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Package Holiday Conditions to Be Wary Of

By: Sarah Clark (ILEX) - Updated: 19 Jun 2024 | comments*Discuss
 
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You think you’ve got your holiday booked, done and dusted, and that all you have to do now is to get your holiday reading organised and stock up on suntan lotion. Unfortunately, there are still things that can go wrong with a package holiday booking...

Oh No – The Price Has Gone Up!

This is a tricky area. If you bought your package holiday in good faith, sticking to your agreed budget, it can be galling to be asked for more money.

Legally, all holiday brochures (and this includes online brochures if you’ve booked on the Internet) must tell you the real price of your holiday - legibly, comprehensibly and accurately.

It’s technically a criminal offence for an agent or tour operator to give you misleading or false information about the price of your package holiday, whether it’s a deliberate act, or a negligent one.

If you’re faced with a request for more money for the same trip, you may still have to pay up. It all depends on where you are in the booking process. If the operator slaps a surcharge on you (quite likely given the oil price rises) you can legitimately refuse to pay it...if the booking has been confirmed.

If the tour operator hasn’t accepted the booking, and you have no official confirmation, there’s legally no contract and the operator is entitled to ask you for more money. Of course, you can tell them to take a hike, but it will mean they can cancel the holiday.

They are also entitled to increase the price of a package holiday to cover surcharges if there is a clause in the booking conditions. If so – you’re probably stuck with it, but they can only do this for one of four reasons:

  • There has been an increase in fuel or transport costs
  • The extra money is for fees or taxes (such as landing fees)
  • changes in the exchange rate

The tour operator is also obliged to cover the first 2% of any price rise. You should also be given the opportunity to cancel the holiday if the increase in its cost is significant.

The operator can’t pass on any price increases in the 30 days before you depart.

They’ve Changed My Holiday!

When you receive a booking confirmation from a tour operator, whether by e-mail or in person, legally this means you and the operator (not the travel agent) have entered into a binding agreement.

If you receive notification that the holiday arrangements have been changed, you have a legal right to cancel if you’re not happy – or alternatively you can accept the changes if you’re happy about them. If you have no choice but to go ahead with the holiday, due to factors such as the amount of notice you’ve been given for example, you could still claim compensation when you return, but only if the changes leave you at a disadvantage – for example if you’ve been downgraded to a lower standard of hotel, or a hotel further from the attraction you booked the holiday to visit.

If you don’t say anything, the operator is within its rights to assume you’re happy about it, so if they’ve changed something you’re not pleased about, speak up before you go.

They’ve Cancelled My Holiday Altogether!

If the worst happens and you hear from the tour operator that your holiday has been completely cancelled, you have the legal right to ask for a full refund, and you should not be asked to pay a cancellation fee. If they offer you another holiday, it’s completely your decision whether you accept it – you don’t have to – and if you don’t, you can insist on getting your money back.

If you have to cancel your holiday yourself, there is usually a price to pay. Often you will lose your deposit or there may be a fixed cancellation charge (or a percentage, depending on how close you are to the date of departure). There’s nothing you can do about this – by cancelling you’re breaking the contract and the tour operator is within its rights to claim compensation from you.

Your confirmation agreement should state whether you have to pay a cancellation fee and how much. If the operator is a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), they will also list the cancellation fees in their brochure (or on their website) somewhere.

If the agreement doesn't allow for cancellation at all, you will have to pay for the financial losses of the tour operator, which is harsh but not unheard of. If this happens to you, check your holiday insurance to see whether it covers the cost of a cancellation.

These are the worst case scenarios when it comes to what can happen before you leave for your two weeks in the sun, and most reputable companies are reasonable about such things. Just knowing your rights can often be a help in uncomfortable situations!

