LowCost Holiday Company Gone

Sylvia2013 · 17-07-2016 06:42PM

I'm in the same situation, we are due to fly out to Malaga in 3 weeks, if you have received ur flight itinerary then ur flights are safe. We got ours immediately after booking and we called Aer Lingus yesterday to confirm. Unfortunately for the accommodation it probably isn't paid so you'll have to arrange something else. As far as refunds go I read the below on Irish Times website.

"People who booked package holidays – including flights and accommodation - with lowcostholidays.ie will be covered under the auspices of the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) as the travel agent is bonded under Irish law. The commission will publish the details of how people impacted can make claims on Monday."

It's also advisable that if you do re-book accommodation/transfers/car hire etc that you keep all receipts for claims.

Hope this helps.

StarBright01 · 18-07-2016 09:29AM

Latest update from the Commission of Aviation Regulation. Does this mean that they will cover accommodation as well as flightst? If not I'll go down the route so of claiming back via Bank Of Ireland (VISA) Just not sure which is the best route to go down? http://www.aviationreg.ie/news/claim-form-for-forward-bookings-for-customers-of-lowcostholidays-spain-sl.741.html

raymick · 18-07-2016 09:35AM

i was on to thomson again and cannot get a straight answer you get through to india and they havent a clue keep telling you to ring your travel agent how can i they dont exist. on the aviation website it says you cannot claim if you had no insurance am i right

StarBright01 · 18-07-2016 09:39AM

Yeah I saw this on the form "If you did not purchase travel insurance through Lowcostholidays Spain SL, you are not eligible for a refund under the Bond" ? can anyone clarify if this is correct? If so I didn't have insurance taken out yet so maybes best to claim by visa

GaGa21 · 18-07-2016 09:43AM

StarBright01 wrote:

Latest update from the Commission of Aviation Regulation. Does this mean that they will cover accommodation as well as flightst? If not I'll go down the route so of claiming back via Bank Of Ireland (VISA) Just not sure which is the best route to go down?

So it looks like CAR only cover the package holidays booked ie flights and hotel. If it's just accommodation, then you'll have to claim through insurance or bank.

meme74 · 18-07-2016 09:43AM

Anyone know how long it may take to get refund from the bond? Can't seem to get s straight answer and trying to decide whether it is best to claim through them or credit card company (only problem with credit card co is they say I can't claim until after the date of my holiday which is not until October)

meme74 · 18-07-2016 09:49AM

StarBright01 wrote: »

Yeah I saw this on the form "If you did not purchase travel insurance through Lowcostholidays Spain SL, you are not eligible for a refund under the Bond" ? can anyone clarify if this is correct? If so I didn't have insurance taken out yet so maybes best to claim by visa

This means you are not entitled to a refund of the insurance, the rest of your package can be claimed but only if you booked flights and accommodation with low cost accommodation only will not be covered.

uck51js9zml2yt · 18-07-2016 09:50AM

meme74 wrote: »

This means you are not entitled to a refund of the insurance, the rest of your package can be claimed but only if you booked flights and accommodation with low cost accommodation only will not be covered.

My reading of it is that it covers flights/ accommodation and not accommodation on its own.

ibarelycare · 18-07-2016 09:51AM

We didn't book insurance, so looks like we'll have to go directly to BOI for chargeback.

raymick · 18-07-2016 10:02AM

thomson care on twitter told me they can confirm it was booked and paid for i have asked can i get this in written confirmation but havent got anything yet any queries with lowcost and thomson have to email MTOReceivables@thomson.co.uk

meme74 · 18-07-2016 10:05AM

ibarelycare wrote: »

We didn't book insurance, so looks like we'll have to go directly to BOI for chargeback.

You don't have to have booked insurance you can still claim if you booked the package i.e. Flights and accommodation.

Have u spoken to BOI? What was their advice?

Tippex · 18-07-2016 10:10AM

StarBright01 wrote: »

Latest update from the Commission of Aviation Regulation. Does this mean that they will cover accommodation as well as flightst? If not I'll go down the route so of claiming back via Bank Of Ireland (VISA) Just not sure which is the best route to go down? http://www.aviationreg.ie/news/claim-form-for-forward-bookings-for-customers-of-lowcostholidays-spain-sl.741.html

The bonding that travel agencies are covered by only applies to packages (Flight and accommodation) if you pruchased accommodation on its own you have to do a chargeback assuming you paid by Credit / Debit card.

StarBright01 · 18-07-2016 10:16AM

Tippex wrote: »

The bonding that travel agencies are covered by only applies to packages (Flight and accommodation) if you pruchased accommodation on its own you have to do a chargeback assuming you paid by Credit / Debit card.

Tippex, the flights were confirmed for us so although we booked a package holiday we only want to claim back for the hotel and transfers as we want to try and find accommodation elsewhere hopefully. Do you think to claim back by CAR or BOI VISA?

ibarelycare · 18-07-2016 10:19AM

meme74 wrote: »

You don't have to have booked insurance you can still claim if you booked the package i.e. Flights and accommodation.

