I think that we'd need a bit more information before it would be possible to give you an answer. For example, is this so that you can decide whether to take the chance on booking them separately and want to assess the risks? Or is because you have already booked this trip and the flights have now been changed and you want to know if you can claim any compensation?

If it's the latter then a lot could depend on the departure time of the original flight and the time of the re-scheduled flight. Or is this due to delays once you arrived at the airport?

SM

Let us explain - We have already booked the flights but have not yet booked the hotel. We booked exactly the same flight last year but the airline changed the flight time which meant flying out later and missing our connection at the other end. As it happened we hadn't booked the hotel for that night anyway and simply slept at the airport! This year we want to book the hotel for that particular night but are worried that the airline might do the same thing again and this time we will have paid for a night that we won't be able to take.

We can pay an extra 100GBP to the hotel so that we have the option to be more flexible, however that amount is nearly 4 times the price of the nightly rate!

I think if it's a DIY you may lose the cost of the first night.

Anytime I have booked with the likes of hotels.com etc although generally you pay in full on check out at the end of your stay you need to give a credit card number and if you are a no-show they reserve the right to charge the first night against the card.

Doe

WOULD WE HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST THE AIRLINE COMPANY DUE TO THE LATE CHANGE OF FLIGHT TIMES?

Ekk! no need to shout lol.

I don't think so not if they haven't breached any of their terms and conditions. You will probably find their T&C's allow for changes of up to at least 12 hours each way in departure times, and if you book with them you will have signed up to these at the time of booking.

You could look into some kind of insurance that might cover it though, I haven't used it myself as I normally go on package holidays, but I think there are specialist insurance policy's for DIY's. Perhaps that might b the way to safeguard yourself.

Doe

If we book a Dynamic package where all the components are with different companies we take out a Supplier Failure cover Insurance for £10.This is in addition to our regular travel insurance.
If the airline or the hotel either go bust or change the times we are not left out of pocket.

Sorry did not mean to shout,thanks for your help.

Regards.

creteskyblue.

That was what I was trying to remember 'supplier failure cover' but I am still not certain if hat would cover your first night though, you would need to ask the insurer, maybe google it see if that gives more info. Hope you manage to sort something out, it's a difficult one.

Doe

Im just wondering .. some of the bedbookers have better cancellation terms than others . Many you can cancel 24/48 hrs before. That is often the case with a direct booking with the hotel although possibly not the case with this particular hotel . Assuming you are not parting with your money now Surely under those cancellation terms they would allow you to cancel 1 night . I guess it will depend on the terms for the cheapest price you get for your accomodation.

Also I was wondering if you still turn up for the other six nights maybe the hotel will only charge for the six and not seven.

I think the holding the card number against the first night is for people who are complete no shows for the whole week.

If you were so late due to a flight change that you missed your first night but fulfilled the rest of the booking maybe a decent hotel (who was perhaps after repeat business) would waive the first night - don't know if I am making sense here ?

Doe

And presumably you would at least get some notice with a change of flight . I definately wouldnt be booking with someone where you have to hand over all your money at the time of booking . Better to find one where you would pay at checkout .. or is it the case that the bedbooker or hotel direct price is showing 2 different rates , one for upfront payment and the other for a flexible booking .

Not sure how it works Lyn, also I wonder if it is different booking direct with a hotel than with a Bed Booker. it's not something we have really been asked before. I agree though, the best bet is to book with someone where you dont part with cash at the outset as you are in a better position to negotiate if needs be.

Which airport are you flying from and when are you going? I'm wondering if you could keep an eye on the airports website for your flight say the week before and see if it's on time, that way you'll be able to gauge the probability of it being late on your outbound journey.

Also, as you know the hotel you are planning on staying for that night you could check their cancellation policy as most hotels allow 24 hours cancellation. Could you book your first night with the hotel direct?

creteskyblue wrote:

WOULD WE HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST THE AIRLINE COMPANY DUE TO THE LATE CHANGE OF FLIGHT TIMES?

You would have a claim against the airline if it altered you flight time by more than 3 hours or cancelled your flight completely and merged it with another the same day so long as this was 14 days or less before you were due to fly.

The compensation due depends on where you are flying from and to.

Let us have the details of this is the case and we can advise further.