Hi,

We're not booked but from what I gathered I think you can choose any destination just has to be the same value as your holiday price to mexico.

Hope you still get to go and everything is sorted there by June.

Sorry, maybe my post was misleading.

They haven't cancelled our holiday yet but obviously first choice/Thomsons have cancelled all holidays to Mexico up to and including the 8th May.

It would seem that this is only the start of swine flu and I am guessing that potentially those cancellations COULD be extended so my question was really just thinking ahead.

Our holiday has not yet been cancelled but for those that would have been travelling in the next week or so what destinations have you been offered instead??

The misleading bit may be that first choice state

"Customers due to travel to Cancun or Cozumel from 28th April up to and including 8th May 2009 will have the option to make a free amendment to their holiday and select a different destination or alternative date up to the same value already booked".

ABTA State

"While this advice remains in place customers of ABTA tour operators who have booked package holidays to that destination for the period that the advice is in force will be entitled to receive suitable alternative arrangements, or if this isn't possible, a full refund of all monies paid to the tour operator".

There is a distinct difference between being offered "an alternative desination up to the same value" or as ABTA states "suitable alternative arrangements".

All I mean is I payed for a Holiday village for a reason and the only suitable alternative to us would be another Holiday village but the prices for those could now rise dramatically above the cost of what we payed for Mexico

when we had a holiday cancelled by first choice and we could chose another holiday they priced the holiday from the date of first booking not the date of change

Has anyone been affected and charged for alternative holidays??

Nobody? Anybody?

my friend who was due to travel within the next week, is now going to Jamaica.

somone we know should have been going to cozumel next saturday with thomson holidays, obviously theyve been advised to change it, but they really struggled to get a decent holiday replacement. No holidays to cuba, could have gone to Jamaica but indirect flights over 18 hour period, now going to Aruba but the prices were going up by the minute. It's cost them an extra £500 per head and that's just for b & b where in mexico it was all inclusive. Glad first choice changed ours to puerta vallarta earlier this year as we going to cuba next friday.

I keep asking the same question, why are people being forced to pay more money?? It is the tour operators who should be providing similar alternative accommodation without cost if they have it available and they obviously do as they are charging extortionate prices for it. COme on people stand up for your rights

Disagree thedonz this situation is beyond the control of the Travel companies so an an acceptable alternative or a full refund seems reasonable to me.

I agree with you mate, an acceptable alternative or refund is brilliant. The problem I have is with the acceptable alternative part, is an acceptable alternative offering you a lesser holiday for £300 - £500 per person more, I personnally don't think so and as far as I can see the regulations don't either.

Because of the reasons for cancellation your right to compensation is void, I can live with and understand that but the way they are hiking prices is wrong and at the end of the day they are still breaking a legally binding contract.

Ask yourself, would they be so forgiving if you had to cancel your holiday for some extraordinary reason, i don't think so and the first thing they would do would be to refer to T&C's and regs

Hi, Maybe read my earlier post today ?.
However - Its Jamaica and Dominican that are on offer . Egypt too .
P.
WHOOPS- sorry -- didnt see later posts .
My earlier post is on another thread -- but main gist of it is -- F Choice are now still selling the mexico holidays on their website that have been cancelled or changed . Even have Mexico hols for sale starting on 10th May . Its crazy-- seeing as my booked hol is on 20th and they are inviting me to rearrange !!
I'm gonna take it to the wire - and see what happens . Just hoping someone sees sense this next week or so and realises that a few coughs and sniffs do not constitute the end of the world .(thats just my personal view though)

Hi Pete,
We are due to fly out to the River Maya on the 25th May and unfortunately we cant do anything till nearer the time which is very frustrating. So we are going to hold out and see if they cancel and get a refund.
You are right about getting a match of destination, the prrices are extortionate and very little to choose from. We are a family of 5 (2 adults 3 children) We paid through the teeth for Mexico and dont want to pay any more so would appreciate a refund. My kids age 9 and 7 are terrified of going due to the media hype.
What was going to be a fantastic holiday is turning into a nightmare......wont be surprised if we are the 1st flight out their?

Hi Jasmine,
Good luck--I hope you make it there . Its a lovely place - and knocks the spots off anywhere else Ive ever been.
Very sad for the kids too --its made for the kids !!.
I think you are doing the right thing by waiting and hoping that you can have a choice ie;- cancelling with full refund--or maybe even being able to go there .
Media has blown it all up out of proportion and done a lot of damage. Right now - media has moved onto another topic -so-pigflue is taking a back seat.
You're correct about other places on offer and also the hiking up of prices --but - thats business I guess--supply and demand .
First choice will have to make some decisions this week - sooner the better --however - we have to remember their hands are tied because of the 'dont travel' advice still in force by one of those 'jobs for the boys ' organistations WHO etc .
Shame for the couples who were going their to get married along with all their guests. Hotel staff there getting laid off too . so- there are people much worse off than us .
Just have to see what happens . Best of luck
P.

Thanks Pete,
Will let you know how we get on. Going to contact TC today to see what they say? Would love to go but do worry about the kids....more really for the 10 hour flight home.....We have been to mexico before and Europe comes no way near the treatment you get even in a 3 star hotel.
Its my hubbys 40th this year end of September so we are wondering whether to book/amend for then maybe Mexico, Jamaica or Cuba? Would rather wait and see though? Surely we should know 7 days before? If people do amend the flight out will be pretty empty? Just dont want to pay nearly £5000 on not quite the experience we where expecting?
Yes I too really feel for the Mexican people especially in this economic climate and yes all the wedding parties too must be having a total nightmare. My sister in law was lucky enough to get to Moon Palace Cancun for her brothers wedding beginning of April and they have all been fine.

Thanks again Jasmine

Hi everyone,
Jus to let you know I phoned TC and they have no advice for cancellation/amendement of flights from the 23rd May.
They are awaiting News from the Foreign Office today to say whether they are keeping the current advice or changing so guess we are no where nearer to knowing
Jasmine

Hi, We are due to go 22nd May from Glasgow and have just received our tickets today.I was told that flights up to 12thMay are cancelled so will have to wait and see if ours goes ahead.Maggie

Cancellations now upto the 14th of May and Amendments 22nd. (TC)
We have been informed the information will be updated on a weekly basis, we too have received our tickets.
Personally we would like to amend our holiday but unfortunately we dont fall into free amendment and would lose upto 90% of our holiday due to only being 2 weeks away.
I dont think this is fair considering the circumstances and have been told if the holiday does go ahead we wont be covered for medical insurance for HN11 FLU.
So with 3 children I dont want to go any advice appreciated.
Jasmine

Hi does anyone know what happens if Thomas Cook cancels our holiday on the 25th May?
Do we get our money back or do we have to choose an alternative holiday or maybe claim on our travel insurance?
Would rather have the money back and then choose alternative? Its interesting how holidays have now been cancelled up to the 22nd May but no free amendments have been made for the following week?

Maybe their thinking all will be back to normal ove the weekend?