How much notice?

[Myakka17]

I’ve been checking a Travel Regs all day but can’t find the answer.
Who’s a guru on Package holidays?

Background

We have a villa booked with flights as part of a package with James Villas. We are flying with Jet2 to Algarve on 29th Aug.
The current news is flights cancelled until 25th Aug.
I’ve been led to believe that due to it being a package James villas have to provide us with 7 days notice.

Question

If FCO continue to advise essential travel only on the 22nd Aug( 7 day notice) if Jet2 haven’t cancelled the flight by this date will they provide 7 days notice and cancel the holiday?

Worthy of note

James villas response... what is your booking ref! I don’t think my booking ref is a significant factor in this scenario. It’s a general question on how they treat such a matter plus as it’s a sat flight and they are shut will they advise giving 8 days notice or 6.

Anybody know the answer?

[duchy]

Of course it’s an answer, different holidays will have different conditions in some cases.
If you got through to the tour operator and didn’t continue the question because they wanted to see what you booked before giving you an accurate response, that’s just silly !
It’s a very significant factor indeed !

[Myakka17]

I disagree it’s a general question not specific. I say this because they either sell Villa only or Villa with flights. Therefore this is a package and they have to abide by Travel regs which cover package holidays. Yes I appreciate it’s handy fir them to have my booking number but it’s not a necessity in order to answer the question given it’s a package is the significant part if the question. I have provided them with my booking ref.
I have an e mail address which they respond to, usually on the same day.

[duchy]

OK whatever you say, that’s my response as an ex travel agent aware it’s not always that simple. If you feel you know better and can get a reliable response elsewhere than the travel company you have booked with that is entirely your prerogative

[KarenG]

To be fair, most call centre staff are trained to never answer ‘general’ questions as it can be unhelpful without all the info handy. The same scenario doesn’t always apply.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by KarenG

To be fair, most call centre staff are trained to never answer ‘general’ questions as it can be unhelpful without all the info handy. The same scenario doesn’t always apply.

See more...

It’s not just call centres , I’ve run high street agencies when they weren’t just the chains and it was a golden rule, never discuss refunds or credits in general terms but have all the facts too. One size rarely fits all !

[Myakka17]

Lawful travel regulations as set by the government as just that lawful! I am asking what their response is to a very simple question.
Will they provide 7 days notice as set by travel regs ( lawful) even though at the 7 day point the flight hasn’t been cancelled yet FCO are still saying essential travel only.
Why does that question a require a booking ref. Surely it forms part if their current guidelines and it’s that question I’d like them to answer.
Therefore they either act by the law or they won’t.
They informed me these were the travel regs and I’m just trying to locate the actual wording.
Surely as an ex travel agent Duchy you’d know exactly where I can find them, given they most certainly would’ve formed part if your job to know !

[Myakka17]

Originally Posted by duchy

It’s not just call centres , I’ve run high street agencies when they weren’t just the chains and it was a golden rule, never discuss refunds or credits in general terms but have all the facts too. One size rarely fits all !

See more...

I don’t want a refund or a credit I want the most time possible to re book another holiday for the same weeks with them. Therefore 7 days notice us better than 5 clearly to give me more chance to organise everything.
I lead a very busy life and want to make sure I know the day they’ll call to arrange this

[Blue nose]

Personally I'd just give them the booking reference so you can get the answers you need.

[bighal]

Are you still planning to going? If so why worry? If you want to cancel regardless you would need to speak to James Villas and discuss your options. You could, in the current climate, still have your holiday cancelled hours before you go regardless of the Travel Regs.