Written on: 05/12/2012 by Jintyscot
Today I phoned Direct holidays AGAIN concerened about the reveiws of our upcoming holiday to the Ficus Apartments, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, worried and distredded about the reviews on trip advsor, (break ins galore) had previously phoned them a few weeks back concerned because somone in these apts had intruders who had a knife, and was told themn there was no problem that they knew off............... I have just been told that if i have concerns when we are there to contact the... (read more)
Written on: 20/08/2012
I received a great service when using Direct Holidays! The website was so easy to use compared to others I have used in the past, and the booking process was very quick with everything on one page (unlike others which have 4 or 5 pages for different 'extras' to select!). I got a great deal for my holiday, and had no problems with travelling or the hotel. I will be using them again! (read more)
Written on: 16/08/2012 by lonace (1 review written)
I needed to book a holiday really quick and I got the best service ever. The travel consultant (Caroline) was really helpful when I did the booking.I just came back from my holiday in Tenerife and the whole experience was fantastic.Thanks for making everything so easy and special. I will recommend this to all my family and friends (read more)
Written on: 03/08/2012
JUST BOOKED A HOLIDAY FOR NEXT YEAR TO THE CANARIES,PHONED DIRECT HOLIDAYS A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE BOOKING JUST TO CONFIRM A FEW THINGS AND SPOKE TO A GENT CALLED LAURENCE.THE SERVICE I RECEIVED OFF HIM WAS SECOND TO NONE HE WAS VERY POLITE AND GENUINE WITH A LOVELY MANNER HE EVEN PROVIDED ME WITH HIS EMAIL ADDRESS SO I COULD CONTACT HIM WHEN I WAS READY TO BOOK,AND THATS WHAT I DID AND MY DECISION FOR THIS WAS NOT ONLY BASED ON THE PRICE BUT ALSO ON HIM AND THE FIRST CLASS SERVICE HE... (read more)
Written on: 21/07/2012
I tried to book an advertised trip to Bali with this company and no one bothered responding even though I contacted them three times. In addition, I have been receiving unsolicited emails from this company for a while and I'm unable to remove myself from their mailing list. When I click on the 'unsubscribe' button I'm told I'm being forwarded their spam from a friend (definitely untrue) and I should visit their website. Unsurprisingly there's no way of removing yourself from their mailing... (read more)
Written on: 12/02/2012 by bigkevsuk (4 reviews written)
there brochure says no hidden extras including on board meals,first they tried to move us from humerside to east midlands, we paid extra to bring holiday forword to stay at humberside, then we had a flight time change in november, then in feburary we get a further flight time change and get a night flight , we are also told we have been booked on to a low cost airline and no meals or hot drinks are avalable, unless we pay 50 euros to the low cost airline, so much for no hidden extras, we had... (read more)
Written on: 11/07/2011 by Nikki4648 (1 review written)
This is the 3rd holiday where we have booked from Leeds/Bradford airport our local airport to have it changed to Manchester even thought it is still 10 months till we travel. We dont want to go from Manchester , so why do they take the bookings. we wont be booking with them again. Will use our own local Jet 2 holidays so we can travel from our local airport and not have to travel over the pennines on the m62.They didnt even send a letter it was just another invoice when we checked it had... (read more)
Written on: 21/06/2011
I paid my holiday via the robot 13.6.11 today I have received 3 letters from them informing that I have not paid the holiday. I have been on and off the telephone for the past 4 hours and still not got a result. When I used the robot service I was given an auhtorisation code to confirm payment was made, the bank today (telephone & visiting) have confirmed the payment was debited from my account 3 days later and paid to Thomas Cook Operators. I have tried to call them again and unsucessful... (read more)
Written on: 18/05/2011
Due to unforeseen circumstances 2 of the 5 in our party have got to cancel but after 5 days on the phone I still havent got through very bad customer service used to be ok before they teamed up with thomas cook at least you could get through to them (read more)
Written on: 06/04/2011
I havent even been on my holiday yet, they changed my flights to the first holiday we booked, by 4 days which was unsuitable, so we tried to change the holiday well it took us 4 days and 5 hrs of phone calls to get through, we changed it, got the invoice through, says my 2 children 10 and 8 boy and girl had to share a single bed and sleep head and tail, again tried to ring through took me 2 days and 3 hrs of phone calls to get through, the operator said they would ring the hotel and get back... (read more)
Written on: 12/01/2011
Never try and price match through this company!!! Even though it is an internet company it will NOT price match against any other internet company so when they say they have a 'price match guarantee'...... they don't.