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Hello, I booked a package holiday for myself and 5 family members, I informed TUI my daughter has Autism so booked special assistance, when we arrived on the TUI aircraft I noticed the seats allocated to myself and my daughter who I booked the special assistance for, the seats were 2 aisle seats, I explained to the steward I requested window seats and I was informed special assistance are always provided with window seats, I was advised the plane was fully booked, I would have to ask the people who booked the seats if they would swap, thankfully they agreed to swap but i feel this is totally unacceptable. We arrived at our hotel, the hotel, was told our rooms were not ready, waited for 1 hour, this caused my daughter to feel anxious have a meltdown, none of the staff showed us where our room was, we got lost trying to find it the grounds are huge, the room allocated to us was on the second floor, with no lift, this was dangerous, my daughter could have fallen off the balcony. I explained this to staff, they told me they had not other rooms available. The room was riddled with flies and not as advertised on the website, the original booking stated we had access to a hotel, 3 of their restaurants, pools and other facilities next door, we are so disappointed and upset about this, we was mis-sold this holiday, TUI claims to make assisted travel arrangements accesible, they did not. I would appreciate any advice, thank you.
JayJay - 19-Jun-24 @ 3:17 PM
Hi I had a holiday in Turkey in 2018 and was hospitalised with salmonella on my return. Investigations proved it came from the hotel but we booked with Thomas Cook and they are not around anymore. Is there anywhere else I can make a claim
t1503 - 30-Jan-20 @ 9:02 AM
I a actually feel physically sick.i booked a holiday an hour ago and the reviews are really bad it's all.paid for as go in the 18th .. there has muggings and things and my sohas already been stabbed I had no idea it was like this ... can they let me change hotel as it's less the 24 hrs
Lis - 6-Jun-19 @ 12:52 AM
Hi,We were booked to go to Sri Lanka on honeymoon but virgin cancelled it following FCO advice the night before we were due to fly.They said they would call us the next morning to help us re-book but nothing.We eventually used another travel company and flew a couple of days later losing 3 days of our honeymoon.We didn't receive the refund of our holiday until over 3 weeks after it was cancelled and only after we phoned and asked where it was.Are we able to seek compensation for the days lost and delay in refund?
Sar64 - 20-May-19 @ 1:08 PM
Hi, thankfully I don't have a problem but foresee the possibility that I might have. I have booked a holiday, flights and hotel, through an online travel agent for £970. I have input passport details into their site for the flights which have been confirmed. Hotel documents are issued 5-7 days before travel. Holiday starts in 28 days from now. I have checked the price of my arrangements up on several sites and the price is coming in at £3,800. Big difference. Can the travel agent cancel my holiday by saying there had been an error when inputting the price onto their online system.
mutley - 10-Sep-18 @ 1:19 AM
I’m a travel agent booked and paid in full ! My Tour Operator in the USA confirmed all my hotels and yours in Italy 12/6/2017 with a google map and dated confirmed with all hotel Live links and tours and mile to each tour. He is working with a Italy tour operator they work together ! One week prior to departure my USA tour operator sends me the final itinerary but all hotels have been downgraded from Superior or Classic Sea View Class double booking bedsHotel rooms. To Bed and Breakfast and king beds or standard rooms garden view distance away from beach and sea view no pools nor restaurants! Complained to me I switched the dates and their margins where lost do to me changing dates and loosing money ! Told me I have been complaining and have stupid remarks to them about the hotel changes and at last minute they book what they could find a week prior to departure ! I have all emails with confirmation of this tour . Travel protection with AIG for 7 clients that purchased ! 5 days prior to departure no confirmation or new itinerary only by word it will be taken care of Monday 9-10-2018 Departure 9-13-2018 They threaten to cancel with my complaints and concerns that this is my fault !
Kim - 9-Sep-18 @ 3:04 AM
Booked holiday in March, found out in April hotel was closing for refurbishment. TUI denied this was happening even though hotel closed in May. Press release on TUI dated January confirmed it was taking place. Hotel did open on time with some work still being carried out. However hotel was nothing like described when I booked it, we had stayed there before and decided to return as it suited our daughters needs ( she has Autism). Whilst the hotel did look nice it was not suitable for our needs.
Covsc - 24-Aug-18 @ 12:30 PM
We are due to go to Malta on 1st August and the tour operator have just cancelled our hotel becausethe renovation works aren’t finished and it is a health and safety risk. They are offering me 2 alternatives - one is vastly inferior accommodation (although according to them it is the same star rating) and the reviews on trip advisor are terrible (rooms smelling of sewage, terrible food etc) - out of the hotels in the resort the one I booked was #4 of 12, their alternative is number 11. The other hotel the offered is lovely but not a family destination - it doesn’t even allow children in the pool between 12pm and 6pm! I have found one suitable hotel (availability is so limited at this stage) but they say they won’t let us move to that one as it’s too expensive (or they said I can pay £2,500 extra!!). There are no other options. At this stage there’s hardly any availability anywhere so they said if I want to they can change the entire destination. However the flight times for most of their other destinations are shocking - we have civilised daytime flights to and from Malta and I don’t want to travel at 2am with 2 kids. What are my rights here? I can’t believe they are allowed to do this.
