TCD cocked it up big time

[brer rabbit 28]

Just felt the need to tell you all what TCD have done to our May trip.
We booked flydrive with them to be there May 11th so Mum and i could spend Mothers day in Epcot-we were really excited.

They called today to tell me that our flights were cancelled due to lack of interest-in November?????
They offered a flight out on the 17th but that was all-too late for us, i said.Nor could they offer an earlier flight,nor any sympathy to the situation.I was told they can cancel flights at anytime as they are charter flights.

So now i have to try and change my hotel booking with dreams unlimited and find a more suitable time for us to fly-not when they dictate.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

They cancel with 6 months to go - how do they know the flight won't be full?
Sounds like a poor excuse to me - hope you get something sorted.

 

[Night-train]

Another good reason for going scheduled in my opinion!

 

[Minniespal]

Very poor excuse ~ The flights have still 6 months to go

 

[wildwoods]

Hello
It is not just TCd that do this, in 2004 we had a holiday booked with virgin
9 months in advance they then
~changed the departure airport from Gatwick to Heathrow
~8 months to go change the departure dates and time by 5 days
~6 months to go (and the final straw) changed the arrival airport from orlando to Miami !!!
they would not offer us any recompence for the journey from Miami to Orlando or help with the hotel we would need in Miami.
We cancelled the holiday as it was a Material change and went with TCd which were great.

then this year 2006 we booked with flywho(because they flew from Brum) , who cancelled our flights with 8 weeks notice so we didnt get a holiday ~ this was half term week as well
we have now booked with TCd for next year so keeping our fingers crossed

have you put a post on TCD forum ?
It seems strange that today they(TCD Forum) have taken down their calendar of holidays/flights for forum members

 

[Miffy2003]

Oh dear, I am really sorry to hear that. How disappointing that must been when you have planned your trip around your flight (as indeed we all do!)

I suppose they have forecasting models and if the flight is not XX% full XX days before flying then they do cancel them, even so far in advance.

That said, I would not be at all happy to be told now but I'm sure you will find another way to celebrate Mother's Day when you do get there

I hope you get it sorted out - I'm sure you will

 

[wildwoods]

TCD are really messing you and other potential customers around
On thier website they still have flights to book online for 3 5 10 12 & 17 May(Manchester) WHAT are they playing at ???

 

[Chilly]

I am really sorry to hear that, it makes me thankful that i've never had such problems, I hope you sort something else out soon.

 

[Cyrano]

Hope you manage to work something else out

 

[jen_uk]

Hope you get something sorted.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Well, i spoke to them again this morning as 17th May is not possible for us.We asked to swap our dates to December 2007 as we sat last night with our diaries out trying to find a suitable time for us both with work commitments. (I am truly upset about mothers day as for 10 years i have worked as a florist and Mum has never seen me on Mothers day-this was my chance to make it up to her).

Anyway,TCD have transfered my booking-HOWEVER,it has cost us £600 more and they only had sunshine first available,no sunshine premium as we had booked.They refused to honour the difference in price even though it is their error.
I was also told that the reason it was cancelled is that,"we had bitten off more than we can chew this year and booked in extra flying days.We are not getting the interest we thought we would so had to cancel several flights".
also,"as this is a charter flight we can do this anytime,we can also downgrade your seating if necessary without any warning,although this is unlikely to happen with your new booking".
They didn't give a hoot about the upset they may have caused to may passengers in doing this.I have always championed TCD over the years,now i am feeling sorely let down and nervous that the same will happen to our December booking.

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Brer Rabbit.
We booked with TCD last summer... trying to have an open mind..and after what we went through with them... not going into details again.. but, put it this way... they will never be our first choice ever again!
I think it is quite disgusting the way they treat their customers, when they do have problems. Their poor customer service is probably one of the reasons that they won't get as much repeat business.. hence empty planes!
I think I would have asked for a refund from them and had a look round for flights on the days you originally wanted.. especially when you've had to pay extra..
I honestly can't believe that they've made you pay £600 more.. when it was all their fault! Its disgusting.
I do hope you have a great time, when you eventually get there!
Good Luck
Tracy

 

[Miffy2003]

(I am truly upset about mothers day as for 10 years i have worked as a florist and Mum has never seen me on Mothers day-this was my chance to make it up to her).

Well no wonder you are particularly upset then, that's such a shame.

I also think it's a poor show they are charging you more! It's not worth threatening Watchdog? I know it's in their t&cs but still! A gesture of goodwill would at least be to price match your previous holiday price.

 

[Lizzybear]

Oh how awful for you and your mum, i'm so sorry you've had to deal with this =[ I can't believe how TCD have treated you too, over THEIR error no less!

 

[carolfoy]

How horrible, but bear in mind ANY airline can do this, not just charter. It does resolve itself when you've booked a package holiday but doing things DIY can always present problems like this. Just recently Easyjet cancelled half its bristol to venice flights, those passengers booked package with Cresta were fine, those who booked seperately (and saved themselves £20) were then stuck with hotel cancellation charges.
I do think its a bit odd they've done it this far ahead though.
Also, any airline can downgrade you if they want to blame 'change of equipment' etc, its just unlucky you've been caught both ways.

 

[Julia Ann]

I really hope your trip works out a great time anyway.....when you get there you will forget about all the hassle.

I have always booked a package holiday ...flight/hotel/car and after just coming back from our 4 orlando trip, 2nd time in the same hotel and we have loads of fly miles from virgin we were seriously going to look at booking it all separately (mainly to get the free upgrade on the flight with the miles) but now i think i would rather have hassle free travel and stick to the package holidays.

 

[highlander447]

Globespan have just done same to us, so I cancelled after they agreed to a refund and got Continental flights £150 cheaper in total

 

[angel659]

Hi

Its horrible though. What terrible customer service. It makes me nervous for our holiday now. We leave on the 9th Sept 07 for two weeks staying PORR. I hope this doesnt happen to us. We have never flown with TCD before and it took alot for us to agree to chance TCD. Only because VH could not accomodate us in PORR. Fingers crossed.

I hope you have a great time when you get there. Its devastating though.

 

[LorraineH]

Good luck with sorting it all out.

We booked with TCD in April 06 for our Feb 07 trip and upgraded to Sunshine First in Aug.

But now you tell me they can downgrade us? Why would they downgrade anyone? I am assuming that we would get the money we've paid back?

I just dont quite see why they would downgrade?

Any ideas?

 

[brer rabbit 28]

ihave heard horror storied before about people being downgraded without refund,no idea why though.The plane we are now booked on in december is a smaller one so no sunshine premium,only first and economy.
They advised me that as it is a saturday flight then the chances of anything else being changed to our booking are slim-it seems to be the out of season friday flights that are getting hit.