You can book the same holiday cheaper through HolidayHypemrmarket.co.uk or Beatthebrochure.co. Question it and the company comes back with all sorts of excuses...none of them relevant!
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Written on: 12/08/2010
I staying in dom pancho appartments with anthony as my rep, he is the worse rep that i dealt with , on the day before i left in did not arive at the the appointed time for the visit at the appartments in the space of 20 mins the pick up detailts arrived but we were informed at 6pm tbat there would be no visits due to training i am not happy and will bring it further
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Written on: 03/08/2010
went to turkey with my girl freind in june 2009 cost 600 fo 1 week allinculsive perfect holiday nothink rong at all im going to turkey in september an i devently will be bookiwith direct holidays i woul advise people to go in to the store you have a laff if you get the rite person (read more)
Written on: 11/07/2010
booked on 3 occasions with direct holidays and on those 3 occasions my departure times were changed ( by at least 8-10hrs) day was changed and so was departure airport. never took calls or aknowledged letter, holidays on offer only cater for those travellers who dont (or no longer)work. worst company ever.Why dont these holiday companies take into consideration people who like me work full time and can only take allocated holidays (read more)
Written on: 19/05/2010
got married in the dominican rep 3 years latter still waiting for a wedding certificate customer service rubbish says just wait bet they tell all new couples you can wait years and more to be legaly married you cant change your name or if you want a dirvoce you cant also the hotel we stayedin rooms were not cleaned when we got there and as for a honeymoon suite no chance. (read more)
Written on: 26/04/2010 by mrs linda hammond (1 review written)
I Have booked three holidays with this company.Have just come back from goa in India we stayed in The Aldea Santa Rita in Candolim a fantastic hotel.We where looked after when our flight was canceld because of the Icelantic volcano,we did not have to pay a single penny for our extra time there.I would recomend Direct holidays to family & friends, each one has been better than the last one.
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Written on: 10/02/2010
When you contact the Customer Service they auto put you on hold...enough time to mow the lawn & wash the car it time it takes for them to come back, and then you have to repeat yourself. I am sure it's just a phone-con
Absolute rubbish...avoid at all cost!!
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Written on: 02/02/2010
I have rated the above one star, only because it was mandatory in order to proceed to write this review.
I, and everyone I have spoken to are absolutely disgusted in this company for their underhand way in which they have delt with my custom. Having worked in the travel industry for many years before moving on to pastures new, I had delt with many issues relating to travel in my time. I have never however, come across such a shambles as Direct Holidays.
Upon perusing the Direct Holidays...
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Written on: 18/12/2009
I booked to Rhodes (from Belfast) in 2007 and they changed our flights by more than a week - caused a bit of hassle - but got sorted. Booked in July 09 for holiday in July 2010 with 3 other families and full deposits paid and now totally by accident I have found they have cancelled the flights and that is 3 very upset families without summer holidays for next year - never will I use Direct Holidays again!!!!!!! (read more)
Written on: 25/10/2009 by sonofagun (1 review written)
Booked a week in Tenerife this October and had a great holiday no problems whatsoever. I initially seen the holiday i wanted to book on the internet and being very short notice decided to call to book rather than online for piece of mind. They are part of the Thomas Cook Group so are a professional outfit and everything went very smoothly from start to finish. Bad reviews seem to be due to inflexability which you would expect from the good value last minute deals they sell. If you know what... (read more)
Written on: 07/09/2009
Having just returned from our favourite holiday spot in mallorca @ sol mastines/chihuahuas we have decided not to return again. I have been back on several occasions but this is now a Direct Holidays resort with a 3 tier board system. full, 1/2 and self catering, we opted for the 1/2 board option and paid £1500 for 2 weeks and felt that we were the support for the much cheaper full boarders, it is more like magaluf. (read more)
Written on: 28/08/2009
Stayed at Plessas Palace Alykanas Zante pleasantly suprised to find enclosed shower, tv, aircon (paid for locally 50 Euros/week)and usual self catering equipment (not used. Comfortable beds and quite a spacious studio room. Staff very helpful, quiet around pool(plenty of sunbeds) although may have been due to current financial situation.
