Rip off Thomson

**Paul M** · 27-01-2012, 19:36

While I shouldnt be surprised at the money grabbing policies of a holiday firm, Im still quite amazed at the blatent rip-offs they can obviously get away with.

I booked a holiday [online] with Thomson, and while you go through the various pages, they seem to pre-select various options which you have to remove if you dont want them.

Well it appears I missed one (excess baggage) - so I logged into their site to alter the option in my booking (i.e. untick a box, click save).

Incredibly, they want to charge me £35 for the privilage of unticking this option ! Its an "administration" fee they say.

What administration ?? Its an online web form that updates a database, there is nothing to administer, no work involved for anyone (except me).

I contacted them and got the usual fob off, no actual explanation of what this fee is supposed to cover.

What a great way to make money this is, almost like legal robbery.

Thomson - you are rip-off merchants - I hope people read this and take their custon elsewhere. You certainly wont be getting any more from me (and we are planning on an trip to the US next year).

**Maggy J** · 27-01-2012, 20:17

I share your pain but it appears to be the norm with so many air travel companies.The use of credit and debit cards to pay online will get you a 'administration fee' is another example of them extracting the urine particularly as the actual admin costs for debit cards is 20 pence.

**Hugh** · 27-01-2012, 21:53

Agree with Maggy.

I refuse to use Thomson et al for package holidays - we have arranged our own for the last 16 years, as I got so peeved off with the complexity and hidden charges.

LondonRoad · 27-01-2012, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Agree with Maggy.

I refuse to use Thomson et al for package holidays - we have arranged our own for the last 16 years, as I got so peeved off with the complexity and hidden charges.

Ironically I've booked with Thomson's for July after many years of arranging holidays. I got a free child place and I've already been to the hotel recently. Good flight times so it was a nobrainer really. I think I'll forego their regular email reminders to upgrade my package.

Apparently they reckon that there might be a shortage of cars to hire so I'm lucky that they can offer me one at rip-off prices.

martyh · 27-01-2012, 22:06

Ha ,wait 'till Alan hears about you lot being able to afford holidays damn rich buggers the lot of you ,pay more tax why don't you

Halcyon · 27-01-2012, 22:11

All the companies are at it.
It is one of the biggest rip off fees they get away with.

martyh · 27-01-2012, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

All the companies are at it.
It is one of the biggest rip off fees they get away with.

and to be honest i can see it becoming a more common practice as companies become more and more desperate to keep revenues at a level they can survive on as more customers stop spending

Sirius · 27-01-2012, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

Ha ,wait 'till Alan hears about you lot being able to afford holidays damn rich buggers the lot of you ,pay more tax why don't you

Sod Alan we need the holiday away from his bloody airport fantasies

Cobbydaler · 27-01-2012, 22:38

But Alan's airport will need mega high landing fees to recoup the cost. That means that all the travel operators will need to find sneaky ways of fleecing the public...

**Maggy J** · 27-01-2012, 22:41

The topic is Thomson not another CF member.

jodash · 28-01-2012, 18:38

we book our own holidays flights/hotels/rental car,lots cheaper then paying a TA to do it for you

SMG · 28-01-2012, 19:14

Thompson are a rip off company. One of the largest tour operators in the world, & one of the greediest. I book the same hotel every year. Its a Thompson exclusive hotel, only available from Thompson. However, the hotel does have 15 rooms that it can allocate to its own "guests".

Thompson prices, £2300 for 2 weeks, half board, 4 star, inc flights & transfers.
My price booking direct, £1300 for the same 2 weeks, half board, flights, taxis.

Everyone still makes a profit from my bookings, yet Thompson make an extra £1000.

Robbers.

**Hugh** · 28-01-2012, 19:18

Yup - we found the same thing.

The same size/type of Villa in the Thomson brochure would cost us £605 per head (x 4) including flights LBA - Mahon, and a Fiesta sized car for a week.

Doing it ourselves brings it in at under £1800 for exactly the same thing, but without a rep - I think we can manage (the £600 will pay for food, drink, and meals out).

AndyCambs · 28-01-2012, 20:27

True.You might be able to book your self cheaper but the agency/operator are also obliged to provide not only monetary protection in the event of failure but also other protection for liability as a package.

LondonRoad · 29-01-2012, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Yup - we found the same thing.

The same size/type of Villa in the Thomson brochure would cost us £605 per head (x 4) including flights LBA - Mahon, and a Fiesta sized car for a week.

Doing it ourselves brings it in at under £1800 for exactly the same thing, but without a rep - I think we can manage (the £600 will pay for food, drink, and meals out).

But you'll miss out on the welcome meeting and the opportunity to get ripped off even further for their excursions, etc.

.....presuming they still do that