Location/place: Mumbai
Name of company/service: Thomas Cook
THOMAS COOK– ON A LOOTING SPREE – A CROOK COMPANY.
Being the vacation time it is in India, all of us gear up to spend a memorable holiday away from the busy city life. So was the case with us. We have planned a vacation to Europe for about 6 months now and finally decided to onboard the 18 days European Grandeur via Thomas Cook. The booking was done for 10 Pax through their trip advisor Mr Ranganathan Iyer ( +91-9819836022 [email protected]) for a price agreed and confirmed. This booking was also done in presence of Mr Parimal from AurusTravels( +91-9820229345 ). The booking was confirmed on 12thfeb 2013 and the travel date confirmed was 15th June though we were asking for a 2nd May travel but still be agreed to the travel date of 15th June 2013. The advance of Rs 50,000 per pax was paid to Thomas Cook for the same in the same week itself and they told us to complete the visa formalities.
As soon as the Visa documents were complete from our side on April 6thwe got the below mail from Thomas Cook team saying that there is an increase in the fuel surcharge from the airline. Provided we pay those charges then only would they process our visas. Below is the mail.
From: Mundhawa, Paresh [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 9:25 PM
To:Parimal
Cc: Thomas, Ravi; Iyer, Ranganathan; Gohil, Yogesh
Subject: FUEL SURCHARGES
Dear Parimal
This in regards to your booking with Thomas Cook.
As you are all aware, fuel prices have been increasing due to increase in cost of fuel. Consequently airlines across the globe have increased their fuel surcharge cost / fares on all tickets, resulting in an increase in the airfare. Subsequently we are left with no alternative but to pass on this increase to our customers.
This will apply to both adults and children. I’m also attaching fuel surcharge circular from various airlines for your reference.
The additional amount that we have to charge is as given below charges are per person.
• USA : INR 9900
• EUROPE : INR 5500
• Far East (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore) : INR 2400
• China, Japan, Hong Kong: INR 4600
• Australia / New Zealand & Rest of Africa(except Mauritius): INR 3000
We have a clear Performa Invoice and email from Thomas Cook that there would be only change in the tour price due to Euro Fluctuation to which we agreed.
Just when we asked them to collect the visa papers they told us that there is an increase in the cost and that we would have to pay Rs 5500 per pax for the tour. We tried speaking to them to justify the cost as they had taken the payment in advance and why they still hadn’t blocked the tickets. They had no answer to this. We asked them to share the flight details on which airline were we travelling and to which airline was charging such a huge surcharge and why till now they had not booked the tickets even after collecting the advance.
They shared with us a circular dated Nov 2012 from Qatar airlines. If they had the information dated Nov 2012 then for sure when they closed the deal with us in feb 2013 they would have accounted for the same. Also note they had no confirmation nor till today have the confirmation on which airline would we be travelling.
We retaliated to this and asked them to refund the amount cosof their inability to fly us at the agreed cost and for using the money till now. They came back saying that they would deduct the cancellation charges. Guys from Thomas cook like MrSujith Nair ( Regional sales head ) were also were rude in their talks and once you pay them and your money is blocked they don’t care to revert or refund the amount.
Not only companies like Thomas cook run away with your money, they spoil the entire tempo for the holiday and make you run from pillar to post with no ethics. While picking up the deal they use to call repeatedly with all the pep talk and get their tour manager along to promise you a holiday of a lifetime and once you get into their trap they have no courtesy to fulfill their promises but look for ways to trap you and extract more money from you.
Thomas cook is proving to be a taboo to the tourism industry in India and I would urge all folks booking with Thomas cook to be careful of such pranks. Till date we are waiting and have decided to take a legal action against them for such aunruly behavior and dishonest service.
Kindly refrain from travelling or booking with Thomas Cook. They are crooks.
We have all the proofs and email and can share the same with anyone who wants to understand the loot generated by ThomasCook in India.
Your truly,
Siddharth Mehta
( [email protected])
+91-9987518800
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