Holiday Woes

[Peetee]

My wife is currently at Eurodisney with the children and her mom. If she doesn't set fire to the place I'll be suprised.
Her flights were delayed which meant she departed from Heathrow instead of Southampton (taxi was paid for) a day and a half late. Air France offered her a flight back to Southampton 24 hours after her return was due or an option to fly back to heathrow a few hours later. she opted for the Heathrow flight in order to claw back some of the lost time (the earlier flight would mean she had 2.5 days there not 3.5. Trouble is because she rejected the flight back to Southampton Air Fance won't pay for the taxi!!
I've had extensive conversations with the travel agent, ABTA, ATOL, CAA and Trading Standards and nobody can resolve this.
Presently all I want is for someone to assure me that a taxi will be waiting for them and get them back to Southampton - as per the original travel arrangement. Many other people would be screaming for compensation by now.
This is only half of the story as you need to know that, fortunately I have been at liberty to spend all day ringing around because I work part time. If my wife was having to resolve all this she would be losing even more of her 4 day holiday than she presently has done. The real thing that grates here though is that there clearly is a legal/practcal pitfall here and that all these authorities can allow a woman who is registered disabled with limited mobility and stamina with three kids and a forgetful, elderly mother to fall into this?

[PSL184]

Unfortunately the first mistake you made was choosing Air France and the second mistake was expecting them to put anything right (regardless of blame). I travel all over the world with my work and the only time I get extensively p****d about is when I have the misfortune to get anywhere near to Air France !!!!!

[bmcecosse]

I'll second that about Air France ! From personal experience travelling back and forth to France - Avoid avoid avoid!!
Pete - there is not much hope - they chose to go to Heathrow. Best you can do is go get them - or let the train take the strain.

[WPR678B]

When we travelled with Air France going out was fine but coming back the plane had a mechanical fault and was grounded. They were very good in providing everyone with food and drink and a flight back a few hours later but to Heathrow not Southampton but they then provided coach transfers back to Southampton and ensured staff were on hand waiting for when the coaches arrived (which was just after midnight!).
I thought they did very well in the circumstances on that occasion.
Just my 2p's worth!

[Peetee]

I can see your point about the agreement with Air France but while I'm not happy about the flight times offered her I agree that we are on a difficult one as she agreed to travel at that time.
However Air France were only ever a part of the travel arrangement to the resort. As far as I'm concerned my wife has a contract with Eurodisney to travel from Southampton and back over the space of four days. They are failing to honour that agreement by dumping her 60 miles away in Heathrow.

[rayofleamington]

Air France are angels in comparison to a few other airlines I can't mention!!

I would expect that good holiday insurance should cover the issue - however I don't expect Air France will concede the taxi fare as they offered the flight to Southampton. Their obligation is to offer a 'reasonable alternative'. Their reasonable and yours can be different

[bmcecosse]

I see your point PSL - only hope will be refund of taxi cost from Eurodisney after they get home - if you can't collect them. But don't hold your breath for it!