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Hi BBB .. as you say, the Beninter site is not very clear about the child age. But the price of €406.70 is for 2 adults and 1 child sharing a triple room at the Ambassador Playa. For 3 adults sharing the triple room, the price is €559.23, which is around £392.45.

David

Hi David - definately going to book this one, as I know I'm not going to get cheaper, - so thanks for pointing me in the right direction! (Plus we have stayed here a few times, and really like it),what I meant with the childs age, because I'd be booking this on line, is it 02-12, 02-14, or 02-16? I know the tour operators class a child up to the age of 12 (half board),(sometimes 14), but on this website it doesn't even mention what age the child should be. (Hope I'm making sense. - It's been a long day ) Son is 13

regards, BBB

BBB ... as there is a difference of around €152 between the price for 3 adults and the price for 2 adults & 1 child, why not contact them in the morning to verify the child age. It would be a shame to pay the higher price if it is not necessary. You could email them now at booking@beninter.es and hope for a reply first thing, or you could ring them in the morning on 0034 96 585 70 60. The website shows that they are open from 9.30am local time, so you could try them just after 8.30am.

David

Jayne,

I can highly recommened Beninter. We have used them on numerous occasions and they have never let us down.

After all you've been through when you finally get to benidorm make sure you have a great time, because after all the s**t ( pardon my French ) you've been through you earned it.

Sarah

Hi david, that is exactly what I will do, - I'll do it now, then hopefully they will reply by morning then I can get booking

Sarah - Thanks very much for that, hope you have a great hol when you go wednesday.

Can anyone confirm if this is true? if a TA/TO cancels your accommodation, should they offer you an alternative accommodation, at no extra cost? (Even though the original cost was cheaper?). Just that I have had a couple of messages saying this is what should have happened,

If you use the flights and book another hotel charge thomson the cost of the other hotel on your return, they won't like it but I am sure they would have to pay up. The simple reason they wanted you to pay the extra for putting you in 5*bb they are not allowed to charge you extra, you never asked for the change they cancelled.

Lots of advice on alternatives.

How you stand with Thomson are only personal opinions of those who post.

Why not ring Ros Fernihough Tel :- 01922 621114

That way you will know the legal position instead of conjecture?

fwh

Hi BBB ....

Can anyone confirm if this is true? if a TA/TO cancels your accommodation, should they offer you an alternative accommodation, at no extra cost?

The ABTA Code of Conduct did at one time include a clause regarding the provision of accommodation of the same or a higher standard, at the same price as the original travel arrangements. However, following revisions to the Code of Conduct in September 2006 and July 2007, that clause no longer seems to be included. In fact there was much publicity and criticism at the time of the September 2006 revision, that the ABTA Code of Conduct provided holidaymakers with even less protection.

There is still a clause regarding compensation in the event of significant change or cancellation after the due date for full payment of the holiday. However, there are exclusions, such as if the change or cancellation was outwith the control of the tour operator. I suspect that Thomson might say that this latest situation is outwith their control. But as fwh suggests, it wouldn't do any harm to have another word with Ros or Pam to discuss these latest developments.

David

FWH

I think this argument would come down to contract law. Something I had to study as a part of qualifacation I took. Something to be out of their control would be a natural disaster, industrial action, but here thomsons knew of the problem for many months and then decide to to cancel the holiday saying the hotel has closed. These decisions are not taken on the spur of the moment but plans would of been put in place well in advance. Under contract law thomsons could be found in breach of contract, which would intitle the person who the contract was breached against to chose a holiday to the same standard or if the only options is a higher standard that person can sue for monies paid out over and above the refund they received. Their T&C are so unfair and on more than one occassion tour ops T&C have been ruled unfair.

I would do as FHW suggest's, ring ros and take legal advice.

BBB.

hope you manage to get things sorted soon.

Kath x

Hi all - just a quick update with the situation.

Rang thomsons again on friday (Pr-departures), and for once spoke to a girl called Kelly, who was the most understanding person I have spoke to so far, I told her the situation, and mentioned the flights which they would sell to me for £149 per seat,(jet2 flights would only cost us £380 for the three of us - plus they are better flight times - but would mean going on the 3rd oct- which we are not bothered about!), and also the only one available accomodation shereton de faul real hotel, which we were told we could have for an extra £600 and odd quid - she said her supervisor was not in until monday, and that she would find out if we could be transferred to this hotel for no extra charge, - so will wait until tommorow, before I do anything, - and report back to you!

I'll also do has suggested if I get no joy, and ring Ros.

Finger's crossed!

Regards, Belly

Definitely fingers crossed.

Kath x

Good luck BBB ... but I take it you are aware that the Sheraton Real de Faula Golf Resort & Spa is out of town.

David

Hi David, Kath, thanks for that

Yes I think it's bout 3 miles , out of benidorm, which isn't ideal,plus it's only B&B, but we can get a bus into benidorm, and probably a taxi back!, If we have to spend £100 on taxi's, - it'll be worth it to stay in a 5* Hotel (but I'm not holding my breath that they will foot the bill):lol:

I can say though if anyone is having any probs regarding pr-departure, ask to speak to Kelly, she was really sympathetic, and the nicest person I have spoke to at thomson's, and really went out of her way to help!- So a big thumbs up to her

Thanks for your best wishes

Regards, Belly

hi all,

Just a quick update - guess what ?thomson's didn't phone me back today (Surprise surprise ), despite me ringing twice, only to be told "Head office has been emailed, we have to wait for a reply from them," -(How long do they want me to flaming well wait, - we go in 6 days) well enough is enough, they can stick their holiday where the sun don't shine, - off to cancel it tommorow, and not leaving the shop until they pay me it in cash (Like I payed them )

Jet 2 are doing flights from leeds/brad on the 3 October, for £380 for the three of us, (Much better flight times too)

But here's the problem - trying to get half board accommodation for just a weeks time is a nightmare - David I emailed the beninter, to ask about the child prices, and got an email back saying the only available accommodation is the presidente 735E , full board, even though their website says different (They have loads of different hotels). I emailed a couple of days ago, and got no reply, so emailed again this afternoon (in spanish), and got a reply within 10 minutes!,

Went back on travel republic to try and book the gala placidia, and they have no available accommodation at all, for the above dates, - couldn't believe it, as there was plenty a couple of days ago! (Must be all the people booking - who were due to stay at the regente )

So if anyone see's, or can reccomend any good half board accommodation, around the 500E mark, please let me know!

Thanks again, Belly!

Oh no Belly, I have been waiting for you to come on!
I think we will all have to get searching for you now.

Fingers crossed you gt sorted.

Kath x

BBB ... you're going on 3 October now, just confirm your return date please, is it 9th or 10th ?

David

Aww thanks kath!

On a lighter note, - this will give you all a laugh (Although I wasn't laughing at the time), spent most of today browsing through the different website's for accommodation, and came accross los dalmatos hotel, 4* half board, "Great" I thought, I know where this hotel is, it's in a good location, where we spend most of our nights out, and the price was £385, (Just within our budget), nearly broke the keyboard typing all my details in, (Determined to get it ), - got my confirmation email, to say they had taken 20% of the total cost. "Strange" - why hadn't they taken the full amount? So I rang up cosmos, - asked the girl when could I pay the remainder, as we go in 7 days, "No love", she replied, you've booked for 2008!

Anyway, she said as it was a genuine mistake, they would refund immediately! (Phew!!)

Regards, Belly!