We returned from our honeymoon to Egypt at the beginning of this month and I have to say it was the most stressfull time of my life.
We have saved for a long time to go to Egypt for a week, and as we are novice travellers, this was a really exciting time for us and our two children.
As we were waiting to board the plane at the airport, my daighter had an accident and hurt her wrist. Because it was swollen and she was distressed (and in pain) the decision was made that we couldn't fly. This is where it all started to go wrong. We thought (stupidly) that we would pop along to the Thomas Cook desk, arrange a flight for later that night or the next day, go and get our daughters wrist checked out and get on with our honeymoon.
How wrong were we? ? Thomas Cook were not interested in the slightest. I was told to go home and ring a number in the ticket book. Ok we thougt, and did as advised. It was only then we were told it would cost £90 each to transfer flights, and that the next flight was from Birmingham. Not too bad we thought (only 2 hour drive), so agreed to call back once we had asked a friend if they could drive us. When we rang back, I was told there was no flights from birmingham, but it was infact going from Gatwick (2.5 hours away). Ok, can I please book tickets?? "No, there is only 1 seat" !! So, where is the next flight from? (I am slightly hysterical by this stage), Manchester in 2 days . "So, can I book tickets?" "No, you have to book wihtin 24 hours of the flight, so ring back in the morning".
Ring back following morning, pay the £360 to tranfer, get new reference numbers and start to get excited again. As we are about to embark on our 3.5 hour drive, I get a curtesy call from Thomas Cook to confirm they have cancelled the holiday! ! (really hysterical now). Apparently, because we didn't re-book within 24 hours, they automatically cancel the holiday. "but I paid for tickets this morning!" I cry. "but we have no record of you calling " I am told. An hour later, they confirm they have sold me new tickets, but explain teh hotel and return flights are still cancelled! ! (you dont want to know what state I am in at this stage). "go up to Machester anyway, we will sort it out there" they tell us, so off we go in the middle of the night up to the other end of the country.
Thomas Cook rep at the airport cant find any information about us, and eventually finds the tickets we have bought, but cant confirm the hotel or return flights. "go to Egypt and we'll sort it out there". So off we go, only our second time abroad, to Egypt hoping Thomas Cook will sort it out.
When we finally get to the hotel, the rep who promised to help us sort it out, had scarpered leaving us to try to sort it all out. Our 2 deluxe rooms were not available, so we had to accept the only room available (a standard family room) as Thomas Cook had cancelled the hotel 2 days before.
Didn't see a rep for 2 days, and then all he could do was confirm that it wasn't yet clear if we had return flights! ! So much for a relaxing holiday.
At the airport on the way home (after 4 days of stress and worry) we are again ushered from rep to rep then abandoned been told to ask for the airport manager. Luckily our original tickets were accepted and we got the plane home.

I have written to Thomas Cook to complain about the poor service we received. The stress made me ill, and completely ruined one of the happiest times of my life!