Operators soften policies over Sharm
Operators have softened their booking policies in the aftermath of the Sharm El Sheikh bombings after it was felt they were being too rigid.
Although normal conditions officially apply, call centre team leaders are being empowered to use their discretion.
People with young children, for example, who are anxious about the situation are likely to be allowed to cancel or at the very least, choose an alternative holiday at no cost.
Thomas Cook maintained that customers due to travel tomorrow will not be allowed to cancel but it is believed a £30 amendment charge will be waived for an unspecified period.
First Choice meanwhile said it has extended its free amendment policy to customers due to travel before the end of August. Initially, only those departing before August 1 were being allowed to alter their arrangements without charge.
One major operator said: “Normal conditions apply but we are not going to push it. Staff are being told to use their discretion.”
Thomson meanwhile has re-packaged some of its cancelled Sharm holidays and priced them at £299 – less than half the price of the original holiday. A spokesman said 65 of the packages had been snapped up virtually overnight.
“It shows a co-operation between ourselves and hoteliers,” he said. “It also shows people are still prepared to travel.”
Report by Steve Jones
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