S_Smith64 - 12-Jul-18 @ 8:41 PM
So a group of us decided to book a holiday. Decided on a location and venue we all booked. Now the others have received an email saying they are being moved hotels leaving out of 13 of us my partner myself and my son in the original hotel and all others moved to the new hotel. I contacted thomas cook informing them of this and that we are all going on holiday together and this way the only part of the holiday we will share is the planejourney.Thomas cook told me that I could be moved but at the additional cost of £900. This seems unfair and the fact that they had to move the other because they don't have enough rooms for them even though the package is still being sold on their website. Can anyone advise what my rights are please.
AZC - 29-Jun-18 @ 9:55 PM
Tugboat - Your Question:
My wife and I booked a Package Holiday to Morocco with RSD Travel.The first week was spent touring Morocco, very enjoyable, good Hotels at every location.The second week we were promised a weeks holiday in the City of Marrakesh in a Four Star Dream Hotel.The reality was, we were dumped in a Water Park/ Holiday Camp 10 miles outside the City.A four-year Dream Hotel it was not.RSD Travel refuse to compensate us for the Distress and disappointment we suffered.
Our Response:
You could take this further if you can show that you made attempts to address this at the time (by complaining to a rep etc) and subsequently recording evidence that the hotel was not as described.
YourTravelRights - 25-Jun-18 @ 3:32 PM
Hi we have booked a holiday with a travel agent, for July 22 this year, We went into travel agent and gave them the criteria we needed, my mobility isn't good so asked for apartments lower down in Los Cristianos, we told rep apartments we had previously stayed in before my accident and we needed lower than these as they were up top of a hill. We were assured the apartments he found us were lower down. So we went ahead and booked. Only now we have found out its higher up the hill than the previous apartments we stayed in. We went back in to complain and have this checked again still their adamant it is OK. But have since found out from a family member the apartment is not suitable for me as it is indeed on the top of a steep hill. Again we have gone back. They have agreed to move us to an apartment lower down as someone else within the travel agent has checked and have found out its not suitable. We have had to pay another £855 to move. I'm not happy with this I have put complaint into tavel agent but told rep was on days of till last wed, have contacted them again on Fri to be told the manager dealing with the complaint is off till Wed this week. This is not acceptable were do we stand.
Pg - 25-Jun-18 @ 10:48 AM
My wife and I booked a Package Holiday to Morocco with RSD Travel. The first week was spent touring Morocco, very enjoyable, good Hotels at every location. The second week we were promised a weeks holiday in the City of Marrakesh in a Four Star Dream Hotel. The reality was, we were dumped in a Water Park/ Holiday Camp 10 miles outside the City. A four-year Dream Hotel it was not. RSD Travel refuse to compensate us for the Distress and disappointment we suffered.
Tugboat - 23-Jun-18 @ 8:36 PM
My wife and I went on holiday to South Africa on 9 March 2018 and stayed with family, stopping on the way back for a few days in Dubai Whilst there we had a motor accident and were unable to fly to Dubai but had to change flights and return directly to the UK. The travel agents are flatly refusing to give us the value of the accommodation in Dubai saying that they were not legally required to provide this to us for our claim to the insurers.Can they do this? Thanks for your help
GjM - 19-Jun-18 @ 11:55 AM
I booked my holiday for July 18 in August 2017, it was sold as opening in the summer of 2018 fully equipped with lots of facilities as it is a tui holiday village, we have now been informed that the spa, gym, waterslides are no longer available, the splash pool was advertised with lots of various fountains etc now only has one, the swim up room is in fact a plunge pool that leads nowhere, when challenged we have been told they will all be available next year when the next phase is completed. At no time were we ever told that the complex would be completed over several years I feel that this holiday has been completely mis sold to us is there anything we can do? Thanks in advance.
Lindi - 21-May-18 @ 10:47 PM
Chris D - Your Question:
Hi there,I have a family holiday booked to Mexico on May 6 2018, of which 4 couples are going away together but on separate bookings. We have looked to upgrade our rooms, and to upgrade on the upgrade page shows £2.76. When we click to apply that to our booking, it then takes us to a confirmation page whereby it states the total to pay is now £208! We originally contacted them to say what is happening, and they advised they would have to honor it if we could prove the prices by sending screenshots. The email address we sent these to was incorrect, so I called up again at which point they then said this is a glitch that is currently happening to all our bookings so they wont honor the price. As far as I'm aware this is against trading standard laws, and they do have to honor the prices shown on the original page - can you please clarify this for us? Very misleading and of course false advertising.