Have u spoken to BOI? What was their advice?

We did book a package but it says on the claim form:

· If you did not purchase travel insurance through Lowcostholidays Spain SL, you are not eligible for a refund under the Bond.

.

My bf is ringing BOI today as it's his CC, he's on nights at the moment so will do it this afternoon when he's awake.

Edit: Maybe I'm misunderstanding re the insurance actually - I think what I quoted just means that you won't be entitled to a refund of travel insurance, not a refund of the package...can anyone clarify?

chillin117 · 18-07-2016 10:20AM

Regarding the law On Newstalk now.

meme74 · 18-07-2016 10:36AM

ibarelycare wrote: »

We did book a package but it says on the claim form:

.

My bf is ringing BOI today as it's his CC, he's on nights at the moment so will do it this afternoon when he's awake.

Edit: Maybe I'm misunderstanding re the insurance actually - I think what I quoted just means that you won't be entitled to a refund of travel insurance, not a refund of the package...can anyone clarify?

Yes that's what I've been trying to explain, this clause is only for insurance. Obviously if you haven't booked insurance through low cost you can't claim back indurance. The rest of your package can be claimed.

lawred2 · 18-07-2016 10:38AM

lasno wrote: »

Low Cost Holidays have gone into administration
http://www.travelextra.ie/low-cost-goes-administration/

those @rseholes were still pimping 60% holiday sales three days ago

Tippex · 18-07-2016 10:39AM

StarBright01 wrote: »

Tippex, the flights were confirmed for us so although we booked a package holiday we only want to claim back for the hotel and transfers as we want to try and find accommodation elsewhere hopefully. Do you think to claim back by CAR or BOI VISA?

The CAR will have a copy of your booking and will go through the whole process you will need to complete the claim form on the site http://www.aviationreg.ie/news/claim-form-for-forward-bookings-for-customers-of-lowcostholidays-spain-sl.741.html

ideb · 18-07-2016 10:42AM

Maybe I'm misunderstanding re the insurance actually - I think what I quoted just means that you won't be entitled to a refund of travel insurance, not a refund of the package...can anyone clarify?[/QUOTE]

That is correct. Package holidays are covered. Accommodation only isn't. The cost of your insurance is covered by the bond IF your Insurance is with LOWCOST. If not, you still have insurance so you aren't due the money you paid for insurance.

Examples: You booked a Package holiday without insurance and you have learned that your flights have been paid for but your accommodation hasn't so you have to pay for the accommodation again. You can claim through CAR for the accommodation but not the flights. So in other words, you can only claim back whatever money you have actually lost.

Tippex · 18-07-2016 10:42AM

ibarelycare wrote: »

We did book a package but it says on the claim form:

.

My bf is ringing BOI today as it's his CC, he's on nights at the moment so will do it this afternoon when he's awake.

Edit: Maybe I'm misunderstanding re the insurance actually - I think what I quoted just means that you won't be entitled to a refund of travel insurance, not a refund of the package...can anyone clarify?

Yes that is purely on the travel insurance not the package.

Andy Magic · 18-07-2016 10:54AM

I used them last year for Majorca and they were awful dodgy to deal with. There website kept crashing when on the last page of booking, i rang them and got an agent (some guy working from home in the UK) who ended up over charging me :mad:

ibarelycare · 18-07-2016 10:57AM

meme74 wrote: »

Yes that's what I've been trying to explain, this clause is only for insurance. Obviously if you haven't booked insurance through low cost you can't claim back indurance. The rest of your package can be claimed.

ideb wrote: »

That is correct. Package holidays are covered. Accommodation only isn't. The cost of your insurance is covered by the bond IF your Insurance is with LOWCOST. If not, you still have insurance so you aren't due the money you paid for insurance.

Tippex wrote: »

Yes that is purely on the travel insurance not the package.

Thanks all. Will complete the claim today. I don't suppose anyone has any idea how long it will take to be processed?

I take it there's no need now to contact our credit card company?

ideb · 18-07-2016 10:57AM

Quick breakdown of how I see this (NOTE, I am not an expert in this, just have some knowledge of the bonding scheme.

You booked accommodation only = Not covered by CAR. May be covered by your own insurance company (highly unlikely) If you paid by Credit Card, you are probably covered by that.

You booked flights only = Check with Airline as to whether your tickets are valid. If so, you're good to go, if not then you can claim the costs of the flights through CAR.

You booked a package = As I said earlier, you are covered for whatever part of the trip you paid for, but hasn't been honored by Lowcost.

Hope this helps. If anyone has any other specific examples not addressed above, post them and we can all hopefully help one another get the best options for people.

I have one question of my own. Do banks cover Visa Debit payments or is it only Visa Credit cards?

The Bishop Basher · 18-07-2016 10:58AM

ideb wrote: »

I have one question of my own. Do banks cover Visa Debit payments or is it only Visa Credit cards?

You can request a chargeback on either...

spain33 · 18-07-2016 10:59AM

Ok so my flights are fine so I have rebooked accommodation. I paid for travel insurance with Low Cost which obviously is useless now. I want to get the ball rolling on claiming my money back as Bank of Ireland told me it can take up to 120 days which is obviously ages.

