Viator Issue (and other options?)

[docjames]

Ok, please take this as question (at the end) and discussion (not rant). Old Viator threads aren’t open.


Having successfully booked via QF and Viator for (excellent) transfers in Cape Town a few years ago, I was looking for an “easy” option for a transfer from LHR T3 to London (N19). I ordinarily use the tube or chauffeur drive, but this time will be travelling with family in tow and a 0530 arrival so just looking for “easy” option.

Plugged all the details in, including drop off address. Confirmation received. $149 charged to CC.

Then email appears about 8 hours later from “Viator supplier” asking for an extra GPB20 due to the location not in “central London”. And to be paid directly to driver. The email was moderately aggressive so I was unclear if i was actually being scammed or not!

Your booking has been not confirmed, Because your hotel location is too far from the central London so there is 20 GBP supplement charge which you will need to pay to the driver directly. So Please confirm us back, Are you ready to pay or not?

Whilst accepting this may be because the contractor has ESL, I was still a bit shocked!

So i replied by email, asking if this was legit, and pointing out my N19 destination was 20mi from T3, the exact same distance as say T5 to “central London” (albeit T3 to central London is ~18-19mi although i did check and fare is same from T5).

Got a semi-canned reply basically repeating “not in central London, pay extra or cancel”. So I cancelled as I couldn’t help but feel i’d been “bait and switched” a bit, plus the cost was now becoming equivalent to just hailing a black cab at the rank at Heathrow!

To give Viator credit, all was handled rapidly, will see how long the refund takes to process on the credit card.



So now i’m back to looking for “easy” T3 —> N19 options so i’m guessing that means Uber (which perhaps I should have decided upon on the first place). Looks like it may be cheaper also.What are people’s experience of Uber from LHR to non-central locations? Any traps? Mrsdoc has an active account with decent rating. I have no account.

Also happy to look at other options. Obviously tube or Heathrow express cheaper but way longer with two smallish children at 0 dark thirty arrival ex-long haul, i’m Not sure we’ll be up for tube with luggage etc.

TIA.

 

[levelnine]

Try this: Compare Airport Transfers with Skyscanner

 

[docjames]

That’s fabulous, thanks! Hadn’t thought to try skyscanner!

 

[Gold60]

Last year i used Carrot Cars from LHR to Canary Wharf - 52 Pounds. Very good service.

Ok, please take this as question (at the end) and discussion (not rant). Old Viator threads aren’t open.


Having successfully booked via QF and Viator for (excellent) transfers in Cape Town a few years ago, I was looking for an “easy” option for a transfer from LHR T3 to London (N19). I ordinarily use the tube or chauffeur drive, but this time will be travelling with family in tow and a 0530 arrival so just looking for “easy” option.

Plugged all the details in, including drop off address. Confirmation received. $149 charged to CC.

Then email appears about 8 hours later from “Viator supplier” asking for an extra GPB20 due to the location not in “central London”. And to be paid directly to driver. The email was moderately aggressive so I was unclear if i was actually being scammed or not!



Whilst accepting this may be because the contractor has ESL, I was still a bit shocked!

So i replied by email, asking if this was legit, and pointing out my N19 destination was 20mi from T3, the exact same distance as say T5 to “central London” (albeit T3 to central London is ~18-19mi although i did check and fare is same from T5).

Got a semi-canned reply basically repeating “not in central London, pay extra or cancel”. So I cancelled as I couldn’t help but feel i’d been “bait and switched” a bit, plus the cost was now becoming equivalent to just hailing a black cab at the rank at Heathrow!

To give Viator credit, all was handled rapidly, will see how long the refund takes to process on the credit card.



So now i’m back to looking for “easy” T3 —> N19 options so i’m guessing that means Uber (which perhaps I should have decided upon on the first place). Looks like it may be cheaper also.What are people’s experience of Uber from LHR to non-central locations? Any traps? Mrsdoc has an active account with decent rating. I have no account.

Also happy to look at other options. Obviously tube or Heathrow express cheaper but way longer with two smallish children at 0 dark thirty arrival ex-long haul, i’m Not sure we’ll be up for tube with luggage etc.

TIA.