First Choice Reviews

First Choice
★★☆☆☆
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Latest Reviews

“First class hotel at Enotel Lido Maderia,”

★★★★★

written by Freeman78 on 17/07/2018

The Hotel is perfect superior rooms very large two king size beds shower fridge T V everything you could need would recommend to even the most discerning traveller. The only let down was at Funchal Airport my wife had an open body search, because of a new colostomy bag in front of 200 people very embarrassing , Gatwick taken to private room for search

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“expensive seat booking charge”

★☆☆☆☆

written by DahliaMcGrath118 on 23/04/2018

I have just paid my holiday and now find that there is a cost of £40.00 to choose adjacent seats for my wife and myself! As everyone has to sit somewhere why is there a cost? I can understand paying for extra leg room but for an ordinary seat this is ludicrous. I have travelled before with First Choice but NEVER AGAIN! Is this now a widespread practice? AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!

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“Basic Room Given.”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Crowley307 on 17/10/2016

On 04/10/2016 we took our holiday at the hotel Los Jameos Playa Lanzarote for the 3rd year running. As we had been previous years we always upgrade the room, not that the basic rooms are unsuitable but we just like to treat ourselves to an extra bit of luxury. When we arrived at Los Jameos we were given the basic room, reception said there is no notification of an upgrade.The reception were very apologetic and made every effort to make us comfortable but,we did NOT get the room we paid for. So far I have NOT received any refund for the upgrade or any apology.This holiday was paid for out of my pension and I can ill afford to pay for things I do NOT receive. I want a 50% refund of the total cost of my holiday as Thompson/First Choice have broken their contract. Your question "What would you have liked to know before you made your purchase?" My answer will be in future WILL I GET WHAT I PAY FOR?

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“Awful awful awful ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Amaris15 on 19/09/2016

Awful company to deal with, breached data protection and no remorse. Will never use again

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“Terrible service - Honeymoon Ruined”

★☆☆☆☆

written by jennijean on 28/06/2016

Everything was terrible from the 2 hours flight delay, to grumpy flight staff, to stopping serving drinks for several hours throughout the flight. We got food poisoning at our hotel and couldn't get hold of rep despite asking for him several times, Then he laughed at me on our last day when i told him what happened. We had many, many more issues on this holiday from hell and I will never book a holiday with First Choice ever again.

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“First Choice should be called Last Resort”

★☆☆☆☆

written by StevefromBerkshire on 29/03/2016

The purpose of this review is to warn anyone that once you part with your money to First Choice/Thomson Holidays that is pretty much it. No matter what, they will not reimburse you whatever happens. I dont even put this down to one isolated case, but in fact three separate situations over a period of time. Firstly my sister-in-law had a very bad holiday experience a few years ago with First Choice. A combination of dirty room, bad food, poor service etc. The sort of thing that any respectable company concerned with customer satisfaction would as a matter of course, offer some degree of recompense. Absolutely no way though with First Choice. My next known experience was myself booking a family holiday at a brand new hotel in Cuba. This was with Thomson Holidays (both the same company really). Thankfully there are websites like this that alerted me to the fact that the hotel was nowhere near being finished and ready to occupy by the time we were due to depart. I went back to my local branch of Thomson to express my concern, as didn't want to be told last minute and then offered the dregs leftover and asked to be located to a similar priced hotel instead. The staff in the branch tried to be as helpful as can be, but the decision ultimately lies with their head office and as you can guess,they denied it wouldn't be ready and there was no movement on offer whatsoever. However, on this one occasion, I was armed with some facts that they couldn't defend and after spending 4 hours in Thomson travel agents using their phone to their head office, I did finally get my deposit refunded. I then booked a new hotel (that was finished) with Thomas Cook virtually next door to one we were originally destined for. It was as expected a complete building site and no way would be ready for occupation for several months. So my third experience is back with First Choice (booking online) and haven't even been on the holiday yet. But in a nutshell, First Choice have somehow taken the full cost of the holiday from the credit card, as only intended to pay the deposit, but thought 'whatever..at least the holiday is paid then' However that was before the price dropped to £300 per person less that I have coughed up. I know holiday prices fluctuate, but not to this extent. I knew we would get nowhere asking for a reduction in the price but suggested that an upgrade could be something to take the bitter taste away of knowing I we had waited a few more weeks to book, we could have paid over £600 less for the same holiday. You can guess the response. So lessons finally learned and my strong advice to anyone considering booking anything with Thomson/First Choice is quite simply DONT and certainly not early, as you will just be throwing your hard earned money away with their rip off prices and 'couldn't give a damn' attitude to their customers.

