Probably not a lot you can do unless your insurance covers you for this eventuality. Unfortunately this is one of the pitfalls of a non-packaged or DIY holiday. Maybe someone else will be more able to help.

Thank you, that is what I thought but I thought I would check with the experts on here!

It's such a shame as this is actually a xmas present from my 3 children (21,19 & 17) who pulled together and got my husband and I this break. None of them have a lot of money and so it was alot for them to pay out. Now it looks like we will have to book a different Break, costing us money and having the kids disappointed and out of pocket.

Oh well, I guess I will just have to put it down as one of lifes challenges.

We have booked twice with On the beach and on both occasions somethings gone wrong so maybe we will have to stay clear of them, although I guess on this occasion it was not their fault.

Thanks for your reply x

Where were you hoping to fly from Sue - where can you fly from and what dates?

Want to fly from East Mids to Prague as we can get a lift to the airport.

I found a flight with Ryanair but have had a bad experiences with them and they were still a lot dearer than the original costs.

Unfortunately, we hadn't booked any Insurance as we are not due to go away until March and our annual Insurance had run out, the kids didn't know this. We would have therefore booked Insurance when they gave it to us as a present on Christmas day.

Such a shame for the kids, they saved up hard to buy this break for us, as I have been Ill and they thought it would do me some good to get away. I know they say it's the thought that counts but feel I am letting them down If I don't find something.

Hi Sue,

Sorry to hear of your predicament.

Were the flights with easyJet actually booked?

My understanding is that easyJet has been in consultation over a proposal to close operations at East Midlands Airport.

If that proposal went ahead the flights being booked may not take place. (This now seems to be the case)

If this proves to be the case you will be offered your choice of a full refund or re-accommodation on to a flight from another easyJet airport in the UK.

The implication is that if the flights are cancelled, after booking, then easyJet would offer another departure airport - could you double check with easyJet what is being offered and then take a view regarding ease / cost of transport to their suggested alternative departure airport? It could prove to be less costly than losing the hotel payment.

Just a thought.

Peter

I have read somewhere that Easyjet say if booked to fly from EMA after they pull out (6 Jan) then they are offering full refunds or booking on BMI at no extra costs,and Bmi do fly to Prague,ive just checked and some good deals are available,returning on 17/1/10 was £1.04p!!.Iwould speak to Easyjet asap.

Peter,

This is what the email said....

"We are contacting you as we have been informed by your airline that your flight has had a major change to its original operating schedule. This can happen from time to time as airlines plan their flight schedules months in advance and sometimes due to operational reasons or unforeseen circumstances they have to make changes to their previously planned schedule.

When an airline makes a major change to your booking they must offer the closest suitable alternative they have or a free cancellation of your booking. Unfortunately in this instance your flight provider has been unable to offer and alternative flight."

It then goes on to say ....

"What this means in these circumstances is that should you now wish to fully cancel this holiday with us, or need to change the dates of your hotel booking the cancellation or amendment charges of the hotel provider involved in your booking will still apply."

It therefore looks like we are unlucky on this occasion.

Peter, thank you for you help anyway.

Sue x

cancellation or amendment charges of the hotel provider involved in your booking will still apply

Hmmm I've never known a hotel charge for cancellations so early, usually it's about 24/48hrs before they charge. Which hotel is it? Might be worth checking the hotel's website see what their cancellation conditions are.

Would the cancellation/amendment charges not be as per hotelbeds as the hotel provider, rather than the actual hotel?

Am just going by what was quoted in Sue's email Sunaddict who say that it's the hotel's policy? Maybe I'm reading the email wrong? (Won't be the first time )

Hi again Sue,

............need to change the dates of your hotel booking the cancellation or amendment charges of the hotel provider involved in your booking will still apply

Have you had a look at Hotelbeds T&Cs?

Whilst the cancellation of flights may not be considered "Force Majure", I am certain that OTB could do more for you.

Do you know when OTB became aware of the cancellation (or possibility that the operation from E. Midlands may be curtailed)? This, coupled with your actual departure date, may enable you to convince OTB that they had a duty of care - or to get, at least, a partial refund of the hotel element.

For a January departure, time may be of the essence here.

Good luck

Peter

Aha just re read the wording and your right Sunaddict they are saying hotel provider

Peter,

Thank you once again. I am sure OTB could do more but like you say time is off the essence. In the meantime, I am trying to search for another holiday and will sort this mess out when I get a response from OTB.

I have tried Hotelbeds website but it is for Travel agents etc only so I can not find their T&C. The hotel voucher doesn't show their T&C, only OTB T&C.

I am going to write to OTB today and ask them what refund I will receive, if any, If I cancel my hotel booking. At the moment I don't see that I have much choice.

Thank you everyone for all your help, I really do appreciate it.

Sue x

Easyjet advised us that all our East Midlands passengers can be moved to BMIBaby alternative flight at no extra charge. The alts are subject to availability.

You dont have to go by what I said, I have found this

http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/east_midlands_airport.html

OTB should be sorting this for you.

Steve

Steve,

Thank you for this information. Having checked other flights it appears that there are only few flights that actually go to Prague. East Mids finishes on Jan 6th, Doncaster starts in April, the rest are London flights which I am guessing they will not be willing to pay the additional costs getting us there from Chesterfield and this is why they have said there are no alternative flights available.

Just have to see this as a bad experience I guess.

Thank you all for your concerns and advice.

Sue x

I don't know if this helps but a friend of mine was booked on an Easy Jet flight to Palma in May (from East Midlands) and she has been able to do a straight transfer to the BMI baby flight. The flights were booked directly with Easy Jet, the airline e-mailed her and there was a link in the e-mail that took her directly to the BMI baby flight info/details. Apparently she will get confirmation from BMI in 10 days whether she has been transferred ok.

Can someone clear something up, In Sue's first message

[ have today received an email telling me that my flight has been cancelled for January departure. /quote]
And then the 3rd message reads

Unfortunately, we hadn't booked any Insurance as we are not due to go away until March and our annual Insurance had run out,

.
Can you please tell me when you are going away?

I think what is meant is that Easyjet have pulled out of EMA from Jan 6th ,and OP has a flight booked after that date,which could be in March.

OK, just to clear the confusion up.

My children have booked for myself and my husband to go away on the 4th January to Prague, returning on the 8th as a Christmas Present. As we didn't know about it, we didn't have our usual annual Insurance booked, we are not due to go on holiday until March and that is when I would have obtained a new yearly Insurance cover. This is why we can not claim on our Insurance.

Update: Having spoken to OTB, they have confirmed we will get full payment back for our flights as there are no other flights available for our departure date/area. They are also looking into getting us a small refund for the hotel that was booked at the same time but I am not holding my breath.

Thanks again for your help.

Sue x