p48-49 letters sep 12 8/9/08 18:50 Page 45
ttglive.com
letters
Ryanair’s debit card fees Accept responsibility for Stung by Virgin Atlantic’s
are sheer profiteering my bashed car, Airparks last-minute flight sale
What is the difference between a company We left our car at Gatwick Airparks in June while I have worked in travel for at least 15 years and
marking up Ryanair’s so-called “low cost fares” we went on holiday. On our return we discovered have always believed that scheduled flight
and Ryanair charging £4 per person per leg on that it had been dented and scratched in our prices increase the later you book and that you
debit card charges? absence. Without us moving our car we reported should always book in advance. Well, until now.
A debit card transaction will cost Ryanair in it to Airparks staff who took photos and gave us Eight weeks ago I booked flights to St Lucia
the region of £0.60 so if just one person books a copy of their report, stating that they would for myself. I checked all airlines and websites
return flights, our friends in Ireland make a review the photos, together with those taken of and I eventually booked seats with Virgin
massive £7.40 profit. I won’t even go into the the car upon arrival, and get back to us. Atlantic via TATC at a cost of £425.
percentages but surely this is sheer profiteering? After several phone calls, letters and emails, Last week I had an enquiry for the same
The hypocrisy and sheer corporate arrogance Airparks said that it accepted no responsibility. route and dates of my flights. Knowing that I
of Mr O’Leary and his minions never ceases to I have asked again and again to see copies of had booked a concession fare I advised the
amaze me. They genuinely seem to believe that the photos of our car showing it “damaged” customer that they would probably be more
we are taken in by the “we will never charge when it arrived at their car park but they won’t than £500. But it turned out the seats were now
fuel supplements” line. With the money they provide them. And I know why: they don’t exist, priced at £337 on Virgin Atlantic’s website.
make on debit card charges alone, it is little as it wasn’t damaged when we left it with them! When contacted, TATC advised me that Virgin
wonder they can make such claims. Come on Airparks, play ball. How can I recom- Atlantic had released a sale for September
mend you to clients when you treat me like this? departures. Even though it was the end of
Alistair McLean, Activities Abroad August, they could not tell me when they had
Sally Dixon, manager, Roma Travel Partners released these lower fares!
■ TTG would welcome a response from I will still continue to advise my customers
Ryanair about its debit card fees ■ TTG would welcome a response from that scheduled flight prices increase the later
Gatwick Airparks you leave them. But how can I now be confident
■ Airports parking feature, page 76 this is still correct? Or was my situation just
El Al can make your winter down to bad luck?
warmer in Eilat
In your recent winter-sun feature, I was Left hanging on the phone? Sarah Flarty
disappointed to see that in the Red Sea section Hang the operator! travel consultant, First Choice Hypermarket,
Longwood was the only recommended tour I read with amazement Caroline North’s letter Southampton
operator to Eilat (TTG August 29). about the time she had to wait to talk to some-
From October 27, El Al’s sister company, one at Goldtrail (TTG August 29). This is quite
What do you think?
Superstar Holidays, will once again be operating unacceptable behaviour from any operator and,
its winter-sun programme to Eilat, on a weekly as Goldtrail uses an 0871 number for its reser- Letter of the week wins
charter from Stansted operated by El Al’s vations, I hope that she was able to make some- a £20 voucher from
subsidiary charter airline, Sun d’Or, and is thing on the booking after her phone charges. Amazon or iTunes.
£20
commissionable at 10%. Every company taking phone calls will have The deadline for letters
The article also gave the impression that busy periods and less busy periods, and no is 10am on Tuesday.
El Al was no longer operating from the UK. company can afford to hire enough staff for the We need your name, job title and company
However, this is not the case, because this busy times so you never have to wait in a queue. address. These will be withheld on request.
winter, passengers can connect to Eilat five Our reservations line averages less than Priority is given to letters sent exclusively to
times a week with El Al scheduled services via three minutes’ holding time, so perhaps agents TTG. We reserve the right to edit letters.
Tel Aviv and we still pay 5% commission to fed up with sitting in a queue should switch Email:
ttgletters@ttglive.com
agents. their Turkey bookings to someone who cares. Fax: 020 7921 8033
Blog: Or why not have your say online?
Charlene Blake Karen Vyse Write a blog at
yourspace-ttglive.com
manager, Superstar Holidays managing director, Holidays 4U
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