Wait and see what their response is and then get back to us. Did the one agent book both flights and accommodation?

Hi Glynis, I booked everything through yourholidays.com via the telephone, but Goldtrail were the agent for the flight and Hotels4U were the agent for the transfer and accommodation.

Right well according to Your Holidays' T&Cs your contract is with the booking agent, so I've looked at Hotels4U.

. Changes to and cancellation of your booking by the principal or us
If there is a change to or cancellation of your booking we will pass on the new details as soon as we can. As agent only for the principal we cannot accept any liability for any changes or cancellations made to your booking unless they are due our own acts or omissions. However, except where the change is a result of circumstances outside of the control of the principal or ourselves (listed in Clause 7 below, 'Circumstances Beyond our Control'), for a significant change of accommodation, we will pay compensation as shown in the table below. A significant change is one which entails a change to accommodation of a lower official rating and/or a change of resort area. If you accept the significant change or amend to different accommodation offered for sale by us you will receive compensation as per Option 1 in the table below. If you reject the significant change and cancel your booking you will receive compensation as per Option 2. Pre departure compensation for significant change Period of notice we give customer or travel agent before departure Compensation for each adult price paying customer: either cash amount or percentage, whichever is the lower.

Pre-Departure compensation for significant change

Period of notice we give customer or travel agent before departure Compensation for each adult price paying customer: either cash amount or percentage, whichever is the lower
Option 1 Option 2
More than 35 days Nil Nil
35-29 days £10 or 10% of Accommodation Cost £5 or 5% of Accommodation Cost
28-15 days £20 or 20% of Accommodation Cost £10 or 10% of Accommodation Cost
14-0 days £30 or 30% of Accommodation Cost £15 or 15% of Accommodation Cost

Compensation payments relating to a child place for which a child price has been paid are half the amounts shown (up to half the child price paid). There are no compensation payments payable to those travelling on ‘free child places', ‘free group places' or infants. Compensation under option 1 applies if the customer accepts the change; option 2 applies if the customer cancels and receives full refund.

This relates to pre departure changes so you have a good argument straight away that they pay compensation (albeit a paltry amount) for changes made in advance IF you accept them. It doesn't say anything about your right to cancel, which is what your usual other option is if you don't accept the changes. That you were given no notice and no option should stand you in good stead for something.

I would calculate the cost of the accommodation and request a full refund for that. I know you ended up with a holiday but I feel the best way is to aim high and be prepared to be bartered down.

Oh sorry, just read it again, if you cancel you still get a small compensation payment from them.

SandC, thanks for that.