

When I called 10 nano seconds later the customer service women said it might be due to low take up of the seats. what the blazes - I told her that is complete and utter rubbish as its 10 months to go before the flight takes off. Oh then she says, maybe they are just pulling out of Glasgow!
Guess how long I will have to wait on my cash being refunded??

Nope wrong up to 28 days

what a mess as I have paid the deposit on the accommodation and will have to hunt about for alternative flights now.

Question where else do TC fly out of in the UK? Newcastle I guess is next nearest one!

Can the Man · September 19, 2013, 16:29:03 PM

Kenny, is there no Ryanair or EasyJet alternatives ?

KWC · September 19, 2013, 18:52:33 PM

Quote from: Can the Man on September 19, 2013, 16:29:03 PM
Kenny, is there no Ryanair or EasyJet alternatives ?

Nothing showing up for any other carrier outwith TC Can.

I guess they will post their flights in October?

glenys · September 19, 2013, 19:06:42 PM

Really sorry to hear your bad news. Easyjet flights for spring have recently come out so the summer ones shouldn't be long. It's usually posted on here as soon as they're released. Good luck.

KWC · September 19, 2013, 19:15:35 PM

Quote from: glenys on September 19, 2013, 19:06:42 PM
Really sorry to hear your bad news. Easyjet flights for spring have recently come out so the summer ones shouldn't be long. It's usually posted on here as soon as they're released. Good luck.

Thanks Glenys

Ggarlo · September 19, 2013, 21:54:53 PM

Hi KWC54. I'm new to posting although have been an avid reader of this site for years having first visited Fuerte in 1994 and many many times since. Don't live in Scotland but noticed when picking my Mum up from Blackpool in July, that Jet2 have been increasing their flights to new places from there so thought maybe I'd have a quick look on Google for you. It seems to have shown Jet2 flying from Glasgow next August. Hope that helps and I'm seeing it right and not leading you in the wrong direction!!!. Best of luck, I know that disappointment when it all goes pear shaped and hits the pocket as well!!

KWC · September 20, 2013, 08:07:59 AM

Quote from: Ggarlo on September 19, 2013, 21:54:53 PM
Hi KWC54. I'm new to posting although have been an avid reader of this site for years having first visited Fuerte in 1994 and many many times since. Don't live in Scotland but noticed when picking my Mum up from Blackpool in July, that Jet2 have been increasing their flights to new places from there so thought maybe I'd have a quick look on Google for you. It seems to have shown Jet2 flying from Glasgow next August. Hope that helps and I'm seeing it right and not leading you in the wrong direction!!!. Best of luck, I know that disappointment when it all goes pear shaped and hits the pocket as well!!

Many thanks for your help and suggestion G. I had seen that yesterday, and while they do indeed head over to the island, its a Friday and most Villas will only change over on a Friday. The one we booked only do Saturdays and most seem to do as well. I could always stay in BB if there is such a thing over on the island?

Trying to get in touch with Ryanair to see when they will declare their flights is difficult to say the least. In fact I reckon I could get in touch with Lord Lucan easier!!

lionfish · September 20, 2013, 08:17:44 AM

Cheap accommodation, even for just one night, can often be booked via sites such as booking.com, lowcostholidays etc. Trivago may also help - not sure as never tried that for overseas accommodation.

Ggarlo · September 20, 2013, 09:27:23 AM

Yes that's right, you can get an apartment for 1 night, probably around £30 upwards (per room not per person). On Travel Republic you can definitely book for just one night at numerous complexes in Caleta. Its obviously a bit more of a pain than going straight to your Villa, however, at least its an option to keep in mind should Ryanair not come up trumps. Best of luck with your searching.

duncolm · September 20, 2013, 10:55:27 AM

I'm sure you're aware Kenny, there's usually a Thomsons Saturday flight from Glasgow about an hour ahead of the TCX flight. It's hardly a cheap option though.....

It's worrying if Cooks are dropping Glasgow flights. Maybe they're scared of the competition from Jet2.

KWC · September 20, 2013, 11:35:23 AM

Quote from: duncolm on September 20, 2013, 10:55:27 AM
I'm sure you're aware Kenny, there's usually a Thomsons Saturday flight from Glasgow about an hour ahead of the TCX flight. It's hardly a cheap option though.....

It's worrying if Cooks are dropping Glasgow flights. Maybe they're scared of the competition from Jet2.

Dunc / et al, Glad to report we have it all sorted, well nearly

The owner of the Villa has no issues with us turning up on a Friday and Jet2 Head out as I have said, on a Friday so its sorted, assuming the flight isn't fully booked tonight when I go on-line.

BUT the other plus side is we are saving nearly £250 from what TC were ~~screwing~~ charging us.

Pays for the hire car for the fortnight and a few bob left over for the duty free

glenys · September 20, 2013, 12:40:05 PM

Great news, so glad it's all sorted now. TCs loss Jet2s gain. It's shocking how they get away with treating people like this.

KWC · September 20, 2013, 13:17:48 PM

Quote from: glenys on September 20, 2013, 12:40:05 PM
Great news, so glad it's all sorted now. TCs loss Jet2s gain. It's shocking how they get away with treating people like this.

Yes it is Glenys.

Now I can look at my spring week now, and hopefully the lady I contacted the other day about her villa in Caleta around Easter time, can accommodate me also on a Friday start date

duncolm · September 20, 2013, 13:35:55 PM

Good.
I think November may be my last trip on TC....

Ggarlo · September 20, 2013, 20:19:15 PM

So glad you've managed to sort it and of course the fact that its been beneficial to the wallet! Every cloud and all that.........

KWC · September 21, 2013, 09:36:03 AM

I thought I had a better deal with Jet2, but it transpires that the figure I was given by friends was incorrect.

After checking with the online booking system the actual flight costs were very favourable to TC at first , but when I went further into the booking procedure they charged you for:
1. Basic seats, (I assume if you didn't want to pay it would have been standing room only)
2. The luggage (as they all do nowadays)
3. Meals. (Which I didn't take!)
4. They even charge you for on-line boarding tickets, which is a new ploy to me.

So by the time that lot was totaled up it was about £35 dearer than the pulled TC flight.

But at least were getting there I suppose. I can see it getting to the stage when apart from the ever increasing prices, that it will become difficult to get a flight out of Scotland if they keep this up!