Significant Change Rejection Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to reject significant holiday changes and demand refund or alternative, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong significant change rejection letter should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• Reference the Package Travel Regulations 2018
• State that the changes constitute a significant alteration
• Request a full refund within 14 days or an alternative package of equivalent or higher quality
• State right to compensation in addition to refund where applicable

What counts as a "significant change" to your booking

Under package travel regulations, a significant change isn't just any minor adjustment — it typically means things like a substantial change to departure times, accommodation downgrade, or a change to the destination itself. Where a genuinely significant change occurs, you're entitled to either accept it, choose a suitable alternative, or reject it and receive a full refund.

What to include before you send it

• Your booking reference and details of the original arrangement
• The specific change the operator has proposed
• Why you consider this a significant change under the regulations
• Your decision — rejecting the change and requesting a full refund, or requesting a genuinely comparable alternative

What operators sometimes try to downplay as "minor"

Operators occasionally frame changes as minor when they genuinely affect your holiday significantly — a hotel downgrade, a change of resort, or a substantially altered flight time can all qualify as significant even if the operator initially presents them otherwise. It's worth assessing the actual impact rather than accepting the operator's own characterisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to decide whether to accept or reject a significant change?
Operators must give you a reasonable period to decide, and should make clear what your options and deadline are when notifying you of the change.

What if the operator refuses to acknowledge this as significant?
You can pursue this through their complaints process, ATOL claims if applicable, or ultimately through small claims court if it remains unresolved.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Tour Operator Customer Relations]
[Company Address]
[Company Postcode]
[Date]

Dear [Name / Customer Relations Team],

Subject: I reject the significant change to my holiday – Booking Reference: [Booking Reference]

I am replying to your notice dated [Date] of a significant change to my package holiday to [Destination], due to depart on [Departure Date].

You have told me that [describe the change, e.g. the flight times have changed by 14 hours / the hotel is now in a different resort].

Under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, I do not have to accept a significant change. I reject it and I am ending the contract without paying a termination fee.

Please refund the full £[Total] to my original payment method within 14 days.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]