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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Emma Munbodh

Will I get my money back if I cancel my Thomas Cook holiday?

More than 150,000 people are currently abroad on a Thomas Cook holiday, and with thousands more due to fly out, should you be worried?

That's the question Mirror Money asked the travel giant on Friday morning - to which it replied it's 'business as usual'.

However, with several travel firms going bust in the past few years, many readers have been in touch over their cancellation rights, should they decide they no longer want to travel with Thomas Cook.

One reader who was left out of £500 pocket by hotel booking firm Amoma last week told us she's now worried her second booking to Lanzarote will collapse.

"My sister received an e-mail from holiday company Amoma saying they had gone bankrupt last week," Nikki explained.

Nikki [left} and her sister, Debby [right] are worried their holiday may not go ahead (MirrorPix)

"We had our hotel booked with them so we called the hotel, only to be told it had been cancelled and our £500 had gone down the drain.

"I've managed to claim the money back from my credit card company, and after a lot of toing and froing, finally had the money refunded earlier this week. We've now rebooked our accommodation.

"However, I've now been horrified to wake up this morning to find the company we're flying with next week - Thomas Cook - may be in trouble."

With the company's fate in the balance, Nikki is worried about what she should do next to avoid any more chaos - and to safeguard her £456.96 payment.

Another reader got in touch over fears he could be left £2,984 out of pocket on a Vegas holiday he booked for his anniversary.

"I bought a holiday and paid the deposit using Love to Shop vouchers," Neil explained.

"The rest of the money - £2,984 - was paid on my Starling Bank holiday card.

"We're meant to be going on our 10th wedding anniversary to Las Vegas on October 24th. Can I cancel holiday and get my money back?"

Here are your rights if this is the avenue you choose to pursue.

Can I cancel my Thomas Cook holiday?

If you're flying with Thomas Cook Airlines as part of your package, the following charges will apply if you cancel before any announcements are made over its financial future.

In short, the minimum cancellation charge will be £200 per person.

  • More than 84 days before departure - A full tour operator deposit of £200 per person (£250 per person long haul)

  • 84-64 days before departure - 30% (or loss of full tour operator deposit if greater)

  • 63-50 days before departure - 50% (or loss of full tour operator deposit if greater)

  • 49-29 days before departure - 70% (or loss of full tour operator deposit if greater)

  • 28-15 days before departure - 90% (or loss of full tour operator deposit if greater)

  • 14 days or fewer before departure - 100% cost of holiday

If you need to cancel your booking, it's worth getting in touch with the company before making your decision as they'll be best placed to advise on any likely changes. You can contact Thomas Cook here.

Make sure you contact them before cancelling any direct debit arrangements, as this could lead to missed payments on your credit file.

If you cancel any 'Optional Extras' ie car hires, which come at an extra cost, Thomas Cook says it will either retain the deposit paid or apply a cancellation charge (if you cancel after your full holiday cost has been paid).

What about my travel insurance?

If you've purchased your insurance through Thomas Cook, your premium will not be refunded, as cover under the policy will have started when it was first taken out.

How do I cancel my Hotel Only booking?

Thomas Cook says if you need to cancel your booking, log into the 'Manage My Booking' page online and click the Cancel Reservation button.

Depending on which hotel you've booked, you might need to pay cancellation fees. You'll find details of this in your confirmation email.

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