Sounds like they have "dropped the ball" on this one.

Giving you just three days notice I would agree is unacceptable. I would expect most tours that rely on a minimum number of passengers to be reviewed long before, as you mention, at anything from 6-8 weeks.

I personally don't think the alternative is acceptable and indeed may fall outside their own terms & conditions. I would review the t&c's in their brochure and then call them and ask to speak to a supervisor and ask that they improve the offer. Perhaps the tour could operate with a smaller number and FCH will have to pay a penalty to the ground operator for the remaining unsold places, or perhaps they can offer you an alternative date but with an improved level of compensation.

Let us know how you get on.

I too think that just 3 days notice is just not on.

Surely a tour like the one you describe is a speciality holiday that doesn't appeal to the 'masses'.
It's not like a couple of weeks in Greece or Tenerife, is it?
I can't see anybody booking something like this as late as 4 days before departure - the required/recommended vaccinations would be a problem anyway.

"Operation subject to minimum numbers, reviewed 8 weeks ahead of departure."

First Choice should have done something at this stage. I think they have let you down.

I booked a tour which need a minimum of pax (in our case it was 10).
We were advised of this when we phoned to book.
We asked how many they already had: 4 deposits paid, plus ours (2).
They said they'd let us know by the time the final balance was due whether they had enough for the tour to go ahead.
As it happened, they'd got 12 by then.

I hope you get this sorted, good luck.

Thanks, both. Luckily (?), and unusually, this trip was booked through a Thomson shop, and they tried their hardest on Saturday to get better compo, but the droid on their phone said it was "set in stone" as stated in the T&Cs.

We've taken a full refund but refused the compo. I'm composing a letter of complaint.

We're unable to change our holiday dates, so we're off to Turkey tomorrow instead and intend to enjoy it.

Marion

Marian
It may be worth you ringing Ros Fernihough, Travel Law Solicitor, she offers HT members free impartial legal advice.

The direct number to Ros's PA Pam is 01922 705134

Or try the switchboard number 01922 633214 and ask for Travel Dept.

I do feel that you have been treated very poorly by First Choice, so I hope you get a result.
Have a good time in Turkey.

Yes, please give Ros a ring. I am so sorry Marion.

Hope you have a wonderful time in Turkey and the sun shines for you.

Kath x

Thanks again. I had forgotten about Ros! I've made contact.

I'll post again when I've something to say.

Turkey, here we come!!! 5* all-inclusive. Not quite the same as flying over Angel Falls, though.

Marion

This is awful and totally unacceptable.

I think I could have found myself in this situation also. I rang First Choice last month (I've posted this elsewhere) to see why my hotel in Turkey next April 2009 had disappeared from their website, and after putting me on hold for a while, they came back and said all winter flights to Antalya weren't selling well, so they were withdrawing the flight. After much deliberation, we cancelled the holiday and eventually received a refund (after several phone calls). However, there is still no clear picture as to what the true story is. The flight still seems to be available - on other websites, as well as Eclipse and First Choice, but the hotels available are twice the price now! I dread to think what would've happened had I not queried it. I wish you luck in your search for compensation - previous experience has shown me you shouldn't give up at the first hurdle. I'd be interested to hear the outcome.

Regards the timing of your cancellation, you might be interested to see what they said in an email I rec'd Friday.

With regards to compensation, First Choice only pays compensation for any major changes that are made within 56 days of travel. As this was outside 56 days of travel, no compensation will be paid to you.

I appreciate the points you're making with regard to your own holiday Chris, but I think Marion's situation is totally different in a number of aspects.
Hers was cancelled 3 days before departure when First Choice had almost certainly (IMHO) been aware for quite a while that her specialist holiday was unlikely to go ahead because of minimum number of pax not being reached.
As Marion has also pointed out, because of the location and type of holiday, she'd actually incurred costs for vaccinations and purchase of specialist equipment - which could probably have been avoided if she'd been told of the cancellation earlier.
As Traveller has said, First Choice have almost certainly 'dropped the ball' on this one.

I think it's lucky that you noticed that your hotel was no longer available so early on.

I'm sure that a lot of T/Os do not advise customers of changes as soon as they are aware of them - which is disgraceful.