Dealing with Holiday problems
Many people who go away on their summer holidays will have a problem free time but sometimes the holiday might not have turned out as you have expected. Perhaps the hotel you stayed at was miles away from you booked and you couldn’t change hotels and had to travel backwards and forwards to the destination you had booked. It is possible to claim compensation for holidays that haven’t turned out as expected?
In fact it is reasonable to ask for compensation when you haven’t got the holiday you paid for. Your accommodation should be as agreed. If not, it’s usually considered a breach of contract.
You can’t claim the total cost of the holiday, but you can ask to be reimbursed for the extra travel costs, plus a fair sum for the change to your holiday.
Start by writing an email or letter to the tour operator’s customer services department. Give your booking reference number, explain your grievance and specify the amount of compensation you’d like.
As evidence for your claim, include the details of when you tried to contact your tour operator while you were away, and copies of any taxi or car hire receipts.
The firm may come back with an initial offer that is lower than what you are asking for, so be prepared to negotiate.
If you’re not offered any compensation, check your tour operator’s website to see if they belong to a UK trade body, like ABTA. If they do, you can lodge a new complaint through the trade body’s website. The tour operator is obliged to respond to the complaint.
Should you still not receive a satisfactory response, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service or visit citizensadvice.org.uk for guidance on your next steps.
For further information and advice, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or see www.adviceguide.org.uk.
Your local bureau – South Worcestershire Citizens Advice Bureau at Malvern Heights, Chequers Close, Enigma Business Park, Malvern, WR14 1BF is open:
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10 am - 4 pm
Wed (Specialist Debt Advice - by appointment)
Tel: 01684 563611
We also have local CAB Community Liaison Volunteers in rural areas around Malvern as follows:
Alfrick and Lulsley – Elaine Kite – 01886 884435 – elainekite@btinternet.com
Berrow, Bushley, Eldersfield, Holdfast, Longdon, Pendock and Queenhill – Philippa Pipe – 07512797212 - pcpipe@icloud.com
Bransford, Leigh & Leigh Sinton – Lillian Somervaille – 01886 833526 lillian@aubretiacottage.org.uk
Castlemorton, Birtsmorton & Welland – Liz & Neville Mills – 07592 055998 neville_liz.mills@btinternet.com
Suckley – in partnership with the Suckley Good Neighbour Scheme – duty volunteer - 01886 840480 - suckleygns@gmail.com
Teme Valley - all parishes:-
Stuart Cumella (Martley) 01886 888797, 07946869882, stuartcumella@gmail.com
Lesley Dean (Stanford Bridge) 01886 853295 les2dean@googlemail.com
Margaret Watkins (Lindridge) 01299 270073, brianwatkins552@gmail.com
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