FLIGHT CLUB Families left out of pocket after collapse of travel firm
later, we went to the shop again.
“They dropped the bombshell – we were on our own and would have to claim via the CAA.”
Calum contacted their credit card company, Halifax, but it too referred him to the CAA.
John and Mary Watson, of Cowdenbeath, are £1120 down for flights to Barbados.
They had a flight-only booking, so no ATOL protection – but they’d used a Nationwide credit card and thought they were safe.
John booked alternative flights costing £1300 for the three-week holiday to Rockley Beach on the island’s south coast.
They were relieved when, on October 2, Nationwide said their money had been recovered. But on October 21, it changed its tune.
John said: “Nationwide said it had reviewed our case and there was no basis for them to settle under the Consumer Credit Act as Thomas Cook contracts include a term excluding them from any consequential losses.”
He and Mary, 72, contacted Cit izens’ Advice and the ombudsman and called me.
John, 73, said: “I thought paying by credit card gave me insurance protection for this very scenario.”
Jim and Margaret Cochran lost £ 303 for deposits and car parking. They had two live bookings for Thomas Cook holidays to Tenerife – for January and May – when it collapsed.
They were paying for the first break monthly and were delighted when ATOL announced that direct debit customers would be automatically refunded.
But the couple, of Hamilton, are still out of pocket for deposits of £ 200 for the holidays and £103.59 for parking with Holiday Extras, both paid by debit card.
Jim, 67, said: “I’ve tried to get the money back but have been told it is non-refundable. Could you please help?”
The good news is Nationwide paid up for John and offered a goodwill gesture, Halifax and Barrhead Travel are on the case for Calum and Holiday Extras has refunded Jim.
Bar rhead Trave l sa id: “Information was changing day to day which is why differing advice was given. We are working hard to help customers.”
Halifax said: “Mr Johnstone booked his holiday through a third party, part of which included f l ights with Thomas Cook.
“We advised him to seek a refund through the third party but are available if he’d would like to claim under s75.”
The CAA asked people who hadn’t yet claimed to do so direct via its website.
It added: “The val idation process is well under way.”
But consumer law specialist Frank Johnstone, of Brodies LLP, said credit card customers should contact their banks.
He added: “There is nothing to prevent consumers claiming via ATOL and their credit card granter at the same time to see which one comes good, but they must not recover their loss twice.”