Hi Shirley and Jenny

It sounds a right mess. I didnt follow the aftermath of the XL collapse too closely so didnt realise the CC companys were saying it is the CAA's responsibility and not theirs.

So if I understand it right this means if you book through a third party like Travel Republic and your flights go bust you are not covered. for them by Credit Card. It would only be if Travel Republic themselves go bust that you are covered ?

Seems very confusing, how are the general public to know this ? I suppose it's in the small print somewhere.

It then makes it seem better to do a true DIY like booking flights direct with someone like easyjet and then an apartment direct as at least if either go broke you should be able to claim from your credit card, or perhaps I am still noyt understanding it.

Hope you both manage to get it sorted out.

Doe

HI,
the situation in my case - I booked XL flights through Travel Republic, who used Freedom flights for this purpose. I paid by CC. As the flights were booked through TR and Freedom flights who are Atol bonded the CAA are liable for the refund. They do seem to have accepted responsibility as I have a claim number (as stated previously). In the meantime my CC company are 'standing by' in case for any reason it emerges that the CAA aren't responsible after all IN that case the CC company will issue a refund. As it's all a bit up in the air, goodness knows where the refund will come from (but apparently, we will get it from somewhere). At the moment, as far as I'm concerned the CAA are still dealing with it. I think I'll give them another ring this evening (when my phone call will be free).

When did you put in your claim? they have been very slow in issuing confirmation of claims and ref numbers. I rang up after not having received anything for weeks and was told that my letter had gone missing in the post. Lucky, I rang them or I'd still be waiting for a ref number.

Message for Steve

Don't know if you remember helping me out a few months ago regarding my mum and Dad's holiday to Lanzarote. YOu very kindly arranged to refund a part of the accomodation booking in response to a time delay on TR's sending on my claim (flights) to the CAA. There's probably nothing you can do, but I just wanted to let you know, that we are still waiting for the flight refund 5 months down the line. We've had a claim number from the CAA but it is taking an age.

Does TR get informed when their customers' claims are settled? I would just like to know how much of a percentage have been refunded and how many are still waiting?
Thanks

Lets us answer Doepsmc question

So if I understand it right this means if you book through a third party like Travel Republic and your flights go bust you are not covered. for them by Credit Card. It would only be if Travel Republic themselves go bust that you are covered ?

You should still be covered by credit card. The cc companies are waiting for the CAA/ATOL to pay, so wont be rushing to pay themselves before this happens, which I am pretty sure it will, albeit painfully slowly.

If you book with Travelrepublic we now offer 'supplier failure protection' for each supplier you use to book you tailor made holiday. If one of them goes bust, you are covered now, by insurance, or if it is an ATOL supplier (you are covered by the what we know to be very slow to pay) ATOL protection. Travelrepublic is ABTA, so that covers if the worst should happen to us.

Steve

Hi Shirley, we are not aware of many people who booked flights AND accommodation with Travelrepublic, or indeed any online travel agencies, who have been paid.

We have received assurances from CAA contacts that payments are progressing, and (I'm afraid) I heard that all would be paid by April (I need a smaller font there.....April!!!). I have not seen this confirmed anywhere though.

Here is some of the published news I have found, that point to why there have been delays. I better not comment in view of pending court case

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/01/29/30108/xl-payouts-could-exhaust-financial-protection-funds.html

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/02/10/30209/caa-declines-to-comment-on-possible-financial-protection-crisis.html

Steve

Thanks Steve,
I fear a long overdue phonecall this evening. After all this time, surely they should be able to give me a straight answer. I won't hold my breath though. I would be absolutely seething if they owed me hundreds or even thousands of pounds, as in the case of many people. I honestly don't know how they can get away with it?

hi shirley and doe and steve!!!!

spoke to the caa last night - they are going to push my claim to the next dept and I have a ref no now. They are apparently going to be having talks with TR in the next few days as thay believe they were selling packages using freedom filights (who had not given permission for their flights to be used as part of a package) and so the caa want Tr to pay the money back to us poor customers! This is a practise used by a lot of independant travel agents - i once worked for on under the global travel group umbrella.

