Why can't we change names?

[rupert the dog]

Sadly, my daughter's marriage has pretty much hit the rocks. They've got a week's holiday to a Greek island booked for mid-June, and rather than cancel they suggested did we want to take it over, paying any amendment fees. On looking at the tour operator's site, you're not allowed to change all of the names, at least one of the original bookers must be included. Why? Surely if I'm prepared to pay the £35pp charge to change the names it's easy all round? The operators don't have to resell the holiday, and my daughter doesn't simply lose her money by having to cancel at such a late date. Seems a shame for all concerned. Any views?

[rpguk]

Well if they cancel outright then the tour operator doesn't have to resell the holiday but at least still has the option. They also get to keep the money from the original booking. Win win for them and there is no incentive to let you go other then goodwill and decency.

On the face of it I guess they can use the argument that people would buy when cheap and sell on closer to the date when the price goes up but lets be honest it's because they can occasionally get lucky as above for the sake of a line in the terms.

Edited by rpguk on Tuesday 25th May 13:21

[amir_j]

rupert the dog said:

Sadly, my daughter's marriage has pretty much hit the rocks. They've got a week's holiday to a Greek island booked for mid-June, and rather than cancel they suggested did we want to take it over, paying any amendment fees. On looking at the tour operator's site, you're not allowed to change all of the names, at least one of the original bookers must be included. Why? Surely if I'm prepared to pay the £35pp charge to change the names it's easy all round? The operators don't have to resell the holiday, and my daughter doesn't simply lose her money by having to cancel at such a late date. Seems a shame for all concerned. Any views?

Have they tries asking the travel operator? May well do something out of goodwill and in view of future custom.

[theboymoon]

phone the TO, if they are a decent setup they should be able to do this for you even if the blurb on the web says otherwise.

If someone came to us with the same request, we would do this for our clients.

[Amateurish]

rupert the dog said:

Sadly, my daughter's marriage has pretty much hit the rocks. They've got a week's holiday to a Greek island booked for mid-June, and rather than cancel they suggested did we want to take it over, paying any amendment fees. On looking at the tour operator's site, you're not allowed to change all of the names, at least one of the original bookers must be included. Why? Surely if I'm prepared to pay the £35pp charge to change the names it's easy all round? The operators don't have to resell the holiday, and my daughter doesn't simply lose her money by having to cancel at such a late date. Seems a shame for all concerned. Any views?

Check the terms and condition of your holiday booking

[Pabl0]

Will they let you change it twice?

Leave one original name on for first change. Then remove the original name for the second change you stil have an 'original' name on for second change -IYSWIM.

I suspect their software will not spot you dont have an actual 'original' booked person. I know £70 instead of £35 but better than losing the deposit I suspect.

[Engineer1]

I'd guess the having to keep one name on the booking is to stop you booking a speculative holiday cheap then sell it on, speak to the tour operator as they may bend the rules given that it is a family issue rather than someone trying to sell their £400 holiday for £600. Of course it all depends on the purpose of them keeping one original name on the booking.

[anonymous-user]

This is the problem with the Internet - you only read the rules and it stops you phoning up PEOPLE to find out if there is a solution.

[theboymoon]

garyhun said:

This is the problem with the Internet - you only read the rules and it stops you phoning up PEOPLE to find out if there is a solution.

[sneijder]

rupert the dog said:

Sadly, my daughter's marriage has pretty much hit the rocks.

... is how you should start the phone conversation.