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Low Cost holidaymakers likely to get just £7.78 refund | Low Cost holidaymakers likely to get just £7.78 refund |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thousands of holidaymakers who booked travel with Low Cost Holidays may get a refund of just £7.78 each, the BBC understands. | Thousands of holidaymakers who booked travel with Low Cost Holidays may get a refund of just £7.78 each, the BBC understands. |
The firm went into administration last week, leaving 27,000 customers abroad, and 110,000 with future bookings. | The firm went into administration last week, leaving 27,000 customers abroad, and 110,000 with future bookings. |
It was not registered with the UK government-backed Atol scheme, which would have compensated them in full. | It was not registered with the UK government-backed Atol scheme, which would have compensated them in full. |
Instead it had lodged £1.09m with authorities in Mallorca - enough to pay out a few pounds to each customer. | Instead it had lodged £1.09m with authorities in Mallorca - enough to pay out a few pounds to each customer. |
A spokesperson for the administrators, Smith and Williamson, said: "It is only once claims are finalised that a specific figure for compensation will become evident. However, it does seem that the amount of compensation for holidaymakers will, very unfortunately, prove to be negligible - around 1 or 2%." | |
Those currently abroad are having to pay for their hotel accommodation again, as well as other incidental costs. | Those currently abroad are having to pay for their hotel accommodation again, as well as other incidental costs. |
'Profiteering' | 'Profiteering' |
Simon Holt, from Skipton in Yorkshire, had to pay an extra £1000 so that his daughter and her friend could stay in their hotel in Portugal. | Simon Holt, from Skipton in Yorkshire, had to pay an extra £1000 so that his daughter and her friend could stay in their hotel in Portugal. |
As Low Cost had booked the flights directly with Ryanair, they are also unable to check in for a return flight online, so will have to pay an extra £45 each. | As Low Cost had booked the flights directly with Ryanair, they are also unable to check in for a return flight online, so will have to pay an extra £45 each. |
"I think it's appalling," he told the BBC. | "I think it's appalling," he told the BBC. |
"This is sheer profiteering, because I can't see how they incur any additional costs." | "This is sheer profiteering, because I can't see how they incur any additional costs." |
In a statement, the airline said: "All Ryanair customers can check-in online and download their boarding passes by entering their flight details, booking reference or credit card details, or can also use our mobile app. | In a statement, the airline said: "All Ryanair customers can check-in online and download their boarding passes by entering their flight details, booking reference or credit card details, or can also use our mobile app. |
Any queries regarding Low Cost Holidays are a matter for Low Cost Holidays." | Any queries regarding Low Cost Holidays are a matter for Low Cost Holidays." |
Several holidaymakers have complained that they received an email from the company on the day it went into administration - Friday 15 July. | |
It said the sale was being extended until Tuesday 19 July. | |
"A friend and I were hoping to get away in September, and having received the email I started looking," said Keeley Middleditch from Oxfordshire. | |
"Thank goodness I didn't book," she told the BBC. | |
'Do a deal' | 'Do a deal' |
Mr Holt's daughter Rebecca also had to pay again for airport transfers. | Mr Holt's daughter Rebecca also had to pay again for airport transfers. |
Some travellers may be covered by their insurance, providing they paid for "supplier failure". | Some travellers may be covered by their insurance, providing they paid for "supplier failure". |
Those who paid by credit card will also be able to claim compensation from their card issuer. | Those who paid by credit card will also be able to claim compensation from their card issuer. |
Bob Atkinson, from Travelsupermarket, advised those abroad, or heading out on holiday, to pay for their rooms, and try to claim compensation later. | Bob Atkinson, from Travelsupermarket, advised those abroad, or heading out on holiday, to pay for their rooms, and try to claim compensation later. |
"My advice is to do a deal with your hotel, because otherwise you're out on your own, trying to find something," he said. | "My advice is to do a deal with your hotel, because otherwise you're out on your own, trying to find something," he said. |
It is thought that Low Cost Holidays left Atol in 2013. | It is thought that Low Cost Holidays left Atol in 2013. |
Its collapse has been blamed on the fall in the value of the pound following the EU referendum result, as well as the global terrorism threat. | Its collapse has been blamed on the fall in the value of the pound following the EU referendum result, as well as the global terrorism threat. |