The compensation may have been worked on out on the 'approximate' cost for the air conditioning element of your holiday.

It is certainly worth you asking for it in cheque form- what have you to lose ?

Please remember that you can always contact Ros Fernihough (Solicitor)to see what advice she would offer. Her telephone number is 01922 621114

Kath HT Admin

I had the same problem a few years back with first choice.I refused the holiday vouncher and sent it back to them.In the end they send me a cheque out for more money

Are you satisfied with £70 is the first question ?

If so, photocopy the voucher and retain the copy along with all correspondence from T.Cook on the matter. Return the voucher to them thanking them for their compensation offer and whilst you accept their admission that they feel the need to pay compensation you will only accept a cheque to the same value.

By retaining a copy of the voucher you have proof, should it become necessary, that T.C. have accepted some liability and have paid compensation. I'd be very suprised if they didn't send you a cheque in replacement. However, they might try to pay a lower value, say £50. Head this off by demanding the cheque should be the same value as the voucher, a copy of which you have retained. I'd send this request by recorded delivery.

If you feel £70 is insufficient again, retain the original voucher - don't return it yet. Write by recorded delivery and thank them for their initial offer or £70 and their acceptance of the merits of your claim but state why you feel you deserve more. Again, request that the increased amount be paid in the form of a cheque assuring them that you will return the original voucher when you have received their increased refund.

I think that £10 for each of the 7 nights is not unreasonable but it might be worth pointing out to T.Cooks that they are responsible for the quality of the services provided by their suppliers under the terms of the 1992 Package Tour and Travel Regulations and you may seek compensation through the small claims court for a larger amount - with costs ultimately being borne by T.Cooks (assuming you win).

Such action might hinge on your compaints to the reps. in the resort. Did you ask for the air con. to be checked/fixed ? Did you ask to be moved to a different room ?

Hope this helps,
Mike

Thanks for your replies. We did ask for the air-conditioning to be fixed. The first time a guy came and looked at it but said that it needed an engineer and he couldnt come till the next morning. The enxt day an engineer came out and it seemed to be fixed but later that day it stopped working again. By that time it was too late to get the engineer back. The hotel were not at all helpful. We eventually phoned the reps 24 hour helpline and were given the keys to another room to use just for that night, but that room smelt disgusting and the airconditioning in that room kept beeping and switching off every hour. The next day the same thing happened. Basically right through the week we were constantly trying to get the air-cond fixed and moving between out orifinal room and this other room which stank. The hotel manager was rude and unhlepful thoughout. To me £70 seems very little compenstaion for all the hassle we had but having never gone through this before I have no idea whether it is a reasonable amount or not