What I am confused about now is who I should be lodging my claim with. If I go through CAR and they say no then I will be delayed significantly in getting the money back but I think the bank may tell me I should have gone through them? Will it be difficult to claim for the accommodation only now that I am using my flights?

meme74 · 18-07-2016 10:59AM

ideb wrote: »

Quick breakdown of how I see this (NOTE, I am not an expert in this, just have some knowledge of the bonding scheme.

You booked accommodation only = Not covered by CAR. May be covered by your own insurance company (highly unlikely) If you paid by Credit Card, you are probably covered by that.

You booked flights only = Check with Airline as to whether your tickets are valid. If so, you're good to go, if not then you can claim the costs of the flights through CAR.

You booked a package = As I said earlier, you are covered for whatever part of the trip you paid for, but hasn't been honored by Lowcost.

Hope this helps. If anyone has any other specific examples not addressed above, post them and we can all hopefully help one another get the best options for people.

I have one question of my own. Do banks cover Visa Debit payments or is it only Visa Credit cards?

From your knowledge of the bonding scheme have you any idea how long it takes to get processed snd get your refund? Trying too see which is the better option- claiming through the bond or claim inning through credit card).

My understanding is that there is not much difference whether you paid by debit or credit card, each are entitled to a chargeback

andrew1977 · 18-07-2016 11:02AM

ideb wrote: »

Quick breakdown of how I see this (NOTE, I am not an expert in this, just have some knowledge of the bonding scheme.

You booked accommodation only = Not covered by CAR. May be covered by your own insurance company (highly unlikely) If you paid by Credit Card, you are probably covered by that.

You booked flights only = Check with Airline as to whether your tickets are valid. If so, you're good to go, if not then you can claim the costs of the flights through CAR.

You booked a package = As I said earlier, you are covered for whatever part of the trip you paid for, but hasn't been honored by Lowcost.

Hope this helps. If anyone has any other specific examples not addressed above, post them and we can all hopefully help one another get the best options for people.

I have one question of my own. Do banks cover Visa Debit payments or is it only Visa Credit cards?

This is the one answer I am looking for also, I booked a hotel with them Friday lunchtime for 1000 euro, still pending on my account to go through to them.
Bank cant cancel it as its authorised, they cant tell me yes/no if the payment will go through to them or the money fall back to my account.
I asked them to confirm (Permanent TSB) on 4 separate phone calls if my visa debit will get me my money back, they were not committing to confirm .

Various people say Visa Debit holds the same protection as Visa Credit, but nothing concrete can I find on any reputable website/source.

Tippex · 18-07-2016 11:03AM

ibarelycare wrote: »

Thanks all. Will complete the claim today. I don't suppose anyone has any idea how long it will take to be processed?

I take it there's no need now to contact our credit card company?

No idea how long this could take. it will all depend on the volume of bookings that the CAR are to go through. They will be trying to manage who is in resort and those due to travel over the next couple of weeks as the priority.

ideb · 18-07-2016 11:16AM

As Tippex said, I doubt even CAR know how long it is going to take them, especially since they apparently are still awaiting the Customer bookings list from the Company!!

Interesting point in the CAR form:
Third Party Payments
An example of a third party is where you have rebooked a holiday with another Travel Agent/Tour Operator and you wish them to
receive the refund due to you under your claim. If you assign payment of your claim to a Travel Agent/Tour Operator please check
they are licensed and bonded with the Commission for Aviation Regulation before assigning them. The
Commission can not make payments to Travel Agent/Tour Operators that do not have the appropriate licence.

I would advise people to start asking their local Travel Agents to arrange this. Tippex, you mentioned that you thought CAR might appoint a TA to do the rebookings. Do you still think they will?

Tippex · 18-07-2016 11:24AM

ideb wrote: »

As Tippex said, I doubt even CAR know how long it is going to take them, especially since they apparently are still awaiting the Customer bookings list from the Company!!

Interesting point in the CAR form:
Third Party Payments
An example of a third party is where you have rebooked a holiday with another Travel Agent/Tour Operator and you wish them to
receive the refund due to you under your claim. If you assign payment of your claim to a Travel Agent/Tour Operator please check
they are licensed and bonded with the Commission for Aviation Regulation before assigning them. The
Commission can not make payments to Travel Agent/Tour Operators that do not have the appropriate licence.

I would advise people to start asking their local Travel Agents to arrange this. Tippex, you mentioned that you thought CAR might appoint a TA to do the rebookings. Do you still think they will?

Yep the CAR neither have the resources nor the expertise to actually manage the bookings so there will definitely be an agency (possibly more than one) that will take over the management. (When I was involved it was only for a small number of bookings when a smaller agency closed up shop and I cannot for the life of me remember how long it took for the Agency I worked for to be appointed). There is a huge amount of work involved in taking over these bookings and I'm honestly not sure if too many agencies will have the capacity to take these over at the moment hence why I think it could be a number of agencies.

LowCost Holiday Company Gone

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