TCD are Clueless!!!

[stevefry]

We originally booked our June '08 flights via TCD from Cardiff to Sanford around a year ago. The flights were with Thomsonfly, however, my Son-in-Law, who works in the travel industry, informed us last October that Thomsons were no longer providing flights from cardiff and that their slots would be taken up by Thomas Cook.
Over the following months, I contacted TCD regarding this on many occasions. Each time, they denied that Thomson had pulled out. Even when I told them that the Thomson branch in the local High Street was telling me that they no longer flew from Cardiff, I got the feeble response from TCD that 'even if it were true, there would be nothing they could do unless Thomson contacted TCD to inform them.
When I made the reasonable reply 'Why don't you just ask them yourself?' The girl stated: 'we are not allowed to do that Sir!'.

Anyway ...to cut a long story short, My invoice now (at last) shows the flight to be Thomas Cook. I have therefore tried to get TCD to answer my second question, 'We originally had a £199 'Premier' upgrade with ThomsonFly. What therefore, will be the equivalent upgrade with Thomas Cook?' TCD replied as only TCD can, by uttering 'It's nothing to do with us Sir. It's a chartered flight. Try contacting Thomas Cook yourself.'

Pity I didn't miss out TCD altogether and book the whole trip myself! Aaaaargh!!!
Steve.

 

[darthtatty]

you said it all...theyre useless.
hope you get an answer.x
enjoy your trip

 

[higgy66]

Anyway ...to cut a long story short, My invoice now (at last) shows the flight to be Thomas Cook. I have therefore tried to get TCD to answer my second question, 'We originally had a £199 'Premier' upgrade with ThomsonFly. What therefore, will be the equivalent upgrade with Thomas Cook?' TCD replied as only TCD can, by uttering 'Ity's nothing to do with us Sir. It's a chartered flight. Try contacting Thomas Cook yourself.'

It has everything to to do with TCD - they are acting as the agent. I'm would be suprised if Thomas cook would deal with you direct as they usually only deal with the agents unless you have booked direct?

I would definitely try to speak to a supervisor/manager at TCD as unless you have some sort of upgrade with Thomas Cook you want a refund. You need to point out that they are the "agents" and you are a TCD client.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[irongirlof12]

hope you get a response soon. It's very frustrating having to keep calling

 

[The Fetherstons]

HOPE YOU GET IT SORTED OUT SOON

 

[Revtel]

TCD are TOTALLY responsible. They took your money, your contract is with them, and they cannot pass you off to the airline.

Stand your ground, and insist on speaking to someone in authority.

All the best!

 

[Snowy-girls]

Good luck,hope you get something sorted soon .x.

 

[UKDEB]

Steve, as others have said, it has everything to do with TCD - your contract is with them, not the airline. This sort of nonsense makes my blood boil. Please stand your ground and insist on an answer. You might want to do your own research first by checking out the websites of the two airlines involved. That way, you'll know what they should be offering for the additional money you've paid.

 

[stevefry]

I should clarify my position further by saying that since last October, I have contacted TCD regularly hoping for someone with common-sense to answer the phone. I have argued, ranted, pleaded - talked to Supervisors - written at least two official letters of complaint etc, but have still been unable to resolve our problem.
I'm usually pretty good at sorting these things out, but I have to admit that TCD has behaved extremely unprofessionally and with incompetence bordering on the ridiculous. And this has completely thrown me.
For instance:
Today, (following what I said at the start of this thread) I contacted Thomas Cook Airlines as instructed by TCD, in order to determine the 'upgrade'. I was pleasantly informed that I was '79th in the queue', but I stuck it out to the end.
The Thomas Cook girl said that she couldn't tell me anything about the flight without a reference number. They didn't recognise the one TCD had given me. ...Back to a TCD Supervisor who then got me a different number.

Joined the Thomas Cook queue again, this time in position 42.
I read them the new reference number and she immediately spotted a problem. - 'I'm sorry, but the flight they've given you is not Thomas Cook, -it's MONARCH!'
...Back to TCD.

When I dropped this new bombshell on the TCD person, she answered in a way that suggested: 'Ok, it's Monarch, - so what?' I then waited for her supervisor to determine what upgrades we'd get on a Monarch flight. (Groan).
Ten minutes later she asked whether they could phone me back, as they were having trouble finding this information.
Did they me phone back? ...What do you think?
The struggle goes on.
Steve.

 

[higgy66]

If only TCD understood the power of this Disboard - they would sort you out in a flash. Anybody reading this thread will think very carefully now before booking with TCD.

I hope you get sorted soon.

 

[stevefry]

Yes, I was actually going to use the fact that I’m giving a running commentary online to potential customers, as a means of putting more pressure on them.
But at last, a breakthrough!
A TCD representative phoned me this morning to say that they've finally sorted it out. The flight-details on our invoices are wrong. We are definitely now flying with Monarch (using an Airtours Airbus) and all the flight-times given will be different. They claim that confusion was caused during the merger of the various travel companies over the past year. They have also verified that we are in the Monarch Premium cabin. I'll be happy when we get that in writing, - especially since there's now only two weeks to go.
I shudder to think what would have happened if I hadn't badgered them relentlessly to look into it.
Steve.

 

[higgy66]

Result!

well done on getting it sorted. Better to get all the "blips" out of the way BEFORE you go!

 

[T16GEM]

So glad that it's all sorted, just reading your posts was making my blood boil!