Hmmmmmmmm

Having received my tickets, and read through the small print, it seems that even though it still states on the First Choice web site that...

Please note that for all longhaul holidays, the overseas departure tax is included in the total cost of your holiday.

the tickets state that customers will be liable for the charges locally.

I've emailed them for clarification - it was always included with First Choice. Maybe it's yet another backward step caused by the merger with Thomson.

All departures after Nov 1st 2008 customers have to pay departure tax of $US20 per person locally.

Hope this helps with your confusion.

Angie.

All departures after Nov 1st 2008 customers have to pay departure tax of $US20 per person locally.

Hope this helps with your confusion.

Angie.

Yes and no really....

It's bad enough when they change their T&C's after booking, but it's more than a bit misleading as their statement I quoted was copied from their website as of today.

I've travelled with First Choice for years and never had any problems, always recommending them. This is yet another small gripe I've had on this booking, and they're starting to add up and become annoying.

We have travelled with First Choice the last 6 years to the Dom Rep. The 1st 2 years we paid then we did'nt it was included and now since the the merger it has to paid locally.
I have a Third edition May 2008 to April 2009 First Choice brochure and it states in there that it is payable locally from Nov 1st 2008.

Angie.

chivas

Thomson luggage allowance is 20kg hold and 5kg hand, this is for departurtes from May 1st 09.
As for sitting together I would just mention this when you phone to pay the balance, if its not booked you can add it on.

cheers, I have already paid the seats together so I hope it's already on!

Laudan/cazb - you can pay your balance online on Thomson's website, here: http://www.thomsonbeach.co.uk/th/BalancePaymentHome.do

I have used this a few times with no problems. It is better than by phone as you can print out proof on the spot, as well as saving cost of phone call.

Anyone having problems with Thomsons web site its running at a snails pace???

It always seems to do this for me these days and often the screen freezes. Doesn't seem to matter if I am in IE or firefox.
Seems daft that years ago it used to run smoothy and now it doesn't. So much for progress.

Saves even having to bother looking for a booking,try something else.

What I dont understand is that they can manage to get their Portland site to run like a dream. They have never bothered to change it's lay out for years. You can get to a price within about 6 or 7 clicks of a mouse.

Why on earth they can't get the same people who did the Portland site to set up the Thomson one is beyond me. I'm sure these companys would take more booking if they could get their sites to flow smoothly.

How are Thomsons at present with the issue of your tickets !!!!!.

Upgrade to HB for 1p at selected hotels

http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/deals/all-inclusive-for-the-price-of-half-board.html

luci

1p H/B upgrade, I bet its factored into the price and you are not getting such a good deal.

Thomson and First Choice agents to handle customer complaints

Travel agency managers in the TUI Travel UK group are to be trained and empowered to resolve customer complaints directly.

The 880 Thomson and First Choice shops could start to handle customer complaints later this year as a result of a full customer services review launched last December.

Currently, all complaints are dealt with through a central customer service centre and this is likely to still continue with more complex enquiries.

But the travel giant aims to help "nip complaints in the bud" where possible and improve customer relations.

Customers will no longer have to go through the process of putting all their complaints in writing as they can return to the agent through which they booked their holiday to resolve any issues that may have occurred, according to TUI UK.

Agency managers will undergo training so that they are empowered to resolve problems as soon as they are informed of an issue by the customer.

They will be able to make on the spot decisions regarding compensation, when appropriate, and solve straight-forward complaints immediately.

Managers will be backed by a dedicated customer services empowerment team who can provide advice and guidance.

Distribution director Nick Longman said: "Our agents have a strong relationship with their customers and we underplay that ability to resolve issues in the shop.

"Customers ultimately want to get a resolution as swiftly as possible and this change will encourage that to happen - fairly and quickly. We hope that by providing excellent customer service and quicker resolution of issues that these customers will come back and book in store with us again."

With permission from Travelmole

My holiday flgiht has been changed from Gatwick to Manchester. Am I entitled to cancel and receive a full refund?

anteater31 wrote:

My holiday flgiht has been changed from Gatwick to Manchester. Am I entitled to cancel and receive a full refund?

Yes as that would be classed as a major change. Surely they have written to you about this and given you a set of choices ?

I only heard about the change during an ineffective phone call to try and get an invoice. I've had nothing in writing or by email and, when I phone the recommended number, I repeatedly get a message that due to heavy demand the call cannot be handled.

I shudder to think how much I've spent on their 10p a minute lines to no effect. I guess these calls are a significant profit centre.

anteater31,

Phone 024676 28 28 28 which is the Tui UK & Ireland switchboard and ask to be put through to the Thomson Call Centre. This will be your cheaper option as its a local number and not a hiked premium number.

Angie.