Where do i stand?

[Tan30]

I booked a holiday by phone with a major tour operator. The price was confirmed by three people so i paid my deposit. Next day they rang back saying they forgot to charge fuel supplements and needed another �180. Im not very pleased and i have an invoice for the first price but they will only take off �90. Can they do this?

[lady_p_gold]

Well I am not a lawyer but I would say that a contract was made when they offered a price for the holiday and you paid a deposit on the understanding that the price they quoted was the correct one. I would take the matter higher in a pleasant but firm way and call the branch about this and say that you would like the name of the managing director and then call or write to them. Either that or you could call their bluff and say you wish to cancel, although they may argue that you, by paying a deposit have agreed to buy the holiday - however you could then argue that it was only at the price they quoted. Or you could book it with someone else and try and reclaim your deposit through the small claims court, or just think 'oh well' and think that you saved �90!! It might be a lot less hassle.

[dzug]

Don't know whether it is still the case but at one time the T&C of most travel companies allowed them to levy a fuel or currency surcharge up to the time the final balance was due. The customer then had the right to cancel if this was more than x% of the holiday price.

So it is possible they are allowed to do it.

[kempie]

Having just checked the websites of a few tour operators I can confirm that the scenario described above by dzug is still common practice and stipulated in their T&Cs.

It appears that an increase greater than 10% is the point at which you can cancel with a full refund but check your invoice, or on their website(?), to confirm that it is correct in this case.

If you do not wish to cancel then you must pay any difference, in which case you receiving a �90 discount is actually a remarkable gesture on behalf of the tour operator.