Our Response:
No they don't have to honour the price if it's a mistake. If this upgrade price is displayed on a long term basis you should report it to Trading Standards or ASA to investigate.
YourTravelRights - 26-Mar-18 @ 11:16 AM
Hi there, I have a family holiday booked to Mexico on May 6 2018, of which 4 couples are going away together but on separate bookings. We have looked to upgrade our rooms, and to upgrade on the upgrade page shows £2.76. When we click to apply that to our booking, it then takes us to a confirmation page whereby it states the total to pay is now £208! We originally contacted them to say what is happening, and they advised they would have to honor it if we could prove the prices by sending screenshots. The email address we sent these to was incorrect, so I called up again at which point they then said this is a glitch that is currently happening to all our bookings so they wont honor the price. As far as I'm aware this is against trading standard laws, and they do have to honor the prices shown on the original page - can you please clarify this for us? Very misleading and of course false advertising.
Chris D - 23-Mar-18 @ 3:09 PM
Madison - Your Question:
Hi apparently I booked and paid £150 deposit for holiday with Tui I am unable to remember when I went over all my emails for last 6 months and no evidence of confirmation or ATOL certificate was found So thinking I hadnt booked holiday I booked the same hotel which was paid and arranged my own flights which have been paid. Tui has today 17th Feb. emailed me for the very first time and informed me my further payment of £450 needs to be paid on the 24th Feb I cancelled this holiday with Tui immediately but they have informed me that I must pay £450 balance to cancel holiday so in total I will have paid £600 on a £1300 holiday can this be right as holiday was booked for 28th sept?
Our Response:
Check your bank account or credit card to see whether you did in fact pay the deposit first of all - also, ask TUI to send you a copy of the confirmation email that was sent.If you did actually book and pay the deposit, then check TUI's terms and conditions which state cancellation charges as follows:
70 days or more Loss of deposit
69 - 63 days 30%
62 - 49 days 50%
48 - 29 days 70%
28 - 15 days 90%
14 - 0 days 100%
YourTravelRights - 19-Feb-18 @ 10:46 AM
Hi apparently I booked and paid £150 deposit for holiday with Tui I am unable to remember whenI went over all my emails for last 6 months and no evidence of confirmation or ATOL certificate was found So thinking I hadnt booked holiday I booked the same hotelwhich was paid and arranged my own flights which have been paid. Tui has today 17th Feb. emailed me for the very first time and informed me my further payment of £450 needs to be paid on the 24th Feb I cancelled this holiday with Tui immediately but they have informed me that I must pay £450 balance to cancel holiday so in total I will have paid £600 on a £1300 holiday can this be right as holiday was booked for 28th sept?
Madison - 18-Feb-18 @ 1:21 AM
Jem - Your Question:
Hi my and my family have booked a holiday/villa for june this year with TUI ,the total price is 3k amd paid 1k deposit with flights ect. I have all the documents for the holiday to confirm the price. I had a phone call later that week to day its gone upan extra 6k? Can I get this holiday at the original qoute? Also when I was looking at the documentsi came across someone elses document aswell as mine with all there info on address name dateof birth date they are on holiday? Tui are awfell customer service
Our Response:
This increase seems a little unreasonable. In general if you have booked, confirmed and paid the deposit, yourtour operator can only increase the cost:
It's more than 30 days before your holiday
Any surchages etc are detailed in the booking terms and conditions
The increase in price must be due to an increase in transport costs, fees or taxes, or a change in the exchange rate (ask them for a breakdown of the price increase) . Note that TUI must absorb the first 2% of any of those increases
As this increase is a 'significant' change in price, ABTA suggests this is anything above 10% -you must be given the opportunity to cancel the holiday. The 10% figure is only a guide, and a smaller percentage increase could still be considered 'significant' on expensive holidays.
YourTravelRights - 14-Feb-18 @ 10:17 AM
Hi my and my family have booked a holiday/villa for june this year with TUI ,the total price is 3k amd paid 1k deposit with flights ect... i have all the documents for the holiday to confirm the price. I had a phone call later that week to day its gone upan extra6k? Can i get this holiday at the original qoute? Also when i was looking at the documentsi came across someone elses document aswell as mine with all there info on address name dateof birth date they are on holiday? Tui are awfell customer service
Jem - 13-Feb-18 @ 12:07 AM
Mark - Your Question:
Hi We recently returned from a trip to South America which we booked with a Uk operator. We had booked a DAP (local Chilean based airline) flight into Santiago and there was a 3 1/2 hour connection to our international BA flight. The DAP flight was delayed and we missed our BA flight which meant we had to spend £2k on new BA tickets and overnight accommodation. It was all booked as part of a package with a UK tour operator so is it not their responsibility to get me home and cover these costs?ThanksMark
