Brits cancelling summer breaks to Turkey with Thomson, First Choice and Thomas Cook after failed coup WON’T get refunds
FAMILIES who cancel their holiday to trouble hit Turkey after the attempted military coup will lose their summer break AND their money.
Package holiday companies and travel agents do not have to give refunds even though the country is in the middle of a violent uprising.
Furious holidaymakers have slammed the no refunds stance as they face being left out of pocket.
Engine tester Ryan Dixon spent £1,428 on a holiday with his wife and 3-year-old daughter Grace, but says he can't give it away now.
He told the Sun Online: "We didn't even want to go to Turkey but was talked into it in the Thomson shop because you get better value for money.
"I went in to get a refund at the weekend but had to walk out because they didn't listen.
"Thomson have been digusting throughout this whole thing."
Mr Dixon, 27, from Great Haywood in Staffordshire, has tried to flog the holiday on Facebook but has had no offers.
He is calling for a full refund.
He added: "My three year old saw the violence in Turkey on TV and asked why the man had blood on his face.
"Thomson should have the guts to make their own decisions and not hide behind the Foreign Office."
Nottingham's Liz Ayres, who had booked a £2,400 holiday for her family of five through Thomas Cook said: "I am desperately seeking a refund on a two week holiday to Turkey for 30th July.
"I am too terrified to travel after what has happened recently.
"The only response I get from Thomas Cook is to say it is all now calm and reps saying everything carrying on as normal in coastal resorts.
"However I feel we cannot travel as we have been twice in previous years and like to enjoy days out at local water parks as well as meals in the local town, all part of the holiday experience. None of which I feel we would be able to do in the current situation."
Travel firms will not be forced to issue refunds or alternative flights unless the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues an official warning.
As it stands the only warning is for travelling Brits to check with French authorities.
The US has banned all flights to the country.
Some UK airlines are allowing you to rebook flights out of goodwill but these are in the minority.
Thomson, FirstChoice, both owned by Tui, and Thomas Cook insist 'normal booking conditions apply'.
If you have booked to travel in the next 14 days you could lose 100 per cent of the holiday fee.
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If you were due to travel in 15 to 28 days the cancellation fee is up to 90 per cent.
Thomas Cook initially offered free amendments or cancellations for all customers due to fly to Turkey at the weekend but has now withdrawn that offer.
Holidaymakers took to social media to vent.
Mark Owen Thorpe wrote: "Thomas Cook and other Tour operators are hiding behind FCO statements in the pursuit of money. So much for customer care.
"Left well in the lurch by Thomas Cook. hiding behind T&Cs and the FCO.
"So much for customer care and safety.
"I will never book with Thomas Cook again over you handling of customers going to Turkey. Shame on you!!"
Arrshyan Young wrote: "Booked a holiday to Turkey with Thomson cant cancel to late no discounts offered NEVER using them again.
"How do they sleep at night?"
The FCO has set a 'high' terrorism risk and told Brits to avoid public demonstrations, but stopped short of a no travel warning.
Its latest advices says the situation "appears to be calming" but warns it "remains potentially volatile".
Thomson defended its stance saying: "As the Government's FCO advice for travel to Turkey has not changed, Thomson and First Choice flights to Dalaman, Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum are operating as normal.
"Normal booking conditions apply.
"We are continuing to closely monitor the situation, together with the relevant authorities.
"The safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority and like all airlines and holiday companies follow the advice of the UK Government and the FCO. "
also said there has been no change in its usual refund policy.
A spokesman added: "We have received a high volume of calls from customers due to travel, the majority of which were from customers seeking reassurance and have not translated into cancellations.
"To date, cancellations have been minimal.
“There has been no change to Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice regarding travel to Turkey and our flight and holiday programme is operating as normal.
"Our staff on the ground in resort tell us is that everything is calm and customers are enjoying their holidays."
Turkey relies on its tourism industry, with 2.5 million Brits flocking to its beaches every year.
Violence erupted over the weekend after a failed military coup resulting in hundreds of deaths.
Brit holidaymakers reported the sound of bombs shaking their walls while others were stranded at the airport.
Most of the trouble is concentrated in the cities but there have been threats to the airports, including last month's attack on Istanbul's main airport, Ataturk, which was hit by a triple suicide bombing, killing 41.
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