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“Rip Off”

★☆☆☆☆

written by jillypatch on 26/03/2016

To celebrate our 30th. Wedding anniversary me and my wife decided to treat ourselves, our 2 children and their partners to an all-inclusive holiday. We booked with First Choice to go Cyprus at a cost of £2962. This included an upgraded room cost £168 (Superior Twin Room with Sea View and Balcony) for me and my wife and 2 x Twin Rooms with Inland View and Balcony for my children and their partners. On Thursday 24/03/16 we decided to upgrade the two rooms for our children and phoned up for a price. It was going to cost £336. This was too much so decided against it. Being inquisitive I visited their website to see how much the holiday would cost now. I was shocked to see that the holiday now cost £2118.36 and this price also included 3 x Superior Twin rooms with Sea View and Balcony at no extra cost. How can you charge me £336 when I wanted to upgrade my children’s rooms and yet give these rooms away at no extra cost and I have paid £844 more? All I want is 2 x upgraded rooms for my 2 children and their partners. I don’t see why I should pay to upgrade when I have paid £844 more. I have emailed them several times but get fobbed off with so many excuses. I know prices of holidays fluctuate but not by £844. Instead of looking forward to celebrating our anniversary, I feel like we have been ripped off. Add to this £25 pp discount for April Departures which wasn’t available when I booked that’s a difference of £894. Add £336 for room upgrade that’s a difference of £1230 nice little fluctuation eh! And all I wanted was a upgrade for my kids.

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“Don't Pay for Extra Legroom!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by 218Carlson on 01/11/2015

My boyfriend and I booked an All Inclusive Holiday with First Choice to Cyprus back in August, leaving on 2nd September. We booked and paid for extra legroom as my boyfriend is 6'6". When we arrived at the check-in desk we were given new boarding passes as there would now be a smaller plane but we were told not to worry and that we would still have the extra legroom. This was a lie! On returning from our holiday I emailed my complaint and request for both a refund for the amount we paid, plus compensation for a really uncomfortable journey for my boyfriend and today we received a £30 cheque, with no apology and no compensation. I will never be booking a holiday with First Choice or Thomas Cook again. They have shown a total lack of customer care and customer service. And having to wait two months to be refunded £30 is very poor! Do not book any optional extras - you will be disappointed!!!

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“Poor hotel, terrible customer service.”

★☆☆☆☆

written by neilccampbell on 10/10/2015

Had a 1 week holiday with First Choice in August in Zakynthos. The room in the hotel was just terrible. Located above a karaoke bar with much until 1am. Complained to the rep who would only move us if we paid an upgrade fee of £95, but that we could complain and get it reimbursed. Complained and it took them 2 months to reply! With a simple thanks but no thanks. Just terrible customer service. Would never use them again. Massively over-priced and terrible experience. All the First Choice excursions were also nearly double the price you could buy them at any other place in the resort.

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“I feel Ripped Off”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Aishaz146 on 18/05/2015

Not had my holiday yet but I feel really angry at the moment. Booked my holiday in January as the website was showing 1 room left, I paid 3300.00 for my holiday, due to fly out on Tuesday (I know I shouldn't have done but checked the website and the holiday in now a 1000.00 cheaper, they should not have advertised it as one room left remaining, I have asked if they can upgrade me to the sister hotel which is still available but they have said they can't do that. I have spend a lot of money with first choice and Thompson over the years but this is just disgusting, I know holiday price go down depending on supply demand but I am more annoyed about the one room availability.

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“poor poor poor after care”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Alivia433 on 11/03/2015

Have used first choice for all our holidays. However the first time an issue arises I cannot believe how hard for one it is to contact a speaking person and secondly how unwilling they are even if you are willing to pay for a far more expensive holiday.

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“Avoid this company”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Monical263 on 23/02/2015

First Choice don't want to know and dont care if you enjoy your holiday when you do complain they offer you something and then don't follow through with it and break all promises.? All I can say is don't waste your money and don't book with First Choice. If you complain they do not respond in the required 28 days by ABTA code of conduct and if they do offer you and compensation it will be nothing compared to what you should be entitled to once they have taken your money its game over. I am not going to ABTA and small claims court as they have no customer service or care at all. all they care about is you money once they have it thats it.

