They have my money I have no holiday! Rude unhelpful staff obviously working on commission!!!!

Booking a holiday is supposed to be an exciting experience. When I got the above error message (which stated therewas a problem with my booking and to call) yet the 350 had been taken from my account, and called the number carol in your Dumfries branch told me that I should call another 0871 number. She said this happens all the time. When I advised her this was not helpful or particularly positive about your brand she told me I should have gone into store and that you operate independently from one another. When I asked if she could help me she flatly said no.

I called the number she gave me and waited on hold for 10 minutes. I grew so angry that I called the original number back where carol told me that her company and the online company work independently to one another ?! What this even means I have no idea. Finally she put me on to her manager Keith wallis who eventually said he would help me resolve the issues - he was nice and helpful but I think that is because I said I was writing in and it would sound better if he had helped me!!!. A nice girl called Jenna in your technical team told me the money had been sent back to the bank. Well it's not there and my bank tell me you need to send it back or do something with the merchant or something. I don't understand but maybe you will and then you can give me my money back, I am absolutely disgusted and appalled at how you have treated me. And the phone bills are coming your way too. I work in customer service in a call centre - if I can't help someone directly I find someone that can... I'm going viral with this one... Have a nice day!

I sent the above email to first choice and I am still waiting for something to be done. They have my money and I have no holiday. Nice one. DON'T TRUST THESE GUYS OR THOMPSON FOR THAT MATTER THEY ARE THE SAME!!!!!

Rubbish company without customer service. Price went up £200 as we were about to pay!

Just booked a holiday for the whole family by calling Longwell Green office. Got a quote but when it was time to make the payment (after having spent nearly 2 hours on the phone) the price went up £200 pounds. We told them about the mistake and tried to get the price down to what was agreed but they blamed it on a system error and said that there might have been some confusion on our part! We had written all the amounts down as we discussed the different room types and so on and we were NOT confused about the price. We've discussed this issue with several managers but no one wants to take responsibility and all they do is blame us for even asking for the quoted price. What should have been a lovely family holiday to look forward to, has now become one big disappointment and something we avoid talking about because it creates a bad atmosphere round the dinner table!

Extra Leg Room problems

I booked this holiday on line and after reading reviews on Trip Advisor made the decision that we might benefit from Extra Leg room. I purchased these for myself and my husband on line without a problem. However when it came time to select our seats I kept getting a message saying there was a problem with the First Choice Server and to telephone to book seats. I did this and spoke to a very nice customer service agent who apologised for the server problem and assured me that he had booked our extra leg room seats. 32 A and B.
Later in the month I logged in to manage my account just to check flight details for car parking and I noticed an £85 admin fee and the extra leg room booking had gone. Feeling concerned I called the customer service number and was told that our extra leg room seats had been cancelled and an admin fee for the change in booking had been applied ???
As you can imagined I complained bitterly about this and I did manage to get the admin fee refunded but not the extra leg room as these had been resold to A.N. Other. The agent even went so far as to suggest that I had cancelled the extra leg room seat's myself, then to add insult to injury she reserved my husband and I seat's directly behind our original extra leg room seats in row 33A and B..Errr right, great that's really going to go down well.not !! I understand from a close friend that works for this holiday company that my experience on this occasion is far from unusual and that the extra leg room sold frequently exceed the actual number available. Mercifully on this occasion I wasn't out of pocket but buyers beware, make sure you check your holiday invoice lest this practice ends up costing you money.

Cant be better alround good

we have used firstchoice for family holidays for years now and found the staff to be helpful i our time we have had problems and they were sorted out i would recomend to anyone with a family thinking about booking a holiday

your product is very good

by this product my kitchen is looking super

god forbid you ever hav e to resolve even a minimal problem with this company

used FC once 10 years ago. changed my accomodation 4w before traveling to unacceptable hotel but tough you have to accept it. Swore never to use again, however wanting to go to Pelagos Bay kefalonia and only FC booked this hotel. declined extra luggage allowance to receive invoice to find i had been charged £45 phoned customer serves who happily agreed to refund but weeks later no refund to be told by another employee we do not refund !!! No requests eg high floor bothered to be put on request to hotel. Swore never to use again.
My son asked me to help him book hotel with FC AI. did warn him of idiots on other end of phone line. We attempted to book on line but would not let us continue and prompted us to ring abooking number. The FC advisor told us the error was because the holiday could not possible be booked at the price on FC website that was what was causing the error so He paid the price £150 more via her. We later went on website and low and behold were able to proceed at lower internet price.(we didnt as we had already booked via phone number web site advised us to call. Rang the customer booking line number to be told tough cannot do anything about it now. Made 8 phone calls since todifferent FC lines including 2 redirected to India express unhappyness, but no use as nobody wants to know. They are well trained to sell holidays and take money but better trained at fobbing problems off !!! book at own risk!!!

