Can Agent Cancel Flight?

[highlandfling]

We have booked 5 flights to Las Vegas direct from Manchester in December 12. Flights depart in May 13. The booking agent has phoned to say they cant get the e tickets from the airline and they made a mistake as there are no direct flights. We have checked several websites inc the one we have booked with and they are still being advertised albeit considerably more expensive. The agent has asked for permission to cancel the original order which we have refused to give. If the original flights still exist can they force us to cancel or pay extra?

Thanks

[Buenchico]

>>>they made a mistake as there are no direct flights

Which airline did they say that you'd been booked on? If it was Thomas Cook then their story might make a bit of sense. (Thomas Cook only fly that route on Sundays and Wednesdays. Your outbound date is a Monday). If it's Virgin Atlantic it makes no sense at all as there's a 1235 departure on that date, with a direct flight.

I'd certainly hassle the agent for more information. (In particular, I'd query why they're only seeking to place your booking with the airline a full 6 weeks after you asked them to do so). However you might end up deciding to pay extra (or, perhaps, to cancel the Virgin Atlantic flights and fly out - and possibly back - a day earlier with Thomas Cook) and then seeking to recover your costs through the Small Claims Procedure of the County Court.

[highlandfling]

Thanks Buenchico, we are with thomas cook with a Sunday flight - it is the 19th outbound and returning 26th. Think I confused it when I said May 13 meant year not date, sorry. Will go back and query why they have delayed putting booking through. Just wasn't sure if they could bump us if flight still existed.

[Buenchico]

The misunderstanding might have come about because I'm trying to post on several threads at once (as well as watching the telly!).

The correct current prices for those dates are £334.49 per person outbound and £290.99 per person inbound, making a total of £3127.40 for 5 people. What was the agent quoting originally, and what is he quoting now?

[237SJ]

It sounds to me like the agents have gone to the airline to request a price (that they have advertised to you) and been turned down. If the airline won`t sell the seat to the agent at the given price, I`m not sure what you can do about it IMO.

[highlandfling]

We paid £474.00 each and he wants an extra £300!

[ummmm]

An extra £300 each?

[Buenchico]

£334.49 + £290.99 = £625.48

Subtracting £474.00 gives £151.48. So why the hell does the agent want another £300???

As I've said, keep hassling - but you have to accept that (whatever your legal rights may be) if the agent won't forward your booking without extra money you're not going to get the flights booked. If you don't get any joy out of the agent, consider cutting your losses and booking direct with Thomas Cook (which, in my opinion, is the only place you should have booked in the first place) so that you get your holiday - but then take legal action against the agent to get your money back.

Thomas Cook:
http://www.flythomascook.com/Search.aspx

Online small claims website:
https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

Chris

[Zacs-Master]

I agree with Chris. I've no idea why people use travel agents these days.

[highlandfling]

Yeah £300 each! We've sent off an email to company so will see what they come back with. Looks like initial price was too good to be true. Less money for the casinos I suppose! Thanks for info.