SMa wrote:

It's not clear that the OP has bought a standard package or who the TO is if he has because the problem seems to be that the flights are being treated as a separate component from the accommodation which would. To normally be the case with a standard package? The fact that his only option some 4 months before flying seems to be to cancel the flights and rebook them, suggests that this is not a standard TO package with either Thomas Cook or Thomson and that the flights have been booked as non-transferable, non-exchangeable flights. Without knowing the details and the T&Cs that the OP signed up to it's hard to advise him any further.

SM

.We will charge amendment fees each time you request us to make a change to your booking, but will not charge more than £150 per person or £500 per booking for each individual request made at any one time. This does not include where cancellation charges are applied as shown.
Note 1: Flights not operated by Thomas Cook Airlines: If your booking does not include a flight operated by Thomas Cook Airlines (or includes another form of transport, e.g. Eurostar), or if you have booked a Flexibletrips branded holiday, changes to your booking/flight can be very restrictive. We will pass on to you the cost imposed by the supplier, for any amendments they agree to make. Please also note that destination and date changes can be treated by some suppliers as a cancellation and rebooking, regardless of the period of notice given to us. Suppliers may charge up to 100% of the transport element of your booking and you must also pay the charge listed in the table above.
Note 2: If your booking includes a flight with Thomas Cook Airlines, you are permitted to change your departure date to another date within 6 months of your original travel date without incurring cancellation charges (unless the change is made less than 84 days before departure). A change of travel date when travelling with any other airline/transport provider will incur cancellation charges imposed by the supplier which could be up to 100% of the transport element of your booking.
Note 3: In some cases we negotiate special offer rates with our accommodation providers, such rates may not allow cancellations of accommodation ? any such changes will incur up to 100% charges. Where this applies, you will be advised at the time of booking. For all other cancellations you make to accommodation the charges stated in the table apply
Note 4: You are not permitted to change all the names on any booking and at least one of the passengers (over 18) on the original booking must remain, unless you are prevented from travelling for reasons beyond your control and not simply from a change of mind. Name changes on day of departure, where permitted, will incur additional administration costs. Name changes (including initial changes), on flights other than Thomas Cook Airlines may be treated as a cancellation and re-booking and you will be asked to pay any costs we incur from our supplies together with the charge set out in the table.

Glynis HT Admin wrote:

They state they used the Thomas Cook website so they'd be under the impression (& so would I) that a package holiday was being bought?

Sunaddict wrote:

Any advice? Sorry to be blunt but always read the Terms and Conditions before agreeing to them..

uknosferat2 wrote:

When I asked for the operators name he only gave me his first name and when I asked for the managers details I was told he wasn't allowed to give them details out.. Maybe i'm just expecting too much from a tour operator..

del949 wrote:

Also, I doubt that Thomsons will be bending over backwards to assist a Thomas Cook customer.