Anja Nørgaard found this review useful

Perfect Family Service

All inclusive for my family have been so good we have continued to use Company time after time. Brilliant service always given.

Dhrubo Tara found this review useful

Excellent service!

Bit worried when i read some other reviews, anyway my worries were short-lived as i got what i ordered (full bathroom suite), on time, no bits missing, broken or otherwise. many thanks

Great site & good value for money

Spent lots of time searching out the ideal destination through First Choice - first time I've ever used this company and love the "My First Choice" account you get to use when you've booked a holiday. Easy to navigate round, secure payments and instant email confirmation. A big thumbs up all round :0)

Good holidays

Not the cheapest but you do get a good holiday

helpful staff

Went in with specific requests and staff helped me get the right holiday

Well displayed and advertised

Well advertised and displayed site with catchy offers ,adverts and loaded with colour.

Many successful bookings

Have used First Choice (one of the airlines that fly direct and cheaply to the UK from Lanzarote) many times and will use them again in future. Have nothing but praise for them.

The rating will depend on their answer!

I cannot imagine how First Choice is still rating Grande Flamenco X Caret as a 4/5 star in their brochures. The photos are the same as 5 years ago, but you do not get these rooms which used to be for everyone, they now stick you in the worst buildings hoping that when they come to the hard sell (time share) you will want to buy into the resort and stay in whats classed as members only rooms,which was standard before.
The First Choice Rep we met told us not to forget our free X Caret park tickets, if he had done his research he would know that you now have to pay for these and they are not included as they once were. First Choice also need to keep their information up todate, we will not be using their brochures to book any future holidays as they are far from honest with their rating system

a lot of money for nothing

awful flight now room at all. hotel was ok but no heating and it was very cold and the food was horrendous at the all inclusive RIU olivina lanzarote. ive had better holiday that cost £1000 less

Great holiday

I went away with first choice in the summer and was so impressed with every element of the holiday, totally seamless service. Look up Lopesan Baobab, book early for an absolute bargain and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed!!

Best and most comfortable flight and perfect accomodation

We had Premier seating on the plane and we went to Reus airport and stayed in Salou the hotel was fantastic and the food was marvellous and plentiful.
The hotel reception was open 24hrs and the First Choice reps were great and very helpful,we are both disabled and all our needs were catered for by this company.

Personal Service

Ann in Hemel store gives 110% customer service, to find you your holiday.

Reasonable accomodation in good areas of the UK

Some accomodation is better than other - it pays to request the facilities you require and seek agreement that they are present before you book.

With first choice

Best choice

good

i like this

Great

Have booked holidays great

sun sand and mohitos!!!

No sangria in Bulgaria lol. I have booked my holidays to Bulgaria with 1st choice for some years now. As a person with a disability i am shown courtesy and respect at all times (not true of other travel agents).My needs are always met, i.e. being able to travel with my mobility scooter, and getting a ground floor room. Never had cause to complain in 9years. Booking again shortly for 2012.

Loving First Choice

Always go to their website first, everytime. The site is very easy to look round with great places to stay. Been with them a couple of times now and no complaints. Also now they are All Inclusive only, its a bonus for my little one.....all that ice cream!!!!!

excellant website

fantastic web site and i love the way you can alter your holiday price by booking flight meals or removing them, extra baggage or less, transfer to airport or make your own way...it really is like finding your perfect holiday but then altering it to suit yourself and your budget...Well done first choice!

My first choice

I personally quite like this airline. Not the best leg room but they make you feel at home.

Great Holiday

Got a cheap last minute deal with these people. The rep was great, the hotel fab and the skiing great. Would go again, but doubt I will ever get that price again, £189 for the week!

