Help please...plane left without 30 of us!!!

[garydee]

About three years ago we were due to fly to Turkey.The plane developed a fault ( before even taking off) and we were told we would be delayed 24 hrs.They offered to put us all up in a hotel but because we only lived 10 mins away , we chose to go home.About another 30 people did this and a representative from the flight company took our details and informed us that the plane would be departing 16:00 the next day and if anything was different they would ring us immediately.
We went home and stayed in all day and heard nothing, so we turned up at the airport 2 hours early to find out the plane had left at 11:00 that morning! .We went to the travel desk and the lady informed us there were a few of us like this and there had been a mistake in contacting us(you dont say!).She said there was nothing we could do.
We tried chasing this up with the company Vision Holidays and they said it wasnt their fault. I tried the BAA and they informed me of the regulations act, but it was not much use as i couldnt use it against anyone. I tried Trading Standards and they again could do nothing, but said the case would remain open for 6 years. I sent numerous letters to Vision Holidays and their affiliates but got nowhere. In the end i was £700 out of pocket and just gave up!
Does anyone have any idea as to how else i may be able to get this money back? Because i didnt book with a "proper" travel agent i was not covered.
Any ideas folks?????????

[jamie_c2000]

What about your insurance, the flight company could confirm that you were a no show?

[dx100uk]

has any of this been done via letter?

i would be inclined to invoice your original booking agent for the holiday[monetary outlay+interest] that you did not get.

see what happens.

this is a long time to sit on things.

ask them to PROVE in writing that you received an alternative holiday or a monetary refund else you will pursue through small claims court action.

what do ABTA say about this sorry exercise?

likewise ... did you have insurance as mentioned?

dx100uk

[garydee]

Hi Thanks for replying

It has been so long now but yes we did try through the insurance and they said we were not covered because it was not a delay,act of terrorism etc. As far as they were concerned there was nothing they could do,it was down to the airline.

And yes i have written letters to the holiday company and that got me nowhere, they said it was not their fault , they were only agents for the booking. The initial blame lay with the airlinre(who i have also tried to pursue but got nowhere,there excuse was they offered us hotel accomadation for the night so we could be contactable, even though we had stayed in the next day and no-one rang!)

As for the small claims court, it would cost me a similar amount probably just to break even

Thanks for your help guys but i'll guess i'l never use that holiday company or airline again!

[dx100uk]

IMHO the booking agent made a contract with you, they did not forefil it. they are responsible. I would certainly not accept their excuse...we are only the booking agent, rubbish, you paid them money, you contest they did not provide the goods.

as for the small claims, thsts the idea of it, it costs you nothing in the long run, you get all yours costs & interest & loss of earning back [if you or your partner took time off work to go on holiday].
Small Claims is really what this site is all about.

Please don't let it drop.

if you need more convincing contact ABTA.
or write them a letter.

dx100uk

[DIY13]

Hi DX100UK

Really sorry to hear of your dilema. I hope I can help with this

if you can answer the questions below I'll try my best to shed some light on who to contact.

1. Vision Holdiays are they an internet based company?

2. On booking your holiday did they send you any booking forms?

3. If they were they agent, who did they contract with to book your holiday? because they would have earned commission as an agent so you have a right to pursue your complaint with them.

Let me know and I'll check it out for you

[DIY13]

OOPs Sorry

That was meant for garydee

[bobzac]

Hi there, just had a quick read of your problem.
You stated that the plane developed a technial fault, thus the flight was "delayed" by 24 hours (so they said).
Did you recieve a letter from the Airline / Holiday Company at the airport before you left for home. I have had several delays and they do hand out letters to the passengers waiting.
Im not sure how the insurance company state that the flight was not delayed when quite clearly it was, with the travel insurance I use, they tend to pay out as soon as the delay hits the 10hr mark, I beleive full amount is returned at the 24hr mark.
I know the flight left prior to the 24hr mark, however, that was the time you were given thus should have been provided in writing at time of the delay.

Jon

[louis wu]

Gary, did you ever contact ABTA (assuming vision holidays is a member) if so what did they say. In my experience they are pretty good. If you never contacted, then I would do so now.

Louis