OF course, you are right about Thomson’s new policyexcluding ‘free transfers’ on late availability packageholidays and the fact that it will cause so muchunnecessary ill will and confusion (Travel Weekly April 26).
I cannot recall from which Shakesperean play the question when is a package not a package? comes, or was it Oscar Wilde who asked ‘is this truly a package I see before me?’
Whatever the cost of a package, the client has to get to the accommodation, whether named or allocated on arrival and while operators have recently tried out various ways to recover costs, I don’t know why they say they can’t put up prices for theirlate-availability flights and holidays and at the same time expect clients to pay for those compulsory extras, ie, tickets on departure and transfers, rather than optional extras such as food or bookable seats etc.
They should not reduce their prices quite so drastically but ensure the problems are sorted out at source when the initial booking is made rather than at a foreign airport when confusion on expectations are at their most volatile, and transportation to the unknown accommodation should not be another worry.
Anyway, I was under the impression that all of their clients are expected to pay alittle more for a Thomsonholiday, but not necessarily when they least expect it.
Iam sure you are right that the possible chaos from suchmisunderstandings will give even more unnecessary clout to the Watchdog complaintmentality.
Don Rainbow
Rainbow Flights
Northampton