Great holiday crap flight

I had a lovely time in paphos Cyprus but the flight could of been better,not comfortable at all 4 hours there 5 hours back my bum was well numb it was an an arse and elbow plane no space to stretch out and sit comfortable and I ended up sitting next to strangers instead of my sister and when ever someone went pass me down the aisle I had someones arse or elbow in my face,so yeah it could of been better.

Not MY First Choice

When we first started using First Choice we thought they were brilliant BUT when they leave your bag at Manchester Airport and you are away for the week - mmm! They refuesed to accept responsibility by saying that the airport carriers were to blame.... They kindly reunited me with my bag 10 hours before departing for home just in time for me to lug it onto the bus and the airport. After many complaints was given a voucher to use against future holidays with them.
I shall be avoiding First Choice; and their voucher - take a guess!

cheap and cheerful

I've used these guys a few times, usually last minute and to be fair, you always get clean accommodation which is appropriate for the price you pay.

The Best

I swear by TUI UK.

First choice

enjoyed all are holidays with first choice no problems at all. we cant afford a holiday this year but hope next year i can take a family holiday to lanzarote again as its so beautiful.

Certainly not my first choice!

I went to Tunisia for a week with first choice last year and I would NEVER use this company again! On the first day after a night flight we had been at the hotel from 3am and were point blank denied any bottled water (either to buy or included in our 5* all inclusive package) until 10am even though non-all inclusive patrons were able to purchase drinks! I ended up crying to the rep at 9am on our first morning but to no avail.
The rest of the week was ok although the trips were very overpriced the hotel and hotel staff were subsequently pleasant and accommodating. I wrote and complained about my disappointment and upset to the company but they could not be bothered to respond!

gatwick to orlando flights

delayed return, sat on plane at gate for over an hour and a half getting it fixed.

early breakfast on return was awful. flight over food was wonderful!!

overall was good value and a pleasant trip

Fantastic Lapland Experience

During this once in a lifetime Yuletide trip we could not have received better service. My children fell in love with our allocated Elf and we had a wonderful time on the planned exurcions. Very expensive but worth the money for the magic.

Mis Information on my resort

Was told that the weather would be nice and the resort would have lots of like minded young people, what we actually found was that it rained (actually thunderstormed) for 8 of the 11 days days and our resort was practically full to the brim with people of 65+. Will not use this company again for my holiday information.

In my opinion, fraudulent.

This is about Thomsons flights only, rather than First Choice (but it's the same company). If you buy a transfer they don't drop you off anywhere near your hotel. Pointless. They claim it says so on the website but I never saw it anywhere when I was booking (otherwise I'd have used one of the many local transfer services that do drop you off right outside your hotel). Their customer service people are unwilling to help - they just say rules are rules. Tried to take it to arbitration but ABTA said it would cost me more to claim than I'd be likely to get back. Bad, bad experience. Last resort for me in future but I'll never buy a transfer again or any other optional extra just so they get as little of my custom as suits me.

I always use First Choice

The best holiday provider in the World

Oh to be taken care of!

And that is exactly what firstchoice have done. The flight, the accomodation both to Spain and Cyprus on two holidays seperated by 4 years, were still first class in all aspects. The staff are particularly well trained and friendly, just what is needed to get you relaxed and off to a great start to your holiday. Most people only get one holiday per year so it's important, no it's critical that first contact is a pleasant experience. First choice are good at that and therefore evrything else that follows has that nice warm friendly glow about it

Could do better

Booking and tickets all done online. So why when I checked a few hours before leaving did the internet say the flight was on time when it had been delayed until the next day? We arrived at Gatwick to find the flight had been delayed as the aeroplane had developed a fault in the Caribbean. The staff there were good but the vouchers were for food at the airport not the hotel we were put up in and the hotel was at the South Terminal So we had to go over there to be told the vouchers were for the airport AND the South is being developed so no food there either. All the way back just to eat and return again to sleep. They must have known this flight was delayed and could have said so on the internet so we could have stayed at home. Holiday in Maldives was great once we got there but no rep on the island, not that we needed one but there is a Tuli (parent company) one there, so why not one for the Brits? One final thing, "upgraded" seats gets you a seat that any other airline would class as economy