The great package holiday rip-off!

I've worked in the travel industry for thirty years and in the last ten years I've seen a seismic change in the way the industry is run. Travel Agents are struggling to survive in an increasingly competitive market place and the window-advertised-special-offer is as much a pain for the typical travel agent as it is for the would be consumer. Whilst twenty years ago prices remained fairly static until close to departure date - these days prices are changing constantly and unless a travel agent is savvy enough to link up to an electronic-offer-board that can constantly update prices they will continue to promote out of date offers. Don't expect any real help from Trading Standards who in my experience are totally ineffective - just look at what Ryanair gets away with! The consumer has three choices, stick to a tried and trusted travel agent; research the internet for teh holiday you want and try the tour-operator direct or try dynamically-packaging your own trip/holiday online - but remember you will not be covered by any bonding scheme should an element of your dynamically packaged arrangements fail (such as a flight being cancelled or a hotel overbooking). Saving a few pounds in the short term could be costly in the long-run. A travel agent is obliged through the ABTA code of conduct to follow up any complaints to the customers satisfaction, whereas most on-line suppliers will be very difficult to contact after the matter.

Just come across this site and reader letter's; Fulvio's letter of 1st July 2010!!! Travel Agent's are like Estate Agent's; basically only too eager to pleasantly rip you off!! We pay for their high street premium' sighted location's and rates and all manner of expenses they have to find, to run their 'selective' business, which probably the average family use once, max., twice a year!! [b]So "grab the £ whilst you can".... lads and ladies!!!![/b] If you want a deal look, on the tv or internet FIRST...but have an up to date brochure from a few suppliers to make a valid comparision!!!!!, but be warned [b]DO NOT [/b]play around too many agents trying to get a better (cheaper) deal --- you know by saying [b]"£20 cheaper elsewhee; what can you do??!!"[/b] They all tend to basically sell the same deal; same flight for sure but a differing hotel maybe. Too many 'hits' on a particular requirement [FLIGHT IN PARTICULAR] - say ring x5 agents to get x5 price's - [b]and watch the price suddenly rise[/b], even from the internet or tv price. Just use your noddle and grab a bargin, but no more than x2 alternative call's to elsewhere. If you have an issue; remember...in the UK; the person who sold the holiday is your person to take task with [b]NOT[/b] the tour operator. So whatever the problem; via the agent first, [b]unless[/b] the tour operator wants to deal direct with you [is that admitting liability??] and solve the issue. When a window offer is gone at a travel agent's (or on tv/internat), so you effectively ask for something that does not exist: COMPLAIN!!!!! It is a 'draw line' to entice you too ask...but you will get sold something else!!! Speak to your local Trading Standards officer. It is the seller's responsiblity to give good advise....[b]CALLED "DUE DILLIGIENCE[/b]"....and leaving up something that is out of date, wrong, over or even [b]UNDER[/b] priced!!! - [b]is both illegal and immoral[/b].  A 'generic holiday' is that of something that does not and NEVER DID exist, but the wording relates to a whole host of potential holiday details ([i][b]alt. example[/b];[/i] recruitment companies and employment agencies illegally advertise for jobs that also NEVER exist. but the job description covers a whole lot of options/potential roles).  [b]Easy answer[/b]; Speak to your local Trading Standards officer. Do your bit to let these people know. NOBODY like the T/S people getting involved. The problem more often than not is the staff; wherever in the travel trade - they [b]do not [/b]make money and commisison/bonus [b](their targets???!!!)[/b] - by fannying aorund changing displays and updating information. [b]A special bit of advise[/b]: IF you are unhappy with your seat on the plan and have been told by ground staff "[i]to ask on the plan and the airline staff will sort you out"..[/i]..be warned; airline staff HATE their gound staff, as it is then cabin staff's problem to resolve issue's. So; if you have an issue on the plane[b] NEVER [/b]sit down and deal with seat changes after take-off, as the damgae is then done and you are in the air. The crew cannot take off whilst you stand!! So resolve the problem BEFORE take-off, then you have a better solution to an issue. ALWAYS stand your ground - and if a mouthy hostess (male or female) to deal with?, dismiss them and speak with their on-board line manager. They have to put up with you for the flight and you have to put up with them; never give in to these people, just because they smile at you! Bye by and a safe journey to you The-Space-Cadet.

I was stuck in Tenerife for the full seven days of the "Ash Cloud" crisis. Ask all of those there on "book it yourself" holidays what they think of packages now! Many folk were having to tick on thousands to maintain their accomodation and had to regularly travel to the airport, at their own expense, to check on flight availibility etc. Those of us on a package didn't even have to change rooms, we had a whole extra week of All Inclusive without having to part with a penny. The only hardship was having to check the notice board four times a day for any news updates! If you rang the Company's resort emergency helpline the first question you were asked was "Are you on a package or did you book your own flight"? Admittedly it was a very rare occurance, but then it did happen!