Our Response:
Check the terms and conditions of the tour operator. If they arranged all the flights, connections and accommodation etc...did you contact them at the time? Did you give them a chance to find an alternative flight etc? What was their response?
YourTravelRights - 9-Jan-18 @ 12:32 PM
Hi We recently returned from a trip to South America which we booked with a Uk operator. We had booked a DAP (local Chilean based airline) flight into Santiago and there was a 3 1/2 hour connection to our international BA flight.The DAP flight was delayed and we missed our BA flight which meant we had to spend £2k on new BA tickets and overnight accommodation.It was all booked as part of a package with a UK tour operator so is it not their responsibility to get me home and cover these costs? Thanks Mark
Mark - 8-Jan-18 @ 12:20 PM
Booked a package holiday for next year through a travel agent, it's with tuito alcudia the hotel we booked was 3 star, I have been informed today it's been downgraded to a 2 star. I am entitled to the money back that I have already paid. Many thanks for advice
Leeseleelee - 22-Nov-17 @ 6:37 PM
Gail - Your Question:
We have booked a late holiday and asked if we could be booked onto a specific flight time/date. We have since discovered that they have booked us onto a return flight 3 days later than we had asked for. We now have no accommodation for 3 nights as they have booked us on the wrong flight. Are they liable and legally where do we stand?
Our Response:
Who did you book with? Did you see the details before you paid? etc. Sorry notinformation for us to comment here.
YourTravelRights - 14-Nov-17 @ 11:32 AM
We have booked a late holiday and asked if we could be booked onto a specific flight time/date. We have since discovered that they have booked us onto a return flight 3 days later than we had asked for. We now have no accommodation for 3 nights as they have booked us on the wrong flight. Are they liable and legally where do we stand?
Gail - 12-Nov-17 @ 11:00 AM
We have found a last min holiday ttravelling On 6th august 2017 with a online travel company . Checked with them the price over the phone . They agreed , checked everything was available (twice ) even changed to flight price slightlywent ahead with the booking £2700 takenout of my account , only then to be told that the Spanish booking system would not take the booking . The sales lady then said she could try booking something else but of course nothing else was available for the same dates at that price , realised the holiday was priced wrong I think . Spent two days searching there site , finding a few more holidays on it within our budget only to be told don't use the deal finder " it don't work " more false advertising. We have been totally inconvenienced as I teach I'm a school and I can only go inSchool holidays , and on the dates I booked . Also the fact that they are saying I cannot even begin to refund my money till tomorrow and then it will take three / five working days doesn't leave me any chance of booking Anyother holiday . As they are all going fast . Totally inconvenienced, false advertising what can be done , can i be compensated . How do I legally stand
Nicky - 30-Jul-17 @ 11:57 PM
I booked a holiday to Agadir for me and my family through Thomson, departing on 27th July. Due to the recent (terror) events and unrest in Morocco we decided to change destination. I was informed I had to pay £50 changing fee for each one of us, I found a new destination and agreed the price/terms and conditions with a Thomson agent over the phone. The agent told me everything had been changed and I should be able to see the amended booking online in 10 mins to 1/2 hr maximum and I should be able to settle the balance. I took note of his name and time of call. I logged in every 1/2 hr but no change had been made - after 3 hours or so I called Thomson again and a different agent told me there was no amendment to my original booking. AND the hotel I chose was not available anymore. Other options would cost me extra £1-£1.5K. My call was transferred to a supervisor and I was told they would try and find the recorded call. What are my rights?
JustMe - 6-Jun-17 @ 1:52 PM
We have booked a 4 star holiday to turkey in august I've been on the hotels website and the hotel has been downgraded to a 3 star where do I stand legally as I do not want a 3 star hotel as past experience 3 star hotels in turkey are not the best hence us booking a 4 star
Channy - 30-May-17 @ 11:43 AM
We booked a coach holiday 10 days ago and paid a deposit to the travel agent. Since then the same holiday has been advertised at a much cheaper price.There are still 122 days to go before the holiday. The company refuse to give us the lower price. Can we cancel without losing our deposit?The balance is due this week.
Jacko - 24-May-17 @ 7:50 AM
King101 - Your Question:
Hello, I booked a package holiday last night with Voyage Privé. I received a phone call today informing me that the website had made a pricing error and I would have to pay an additional £2500 or cancel the booking. I have received confirmation of the holiday and an ATOL certificate from the company. Please advise?
Our Response:
At this stage you can still cancel if you don't want to accept the higher price.
YourTravelRights - 18-May-17 @ 2:28 PM
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