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“First Choice Ruined 25th Wedding anniversary”

★★☆☆☆

written by Rylieu445 on 14/10/2014

Booked 5 star luxury all inclusive holiday at the Calista Luxury in Turkey. All our luggage was lost on the outward flight (along with that of around 40 other passengers). Rep at Antalya was clueless, our transfer coach left without us as apparently everyone had been accounted for! Gave us photocopied letter saying to contact them again if luggage didn't turn up within 5 days! Range First choice 24/7 helpline - no good. Spent next day buying some clothes and cosmetics. Luckily luggage arrived about 24 hours after we did. First Choice say their liability is limited to £20, will need to check this. We had per booked a trip to Istanbul before leaving UK. However the day before we were due to go we questioned whether it was still safe to do so as there had been violent protests and some demonstrators had been killed. Only then were we told that we were the only Brits on the tour and it would therefore be in German! We cancelled the trip and booked a 2 day trip to Cappadocia. We booked a packed lunch from the hotel, bought some warm clothing and arranged an early breakfast for our 5:50 am pick up. On returning to our room the night before the excursion, we found a fax cancelling the tour with no explanation! Rang the 24/7 helpline again, who were not aware of the cancellation. We will try and find the rep tomorrow, however she has not been Balt to attend as a number of reps have "done a bunk" and left First choice before the end of their contracts - wonder why? Sadly this has ruined what should have been a great wedding anniversary in a nice part of Turkey.

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“terrible customer service”

★☆☆☆☆

written by lhawkins53 on 25/08/2014

Booked a holiday to melia Dumas cape vVerde in Jan 2014 Requested a junior suite in the adult only section. Advised by email 1week prior to final payment that first choice had made a booking error and that they did not have rooms available in the adult only section. When I stated that I wanted my deposit back as I was told that it could not be returned even though the alternative accommodation they have offered is not in the adult only part of the holiday. Staff in their call centre are rude and unhelpful. I lost count of how many times I rang to discuss this only to be cut off. The poor level of customer service is shocking. I still in shock that they can get away with what I think is blatant miss selling. Sneaky devious and sharp practice summa that awful company up. First choice never ever again

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“Absolutely disgusted with their customer service!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by TaniaDawson on 14/08/2014

First of all I am utterly shocked and disappointed at the extreme lack of support, assistance and customer care you have for your valued customers. I booked a holiday with my partner to go to Coral Sea Waterworld in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. We were due to fly there on the 4th September 2014. Due to the major flu outbreak they have at this resort at the moment as well as various other issues, my partner and I felt it was too unsafe and no longer wish to go to this destination. (Link below to show what I have read) After seeing this we decided that it would be best to change our holiday to a different destination so we picked one for a similar price (happy to pay the additional £10 per person for the holiday price) on the exact same day and with the same airline. (Effectively down-grading our entire holiday!) Upon contacting FirstChoice on 05/08/2014, my partner (who was asked no security questions or details about the holiday) was told that there is nothing we can do and cancelling the holiday would incur a 70% loss on the entire cost, or alternatively we could pay the £100 (£50pp) to change to a new destination. We have now been told that we need to pay an additional £158 which includes the £100 booking changing fee and £38 for seat allocation to ensure that we sit together on the plane. This I find outrageous as we are clearly going on holiday together and want to sit together on the plane, how they can justify this charge is beyond me! I then called on the 6/08/2014 at around 8am and spoke to an overseas call centre after calling First choice myself to check this out, the person on the other end of the line not only hardly understood what I was asking, but was rude and unable to give clear answers to why I have been charged this fee. I then booked the seats again with him so that to our new destination we would be sitting together and specifically requested a window seat. He acknowledged this and booked me in charging me a further £38 to reserve our seats. I also asked to speak to a manager to discuss the options and why I had been charged £100 as I feel it is unjustified, I have given clear warning with enough time to change the flights quickly and easily. He told me that a manager was not available until 10:30am, I specifically requested a manager call back which your policy is within 24 hours, I waited until Saturday 9th before calling your team again after promised to be called by a manager which never happened. As stated above I called again on 09/08/2014 as I wanted to double check where I was sitting as we logged into my firstchoice to check our seating on the plane layout map and low and behold there was no seat reservation although it clearly stated on the right we have paid for this. I spoke to a wonderful lady from the UK this time that was quick to point out that although the seats had been paid for ensuring we sit together, we had not actually been given an allocated seat on the plane meaning my request for a window seat may have been impossible on the day. I asked to speak to a manager who I was put through to instantly, he however was just as unhelpful as the rest of your staff who said that the £100 fee would not be refunded as we had chosen to change our destination not FirstChoice, nor would the £38 be refunded for the seat allocation even though if I had not called up, I could have been sitting anywhere! Dealing with the customer service staff was like dealing with a brick wall, rude, unhelpful And frustrating and I have had to invest a huge amount of time calling up a premium rate line for absolutely no help what so ever. I never received any confirmation email after changing destinations, I again had to call up to request this be re-sent to me, despite you managing to take our deposit within 10 minutes of re-booking. I am extremely disappointed with the lack of service, customer support and over all attitude shown towards me whilst trying to book me and my partner a holiday. FirstChoice clearly do not care about their customers at all and are only interested in taking your money!

