I have just posted this in "other destinations" but think it may be better here: I am furious. We are due to fly to Kenya 5 weeks tomorrow on a holiday that we booked some 9 months or so ago through Thomsons via AirMiles. We had a call from Airmiles yesterday to advise that our flight home with Kenya Airways was no longer running and therefore they were going to transfer us to a later flight - 11 hours later! This would then get us into Heathrow at 7am on Saturday instead of 6.30pm on Friday and we had booked a hotel for the Friday night. Fortunately, we have been able to cancel this without charge but to add insult to injury, Thomsons have charged us £124 for the privilege of changing our flights! Apparently their terms and conditions allow this. As we managed to cancel the hotel ok and as it does give us a few extra hours on hols, I was just going to let this be. However, I have just had another call from Airmiles now to inform me that my flight out (due to arrive Nairobi at 2200 and in Mombasa at 2300) has a problem. Thomsons believe it is too dangerous to transfer me from North to South Mombasa at 11pm and therefore want us to stop the Fri night in Nairobi and get a connecting flight to Mombasa in the morning which would effectively lose us most of that day holiday as we would not be arriving then until Sat afternoon and more importantly, we are due to get married on the Wednesday and have various plans and legals etc to go through which we had arranged to do at the hotel on the saturday morning. We can't delay these plans and legals as we have also arranged a two day safari which leaves at 5.30am on the Sun morning.
I have told Airmiles all the above - Thomsons are not aware of our wedding and safari etc as we have arranged all this independently. I have said that I would prefer to transfer to the hotel that night. I am now waiting for Airmiles to get through to Thomsons for a response....anyone any tips or ideas and, can they continue to keep changing our holiday like this? I am assuming that it is the ferry that they are not happy for me to go on - do you know if it's ok at night? Also, do you think it would be reaonable to suggest that if they refuse to transfer me at night, that I can still take the flight to Mombasa and stay in a hotel in N Mombasa and transfer to S Mombasa first thing in the morning. And guess what else - they want to charge me extra too for the hotel in Nairobi!!! Help!!!
day time felt intimidating! I was however told by several Kenyans not to consider using the ferry after dark - mainly because of the area to drive through before boarding it.
I would personally take Thomson's advise and travel down to the south the following day. I really don't think Thomson's are being difficult, simply using their local knowledge and taking responsibility to try to ensure your safety.
I used to work travel out to Mombassa for business and used the ferry quite a few times. I have to say the first couple of times using the ferry in the I would personally take Thomson's advise and travel down to the south the following day. I really don't think Thomson's are being difficult, simply using their local knowledge and taking responsibility to try to ensure your safety.
Yes must admit that I felt a little intimidated first time 4 years ago also in daylight just frustrating as this has been booked for 9 months and the flight times have not changed during this time...I was always due to arrive at 11pm into Mombasa. Oh well, think have settled on a compromise anyway as they have agreed that I can take the 2nd leg of the flight into Mombasa and they'll put us up in Whitesands and transfer at 9am the following day to Pinewood,Diani Beach. Am leaving Airmiles to argue with Thomsons about the additional charges for staying at Whitesands - I have already paid for this night at Pinewood plus an upgrade for all inclusive plus an upgrade for a suite so I'm not paying again. They seem pretty confident that Thomsons will go for this. Thanks for your input.
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