Q: A few weeks ago we booked a holiday with a local travel agency and paid a deposit. This deposit confirmed our booking for two triple rooms and a single room. When we went to settle the rest of the payment, the agency informed us that the triple room rate was no longer available and that we would have to pay the price for a double room.

Are we entitled to insist that we pay the triple room rate as originally agreed?

A: As per the Package Travel Regulations, the price agreed when the holiday was booked and confirmed cannot be changed by the travel agency. These regulations clearly stipulate that a tour operator can only charge more than the price agreed if all of the following conditions are met:

• it is more than 20 days before departure date;

the booking conditions mention that there might be an increase in cost;

• the increase is due to an increase in transport costs, fees or taxes, or a change in the exchange rate.

Since your situation does not seem to meet any of the above criteria, then if your booking clearly indicates the agreed room rate, the agency cannot change the agreed price. You should inform the agency about this and if they insist you should pay the new rate, then you may lodge a complaint with the Office for Consumer Afairs.

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