Compensation for delays?

[lisagirlyUK]

I just wondered if anyone could offer some advise on previous experience of flight delays.

We had a 10 delay on our flight to Sanford and 6 on our return. This resulted in the first day of holiday being a write off and on our return cost us to go into the guest house for a couple of hours (couldn't be let it until after 8pm and it closed at 11pm) so we could at least have a couple of hours of comfort plus I had to take an extra day off work and pay the dogsitter for an extra day. (and dont get me started on the mini bus driver who said they delay wasn't on teletext and had been at Gatwick for 7 hours - so we got abuse form him too!!)


Basically, am I wasting my time writing a letter of compliant? I thought the service was appalling (food was awful and no entertainment or music on the flight home) and the delays cost me money. I know they will probably get loads of these letters from people on the flight but it makes so mad to think that I have scrimped and saved for almost 2 years for this holiday.

On top of that, the management company accessed the garage of our villa for storage while we were there!!! We didnt get any notification that this was happening - and it was 0630 in the morning and we thought we were being burgled.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

 

[wils]

lisagirlyUK

I'm afraid I've no practical experience of delay complaints but having worked for a holiday company (In marketing I must add - so these things were never my fault!!) I think that you'd probably be lucky to get any compensation. However I'd check your documentation and insurance to see if you are entitled to anything.

Having said that It might do you good to 'vent' and nothing ventured....!

As for you early morning visitors - that is shocking. I'd have been terrified.

Anyway please don't let this spoil what I hope was a happy holiday - though you must have been ready to cry when you got delayed again on the way home.

Let us know if you have any joy.

Wils

 

[TraceyL]

Your holiday insurance usually pays a fixed amount of compensation for delays (something like £25 for the first 12 hours then £10 for every additional 24 hours). As for 'consequential' costs - they'll usually wash their hands of you - check the small print

*Cynical hat on* It usually matters diddly squat to holiday companies that the holiday you've saved for for years is spoilt - whether it be by act of god or mechanical failure

 

[Jane and Ian]

Try writing a letter, you have nothing to lose really and it may help you to get it all off your chest. As to the early caller using the garage to store things in - what would have happened if you needed the garage for the car? Also many houses have access to the house from the garage. As far as I can see, that is not on. Good luck.
Jane

 

[Sue F UK]

As a villa owner I find it disturbing that the Management Company were storing anything in the garage and then accessing it at their leisure. They are only caretakers of the villa, not the owners and (unless they were acting on specific instruction from the owner) they are taking liberties with someone else's property which is unethical to say the least! I am sure the villa owner would appreciate being informed of the situation but this would only be possible if you had booked direct with them. I doubt whether your travel company or the management company would even pass the information on and would be very surprised if you could claim any compensation or apology from them.