I tried to book a holiday with a company on 30th May.

They were unable to book it at first, saying they couldn't get the dates I needed & asked if I could book for another destination.

I complained as they had assured they could book the destination I wanted to go to.

I got a call back the next day from a Manager there.

He said they could get the dates I wanted, the destination and he would book the whole package, direct flights, accommodation and free transfers, as a gesture of goodwill, which I accepted.

He said that he would get the confirmation over to me by 5pm, that day, at the latest.

After paying them in full, straightaway, that didn't happen.

Their initial e-mail also states confirmation within 24-48 hours.

They also promised direct flights.

When I called them again the next day,

they said that they needed another further £60,

before they could release my booking detail,

which I obviously refused as I had already paid £600.

I read something on the CAB website that increasing the price by 10% or more is a significant change, which means they have to refund me.

This is my girlfriend & I's first holiday together and a graduation present from me to her.

She is very excited about it.

This almost ruined everything.

Luckily, they did book the outbound flights out.

I called the airline and managed to get the confirmation sent over to me by e-mail.

The return flights weren't direct,

I tried calling the two airlines they booked the flights with but only one would refund,

half the amount but the other refused as they said that the booking was made in the name of the travel agency and not mine.

I managed to book flights back myself but it meant I had to pay more money.

I've also managed to arrange alternative hotel accommodation.

The whole saga has called me a great deal of stress and upset.

My girlfriend would've been so crushed if the holiday didn't happen.

Fortunately, I managed to save it.

I've raised a Visa Dispute with my bank which has been ongoing for over 10 working days.

The bank only asked me for proof of everything by e-mail after their 10 working period, which they say they will credit back the funds within this time.

It shows the time period 24-48 they gave me, what they were booking for me (what I had requested) and no mention of any further payment required, that I had paid in full. I've also sent proof of the alternative arrangements I've had to make due to this.

They hit my card for £60, which I did not give permission for.

As soon as I found out I opened a dispute for this also.

I then got an e-mail this Friday, just gone, from the Travel company, with all the confirmation.

On my phone it's obvious it was only sent to me on Friday but then they've backdated it to the 12th June.

Even if that were the case, it's still over 14 days after I made the payment and over their own 24-48 time period for confirmation.

Their e-mails state that they are a member of the TTA.

Even in their own terms & conditions it states confirmation of everything within 24-48 hours.

All my e-mails to the bank show that they failed to book what I asked for and within the timeframe they stipulated.

What are the chances of me getting my money back?

This is really stressing me out.

Please help!!!

Many thanks.

Kindest Regards

Kal

It would help if you named the Travel Agent, so we could see their full details and suggest best way forward.

If the Travel Agent did not deal with you in a truthful way and you have evidence, then your Bank should refund you. But make sure you register a formal written complaint with the Travel Agent, as they will come after you for any loss they might suffer.

You are booking during peak season and Travel Agents will be booking last available seats on flights and last available accommodation in some resorts. I should imagine that the Travel Agent ran into difficulty making the bookings and they should have told you,

Their name came up as 'Travel Service' on the payments but they are known as Travelate and/or 321 Travel.

321 Travel, Travel Service Group, Travelate Travel ... - Ripoff Report

http://www.ripoffreport.com/.../321-travel/.../321-travel-travel-service-group-travelate-trave...

321 Travel - Holiday Watchdog Forums

https://forum.holidaywatchdog.com/321-travel-t115060-Page-10.html

Thank you Old Cogger, that's most helpful. I've forwarded that on to my bank too, in relation to my Visa dispute. Hopefully, I'll get my money back soon.