MyTravel, TUI and First Choice have agreed to change their contract terms following action by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
The OFT argues that consumers were not getting a fair deal over surcharging, cancellation rights and rights to compensation. The operators have agreed to change the small print in the reprints of their brochures, and agreed not to enforce the disputed terms in existing contracts.
Each operator will have to change its contract accordingly.
Some of the changes that one or all of the operators will have to make include:
Abolishing the terms that allow it to impose a surcharge if company costs rise
Giving consumers the right to transport back to the place of departure if the consumer has good reason to reject the alternative
Allowing consumers to transfer bookings to another person as long as they cover the additional costs and meet relevant conditions
Refunding insurance premiums when the consumer cancels the holiday following a significant surcharge
Stop charging the consumer the difference if their holiday is cancelled, beyond their control, and they are sent on a more expensive holiday
Offering consumers an alternative holiday, if possible, or full refund, when a significant surcharge is imposed and the consumer cancels