My next concern is that I have in the meantime rebooked flights with Tr (Thomson flights) in sept of last year. If TR do indeed have to refund the customers of freedom flights etc they may go into administration themselves. I am not covered with the new 100% money back promises TR are now offering as I booked before jan 09. May loose my hol and money altogether....

Please someone tell me to stp worrying!!!!

Hi Jenny, without answering the question about whether Travelrepublic can pay if the CAA dont, you mentioned you have booked with Thomson.

There are two answers depending on whether you are booked with Thomson (you will have a Thomson ATOL receipt sent to you in the post) or Thomsonfly (we will have sent you just an email at the time you booked).

If you booked with Thomson, we act as agents for Thomson, so pay them for your booking, and they pay us commission. We DO NOT hold your money, except for the time between you paying us and us paying Thomson. If worst happens, during that short period, you are covered by our ABTA bond.

If you booked with Thomsonfly, you will have paid in full, and we will have paid TFly in full at the time the booking was made. So it is all paid for, so you neednt worry at all there!

You said it! Stop worrying and look forward to your holiday!

Steve

cheers steve!!

have a receipt through the post!! will go back to counting off the days!!!!!

They are apparently going to be having talks with TR in the next few days as thay believe they were selling packages using freedom filights

Were you aware of this Steve and are you able to enlighten us?

Just tried ringing them and an automated message stated the office closes at 5.30pm that will mean another expensive phone call during daytime rates.

Thats odd Shirley. I am sure Travel Republics site says they are not selling package holidays. Perhaps Steve will know for certain, or maybe its something that is open to interpretation in the courts? Confusing for the consumer.

Whilst Steve is trying to advise and assist members here with their specific problems, please note that there may be some questions which he is unable to answer due to the impending legal issues (discussed on page 10 of this topic).

David

Hi doepsmc, you are right we dont sell package holidays, this page on financial protection confirms this for you:

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/help/totalFinancialProtection.aspx

Of interest, is we are develpoing a package holiday offering, where will be offering packages from the leading tour operators (Thomson, Thomas Cook etc..). It will be a separate option from the ones we already have (Flight, Hotel, Tailor Made etc..).

Thanks to David for backing me up when I decline to dicsuss a pending court case. It could compromise me, Travelrepublic and this good forum!

Steve

I thought it odd too Doe, I was only quoting Jenny's words. No problem Steve, I don't want to compromise you I was just wondering really whether there was any truth in what Jenny's heard.

Finally seen some news on the court case feb 11th it was delayed till Wednesday the 11th march.

Lets see what happens then about refunds from CAA.

Maryb

I rang the CAA on Monday and had a recorded message before being put in a queue. It stated that they were sorry for the delays in paying out refunds to xl customers but due to unforseen circumstances/legal issues they were waiting for the go-ahead. I didn't bother waiting in the queue once I heard that as it would be a waste of time.
Thanks Mary, it will be interesting to se if anything positive happens after 11th March.

Does anyone know the outcome of today's talks or even if they went ahead. I think the situation's ridiculous now. If it wasn't for HT, we customers wouldn't have a clue what's going on. The latest I have from the CAA in writing was dated last December and stated that my claim would be through in 40 days - For heavens sake I think they should keep their customers updated (well at least every couple of months)

My Dad who's money it is, doesn't have a clue what's happening as far as he's concerned the money should have been refunded long ago.

Has anyone actually had a recent letter from the CAA, stating the situation? Thanks

hi shirley,

I had a letter from TR yesterday claiming they are 'flustrated and saddened' that i still havent had my refund!!!!!! how do they think i feel!!!!!

Anyway they say that the CAA is going to be sending out a letter that needs signing (A claim assignment) once they recieve it I should get my reund with no futher delay. The CAA mentioned this letter too when I spoke with them around 10 days ago.

It also states that TR is in dispute with the CAA but that they feel they have done no wrong in their business operations. And that the CAA has confirmed that they will pay up!!

Believe it when I see it!!!!

Jenny

They pleaded not guilty and it is adjourned until April 8th

Maryb