Hi All,
I recently booked a 3 day trip to Amsterdam with a popular student company, on the twitter feed of the company they were tweeting a discount code for a trip to Amsterdam with no dates implied. I used this code when I booked and received a discount of £34 so in total I paid £129.
I booked the trip on the 25th of october, today I was emailed by the company stating that the code was for a different trip and that I have to pay up the extra £34.
I've looked through the terms and conditions on the website and come across these statements;
‘Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a “significant change”. A significant change is a change made before departure which, taking account of the information you give us at the time of booking and which we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we can reasonably expect to have a major effect on your excursion. Significant changes are likely to include the following changes when made before departure; a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time of 12 or more hours, a change of UK departure point to one which is more inconvenient for you and, in the case of tours, a significant change of itinerary missing out one or more major destination substantially or altogether.’
Although it isn't defined above I'd consider a 25ish% increase in price a significant change.
Further on in the t's & c's it says this
'If a significant change to your holiday arrangements is made to the holiday you have booked and for which you have received a confirmation invoice, or if we cancel the holiday within 4 weeks of the original departure date, you may choose to:
1) Accept the changed arrangements as notified to you by us (this may involve a change of resort).
2) Purchase a replacement holiday from us, of at least the same standard if available (and paying supplement or receiving a refund in respect of any price difference)
3) Cancel your holiday and receive a full and prompt refund of all monies paid to us.
We will pay compensation as detailed unless the change is for reasons beyond our control as described below. We will always refund the difference in price if the replacement holiday is of a lower standard and price. You must notify us of your choice within 7 days of our offer of alternative holiday arrangements. If you do not, we will assume your acceptance of the new holiday arrangement.'
By reading through these terms and conditions I believe that I am now entitled to a full refund if I wish for one as I have paid in full, received my confirmation invoice a significant change has now taken place.
The reason for the change is in control of the company as they run the website and were advertising the discount code on their Twitter with no eligibility conditions and I entered the code when I booked and it worked so I believe that I am at no fault and am not required to pay the extra money.
I've emailed the company and spoken to a representative but they haven't been very forthcoming, I'm expecting a call from a 'manager' tomorrow morning, I feel as if they are trying to take advantage of me for a mistake on their behalf.
Is my thinking about this correct?
TL;DR I booked a trip abroad and paid in full, the company have contacted me and said the discount code wasn't meant for that trip so I have to pay in full and it appears to be in breach of the terms and conditions on the website of the company.
Thanks
I recently booked a 3 day trip to Amsterdam with a popular student company, on the twitter feed of the company they were tweeting a discount code for a trip to Amsterdam with no dates implied. I used this code when I booked and received a discount of £34 so in total I paid £129.
I booked the trip on the 25th of october, today I was emailed by the company stating that the code was for a different trip and that I have to pay up the extra £34.
I've looked through the terms and conditions on the website and come across these statements;
‘Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a “significant change”. A significant change is a change made before departure which, taking account of the information you give us at the time of booking and which we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we can reasonably expect to have a major effect on your excursion. Significant changes are likely to include the following changes when made before departure; a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time of 12 or more hours, a change of UK departure point to one which is more inconvenient for you and, in the case of tours, a significant change of itinerary missing out one or more major destination substantially or altogether.’
Although it isn't defined above I'd consider a 25ish% increase in price a significant change.
Further on in the t's & c's it says this
'If a significant change to your holiday arrangements is made to the holiday you have booked and for which you have received a confirmation invoice, or if we cancel the holiday within 4 weeks of the original departure date, you may choose to:
1) Accept the changed arrangements as notified to you by us (this may involve a change of resort).
2) Purchase a replacement holiday from us, of at least the same standard if available (and paying supplement or receiving a refund in respect of any price difference)
3) Cancel your holiday and receive a full and prompt refund of all monies paid to us.
We will pay compensation as detailed unless the change is for reasons beyond our control as described below. We will always refund the difference in price if the replacement holiday is of a lower standard and price. You must notify us of your choice within 7 days of our offer of alternative holiday arrangements. If you do not, we will assume your acceptance of the new holiday arrangement.'
By reading through these terms and conditions I believe that I am now entitled to a full refund if I wish for one as I have paid in full, received my confirmation invoice a significant change has now taken place.
The reason for the change is in control of the company as they run the website and were advertising the discount code on their Twitter with no eligibility conditions and I entered the code when I booked and it worked so I believe that I am at no fault and am not required to pay the extra money.
I've emailed the company and spoken to a representative but they haven't been very forthcoming, I'm expecting a call from a 'manager' tomorrow morning, I feel as if they are trying to take advantage of me for a mistake on their behalf.
Is my thinking about this correct?
TL;DR I booked a trip abroad and paid in full, the company have contacted me and said the discount code wasn't meant for that trip so I have to pay in full and it appears to be in breach of the terms and conditions on the website of the company.
Thanks