Meals in the resort varied from 20 to 50 euros for two with wine, beer form 1.5 E and cocktails form 2.5E. Flight with Thomas Cook arrived almost an hour...
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Written on: 09/06/2009
Booked a two week holiday with Direct Holidays to Florida last November, A very good price with a villa for just two adults and one child aged ten. We even got a free child place. The tickets came on time nothing had changed. The flight was good and the accommodation exellent. A five bed villa which was beautifully appointed in a fantastic quiet neighbourhood. Everything went well this was the second time we had booked with them. (read more)
Written on: 23/05/2009
I sent a cheque to pay for my holiday a month ago but they gave me an address in peterbough and it should have been bradford, so the cheque got mislaid in there internal post,
Direct Holidays rang me to say they have not recieved payment i told them what happened they did not care.
they would not except another cheque as they said it was too late,and would only except a credit card now.
as the money was in a high interest account we could only withdraw once so could not withdraw again even...
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Written on: 13/11/2008 by flux22
Good accommodation but rubbish/non-existent service and awful airlines. We had a great holiday DESPITE them, but only because of the accommodation. Bad points, the flights, the reps, the service in general. I would recommend that you book privately. (read more)
Written on: 22/07/2008
Firstly, our family booked a holiday to Portugal in order to meet with a family friend on a resort we went to last year.....well, this year, not only did they change out flights a few months back to flights that don't suit us (bearing in mind, we had paid the extra for good flight times), now 3 weeks before I am due to fly with my suit case almost packed, I am informed that they have overbooked my hotel and that they intend to send me to a completely different resort....there are 2 children... (read more)
Written on: 18/06/2008 by spiritof74 (1 review written)
Booked and paid for our holiday to Bulgaria last August. Now 12 days to departure and still waiting on our tickets. Have phoned numerous times since last August requesting a receipt for payment and were assured each time one would be sent. Twice yesterday we were promised emails to prove we have paid in full as we will now have to get our tickets at airport on day of departure as long as we can prove we've paid! One adviser said the reason we have never received tickets or receipts was... (read more)
Written on: 09/06/2008 by matjim (1 review written)
Booked holiday July last year for Salou, and have just received tickets with 22 days until departure stating the flight time has been moved 9 hours earlier to 06.30 am.
Phoned to complain, but was put on hold for twenty minutes before I could speak to someone.
Was told that I should have received a letter or email informing me of the flight change. When I told them I had received no information about this the guy basically said there was nothing I could do, even though I did not get this...
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Written on: 22/05/2008 by GKT1810 (1 review written)
I booked a holiday but then needed to change it. The changes I needed to make were unavailable, so I cancelled the holiday and re booked with direct holidays for an alternative resort, I was willing to lose my deposit and I had given them plenty of notice. 2 weeks after sending a signed letter of cancellation, I received a phone call saying that I have to pay more money if I wanted to cancel the holiday as I paid a low deposit. Also if I did not pay it within a certain amount of time then... (read more)
Written on: 16/06/2010
I found this review very helpful because...I to am going through the same thing and all I can say is the customer service side is an absolute disgrace, the people on the phone are extremly unhelpful (when you can get through on the telephone) and have no idea how to speak to people. All in all this firm has gone down the pan since it got bigger.