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“Booking online - never again”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Amberline on 03/08/2014

Decided on the holiday we wished to book and went through the procedure online. On completing all the info. required I then gave my card details and pressed the final tab. I then received the message that there was an error either with the website or my card, which I knew 100% was not the issue. I checked with my bank and was told that the money was showing and this was over £3000.00. I then spent the next 2/4 hours trying to speak to someone to find out how this would be dealt with and was told to phone another tel. no. not just once but several time and each time a different no. I was told on one call to speak to the Tech. Dept. and again it was the same multiple choice of options, none of which were Tech.Dept. I am thorough disgusted with the way I have been dealt and tomorrow intend to try to endeavor to speak someone in authority. First Choice have my money and I have no holiday and therefore have to wait until I guess they refund the amount when I can then try again to book. No doubt any holiday that I might consider will have increased in price. I am absolutely appalled at the way I have been pushed from pillar to post and at the end of it you still have my money. I would like a response asap from someone in authority.

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“What a difference!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by TyroneLeach1991 on 01/08/2014

I have been looking for next years holiday and have looked at a number of hotels in Sharm El Sheikh as we are a family of 8 we like to book early. We have found a hotel that we like and have decided that's where we would like to go. I have look on numerous websites, for the same hotel flying out on the same day and First Choice are over £3000.00 more. I have just called First Choice to ask what I get with them for £3000.00 more to be told we are First Choice she didn't really answer my question. So First Choice will NO longer be my First Choice!!

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“Inconsiderate and unhelpful”

★☆☆☆☆

written by CorrinaLauren on 28/07/2014

Me and my partner travelled with First Choice two years ago with only one problem, on the return flight we were told there were no seats together, with us both not being the best of travellers we were not best pleased, but were assured that two seats across the aisle were opposite each other. Not a problem, however the seats were not opposite, but quite staggered so I could not see my partner that well. This time around we made sure we paid the extra to secure seats next to each other, the only specification we really needed was an aisle seat as my partner is 6,2", suffers with a bad back and needs to occasionally stretch his legs. Despite paying £9.50 for one seat, one way, we discover that we are not allowed to reserve an aisle seat with the middle seat. Their terms and conditions now state that a single window seat cannot be left unreserved. £38.00 to reserve seats and we can't even pick our preferred seating. After calling the helpline she gave us some good news (with an attitude) and informed us that there were extra leg room seats available... only costing an extra £70.00 for a four hour flight, for one person. No thanks! Utterly disappointed and will not be holidaying with any TUI travel company again.

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“Shocking, false selling ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Mikecr7 on 07/07/2014

Money making firm along with cosmos, we booked an holiday with this firm, we asked for a ground floor apartment got 1 on the 5th floor with the kids and a disabled parent we was told it had balconys it didn't we was told it was a 3star it wasn't it was more like a hostel, there was a fixed table in the living room if that's what you want to call it with the settee pushed up against it we was on pins and had to keep the window locked incase my 3 year old daughter who may I add is very busy ,climbed on she would have no doubt in my mind fell from a massive height , we was told we had maids we never we had to pay to have the room cleaned 30 euros, 15 euros for towels, 2 euros each a day for sun beds around the pool, no toilet paper unless you payed for it, no sleep for a week teenagers running around the hotel drunk smokin canabis sittin on the roof above the main reception door drunk, water leaking on to my sons head at night threw the ceiling from the room up stairs, I know this sounds a little far fetched but every word is true, videos and pictures to prove it, £3000 for this I payed,complained to first choice they said its nothing to do with us contact cosmos so we did to be told put it in put it in writing we,ll get back to you, but like I said I'm pretty sure I was in the first choice shop when I payed so yes in my eyes I payed them so yes that's were the blame will lay, the apartments are called doramar in benalmadena stay clear or better sill just avoid first choice and cosmos holiday, I always book with co-operative travel and I am sorry I never this time but will not make the same mistake again so please don't use either first choice or cosmos holiday they are really not interested in you has a customer they are only interested in the money they can make like askin me for another 800 euros to change the hotel

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“Cancellation of holiday”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Emsywems on 18/06/2014

Due to a family bereavement I had to cancel our holiday, but re-booked to travel a week later. Explaining to the operator why I had to cancel, all I was told that I would loose the full amount, no sympathy given what so ever. After 11 days still no cancellation letter received to which I phoned the company again asking for this letter. Another 4 days after this phone call I rang the company again asking for this letter due to still not receiving anything. I am awaiting this letter 15 days after cancelling the holiday! The customer services is appauling and I'm disappointed that I have re-booked with the company again.

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