Written on: 09/04/2008 by bonnera
Ok, I booked a holiday back in October 07 for myself, husband and 2 children to go to Florida 3rd May 08 from Newcastle. After deciding to take a friend of my daughters we rang to book her as an extra passenger, which was costing and extra £788. We were informed after doing so, they had a technical problem and the deposit for her will not be debited till the following day and reassured she was booked so we were able to tell her we were taking her on a holiday of a life time, guess what?... (read more)
Written on: 12/03/2008
Where do I start? This year it has gone horribly wrong since Thomas Cook took over. The holiday was booked in September 07 for Stalis in Crete, with day flights because I have disabilities which would make it hard to fly at night. They changed the flight times to night flights and didn't bother to tell us. We have received an invoice stating these new flights. My boyfriend contacted Direct Holidays many times over a period of around 6 weeks and was told that it was 'tough' and, even... (read more)
Written on: 25/02/2008 by melaniecoombs (1 review written)
Booked a holiday for myself, husband and 2 kids to go to Cyprus, half term week for my brothers wedding. Due to leave 25th may 2008 from Bristol now they have changed flight too 28th may 2008, but they haven't informed me by letter or phone about the change of flight , I just happened to see it on my invoice, which now means have to take my teenage daughter out of school for 4 days, my brother booked his wedding this week because it was half term, so none of the kids going would miss any... (read more)
Written on: 14/02/2008 by fieldsl
I am booked on a holiday to Rhodes on May 28th and was supposed to get a new invoice when the take over happened. I rang up to chase only to be told my holiday is now May 31st - and both flight times have been changed by 11 hours into night flights. I have two young children so it's a no no. We are supposed to be meeting 6 people from Manchester there - but I cannot get to talk to anyone from the operations team, even to be able to cancel my holiday - its terrible - they still have £450 - I... (read more)
Written on: 09/01/2008 by lorraine1919 (2 reviews written)
I booked with Direct Holidays for the first time as they seemed to be the only company that could provide the hotel I was after. All went well until yesterday when I found out that the beach has totally disappeared through erosion (not their fault) so I wanted to contact them to find out if I can change my holiday. I rang first thing this morning and after 15 mins I got through only to be given another number. I have rang this number all day only to be told by a recorded message that I am... (read more)
Written on: 13/08/2007 by Jack Hair (1 review written)
I have used Direct Holidays many times, and in general they have been value for money. Noticed a change this year,(been away twice with them) but I will be very dubious whether we use them again. Standards seem to be slipping. Maybe due to takeover. Who knows. I also use Airtours a lot but I would liken them to Direct Holidays and say not as good as they used to be. (read more)
Written on: 27/07/2007 by noelbrown (2 reviews written)
I have used the internet to book our last 3 or 4 holidays but this was the first with Direct Holidays. Despite reading a few reviews about poor customer service etc. we went ahead and booked a last minute deal, 2 weeks before departure, for a week in Majorca in July. The transaction was easy, the confirmation and tickets were emailed to me exactly on the schedule they promised. When I had to make a booking amendment it only took one call to their helpline, which was quickly answered and... (read more)
Written on: 15/06/2007 by stanleydgs (1 review written)
See above, self explanatory.
I agree with comments in other reviews, Direct Holidays will bend over backwards to sell you a holiday and additional services but be very aware of the negative payback regarding customer service once they have taken your money.
The queue of unhappy customers at the My Travel desk in East Midlands airport was long compared to no queue at the First Choice or other main holiday companies. This tells it's own story.
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Written on: 30/07/2006 by marial
I have used Direct Holidays numerous times in the past, mainly as they were cheap (but not any more). I booked a family holiday to Turkey in January 2006, but 1 week before we were due to fly out my son broke his arm. I called Direct Holidays straight away to see if there were any restrictions with an arm cast, and I was told by a very unsympathetic advisor that there were. I had 2 options, which were the cast to be split or a lightweight cast. When we went back to the hospital I was told... (read more)
Written on: 14/07/2006 by Lenny163 (1 review written)
We had booked the Oasis Tamarindo but were sent to the Oasis Village which is not advertised on any of their websites or brochures!!!!!!!! If your hotel is overbooked the least that your travel company could do is put you into one of their own hotels! All that Direct Holidays care about is getting your money. We are currently pursuing our case with the company further. Please note that Direct Holidays are still selling holidays to the Oasis Tamarindo on their website when they apparently... (read more)
Written on: 30/06/2006 by mm127724 (1 review written)
I am travelling again with Direct Holidays for the first time in eight years. Despite vowing never to use them again, I was persuaded by others in the group that everything would be OK. What Direct Holidays do is put flight times in their brochures to attract custom and then change the flight times when the tickets are issued. This year I was due to fly out from Glasgow at 07.30 on MYT192, but when I got the tickets it had been pulled forward to a Futura flight at 05.00. They are allowed to... (read more)
Written on: 26/06/2006 by jb32 (1 review written)
We booked a weeks holiday in Santa Ponca, Majorca with Direct Holidays. We booked a particular hotel (paid full brochure price) as was recommended, as it was baby friendly. We did not receive the holiday booked. The hotel was overbooked, and we were not informed until we arrived at the resort. The reps attitude was these things happen, what do you want me to do about it! We had booked a suite in the hotel with self catering facilities (as we have a young baby and need to sterilise bottles... (read more)
Written on: 12/06/2006 by danny ds (1 review written)
Direct Holidays have very bad communication skills, by all staff and reps. None of the reps appeared to have been given customer service training. I am a very unhappy customer. (read more)
Written on: 09/06/2006 by bella35 (2 reviews written)
After reading several bad reviews about Direct Holidays, I was apprehensive about travelling with them. However, everything went according to plan. I flew to Corfu on the 29th of May, 2006. There were no flight delays, and the staff were courteous and pleasant. The apartments were lovely and well located. Our rep was extremely friendly and helpful. (read more)
Written on: 17/03/2006 by Mrs Cane (1 review written)
I travelled to Jamaica around easter and to Tunisia in August both good value for money, efficient service, resorts better than I expected. Definitely recommend Direct Holidays. (read more)
Written on: 28/01/2006 by skibunny (1 review written)
Well where, do I start? I booked a ski holiday to Austria with Direck Ski or Direct Ski which is part of Direct Holidays. My recommendations: Avoid at ANY cost - even if it does cost an extra 100 pounds or so to travel by another operator. The operator's behaviour is arrogant, its customer service laughable and utterly non-responsive (with a litany of unanswered phonecalls, emails and letters) and the standard of the reps poor - The cuteness of our rep could not make up for not being able... (read more)
Written on: 06/10/2005 by Iain Christie (1 review written)
I was amused by the instruction regarding abusive language because as a gentleman I could not express my feeligs verbally, my wife being a lady couldn`t type it but those who work for Direct Holidays being neither will know exactly I think. (read more)
Written on: 05/08/2005 by The Daddy (70 reviews written)
I have booked through Direct Holidays before and we got a good service. Very much a Cheap as Chips holiday company but super value for money. You will definitely save a few Euros by going through these guys. All in all, I couldn't fault them - but anyone expecting a premium service would be disappointed. If you have to travel on a budget then Direct Holidays are well worth a look. (read more)
Written on: 04/08/2005 by anaconda (1 review written)
Direct Holidays - Customer service: there is none. We booked and paid for extras to be provided by Direct Holidays, they took our money but didn't deliver. The on site rep was always unavailable, we saw her once all the time we were there. We gave her our booking details and she said she'd sort it. The next we saw of her was on the transfer home. Once back home, all our phonecalls, E-mails and letters have been unanswered. They are very quick to take your money, promising anything you ask... (read more)
Written on: 22/09/2004 by DHENRY (1 review written)
We were delayed by 80 hours due to hurricanes in Florida. We were due to fly to Florida on the Saturday and when we heard the news regarding the hurricanes; we knew our flight would be affected. We attempted all day to contact Direct Holidays (as they had not contacted us) on the Friday to query about our holiday and we were told we would be called back shortly. We were advised at 6-30pm on the Friday evening that we would not be flying to Florida the following day at 12-35! When... (read more)
Written on: 12/08/2004 by stephen smith
Received tickets 17 days before departure and fortunately checked the flight times on the tickets. Direct holidays had changed the time of departure from East Midlands to Palma from 15.30 to 21.00! The return flight had changed from 21.20 to 01.25 the next day. I had already booked transport to the airport and quite frankly was upset by the horrendous flight times. I called customer services with my objections but was met with negative responses. The girl said the flight had been cancelled... (read more)
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Guest's Comment
Written on: 23/07/2011
call 0871 8950043, i have called this before when i had a problem with a payment and this was found very quickly