BYOJet ripoff

[Baysider]

I have used BYOjet a few times with no hassles. They do frequently come up with the best prices.

 

[ozmille]

Wow. I just did a Google search on the company and this came up - BYOjet Reviews - ProductReview.com.au - the majority of reviewers have given them 1 star and there are so many similar complaints. How are they still in business?

thing I've found with online reviews is that only people who had bad experiences tend to write them.

In this case I think it is very strange that BYOjet do not seem to want to look into the booking history and traces.

 

[roomer]

Interesting! I used BYOjet for an overseas trip to and within USA and in reading the fine print noticed the lesser amounts re baggage limits for internal USA flights compared to the international one. Having several stops within USA for our family meant that our international baggage allowance was going to incur a sizeable charge. I queried this with BYOjet and was told because it was on the same booking ( different airlines though ) we would not be charged additional baggage on the internal flights . As a precaution I asked for this to be confirmed in an email which they happily did. All went well except for one flight where despite showing that airline the email, we were told excess baggage fees would apply.
Upon return to Oz, I simply spoke with BYOjet and showed them their email, together with my baggage fee receipts and they reimbursed me without argument. I think had I not had that email it would have been a different story...

Morals of the story, 1)always get written proof when someone tells you something that can't be readily verified on their website ( and even if it is verified, then take a screenshot because they can change it in a flash)
2) book with Qantas direct for a trip to USA and places within; not only does the baggage allowance carry through to all flights it's also not your lookout if a flight gets delayed and you can't make the connecting flight

 

[wassee]

Had the same with Tripsta also via Skyscanner.Issued ticket was not what I booked. I frequently take Emirates metal with Qantas flight number Auckland to Sydney. I booked this as per usual but got Emirates flight number. Tripsta declined to admit liability.Charged $236 to change after initially saying cost would be 600 euros. Turns out they are in Greece.If you want to call them it's a 1900 number which is 99c a minute and when I did call was pit on indefinite hold.Emails took a week to be replied to.Skyscanner were helpful but they really need to check the integrity of the ticket issuing process with Tripsta.

 

[Alison Cook]

I just thought I'd share a negative experience I had with BYOjet - I booked a flight to Sydney for Friday afternoon. I was supposed to drive up with the Mrs and the kids Thursday night, but I've got some work I need to do from Canberra on the Friday.
I checked it carefully, to make sure the flight fit with work and with getting to Sydney in time for dinner, and then booked it. I might add that the price of the ticket was around $150. Next day I received an Itinerary for JULY - obviously some sort of error right? I contacted them about it, and they say I need to pay them $180 to change the flight. I explained it was their error, and they are persisting that this is a non refundable flight.


Avoid BYOjet if you don't want to be screwed around.

I've since booked another flight direct with QANTAS and as usual the process was quick and painless. That will teach me to try and save a few $$$ by going another avenue.

M

I take a screenshot whenever I book anything on line. Even BYOjet can't dispute that kind of evidence.

 

[djd]

Had one positive experience with BYO. Nevertheless, having checked prices with Skyscanner, I prefer to book directly with the airline. I was glad I had done so when Cathay and Etihad bookings to Europe had to be changed urgently owing to a death in the family. Two simple phone calls to the two airlines fixed everything.

 

[subichow]

I've only booked with BYOjet once, it wasn't the smoothest process. The first set of airline booking references that came through were incorrect and weren't recognised by the airline. Then about an hour or so later I received a second email (same format as the initial email) but with new airline booking references which did work. My name was also some how entered incorrectly with the 'Mr' prefix added to the end of my first name.. Totally worth saving the $20 though.

 

[por930]

BYOjet was fine the single time I have used them. I tend to use wholesalers such as this for JAL fares, because their own website just doesn't work.

I often use the JAL site for bookings with no issues. Recently did a SYD-NRT-YVR return for 2 of us in J (as much cheaper than QF or AA)

I must say though, these cheap booking engines worry me, as often strange results when compared with airline actually providing the metal. I am happy to pay a slight increase in costs to use the actual metal carrier as you are not dealing with a third/fourth party when things are not going right.

I always take screen dumps of pages when I use sites for all purchases on the net, including JAL, QF etc. AND have had my credit card charged back when I can prove(with screen dumps) that the fault was the vendors, and they refused to refund or provide a change at no cost to me.

 

[ferntree]

Sorry to hear your story, but can't say I'm surprised. I've been stung by this outfit in the past. Take a look at this:
BYOjet Reviews - ProductReview.com.au

 

[albatross710]

For the best part of two years I've been researching flights via Skyscanner, then booking via a better known website. The last year BestJet started appearing and I had two good bookings with them

Recently noticed the the Skyscanner Hotels are performing a better search so I've done a few low risk bookings ie in cities where I'm comfortable if I have to sort out a last minute hotel. Last two weeks notice an outfit called Hotelopeda offering some good deals, 60% of the comparable booking.com sites. Even had a 21 day refund option. I had the unexpected requirement to cancel one of the bookings. For the $100 per night saving on my itinerary I was happy to a) explain it three times b) lose the VOIP internal connection and c) wait 5-20 days for the refund.

Needed to buy an iPhone last week. Located an outfit in Melbourne, best prices but the reviews were terribad.

In summary, for me, I'm prepared to use the lesser known sites provided:

- The saving justifies the pain
- weighing up risk of required changes
- being prepared to put it down to experience.



For the OP, I was considering it could have been a AUD-USA date format issue ie we book 7/4/2016 and somewhere in their date conversion they book it for 4th July. CLoser inspection showed he was travelling 22/4 so this one may not be a factor here.

Alby

 

[MikeG]

As closure to this thread, my card provider (Amex) charged back the booking and BYOjet refunded it. Sorted.

thanks to all those who responded and advised...

 

[Maestro]

It may well have been the old "American" date screw up 7-5-2016 = 7th May or is it 5th July??? I think dates should be in this format yyyy/mm/dd.
I had a similar issue with Agoda for a hotel booking in Darwin. Needless to say I did my dough as they were not interested.

 

[williamsf1]

I have used this company a number of times without issues .....Then again... all i did was book a flight from YYC to PVR and did not have to make changes or have to deal with the company . They were significantly cheaper than other options even direct to airline ( mistake fare???). I have a feeling that this was user error due to date format ( as mentioned above)rather than BYO jet . I have been almost caught out by this when using search tools like sky scanner overseas

 

[quick_dry]

The one time I tried booking through them they took the card details, processed payment and then sent me a delightful "we'll let you know once it is confirmed" email, and when I rang they said the office is closed so no booking will be processed till 9am the next morning and they couldn't/wouldn't cancel the booking now - great, now I'm on the hook for a possible ticket and can't really jump on a slightly more expensive but actual fare. (Eventually got an email the next day saying the fare couldn't be confirmed, thanks byojet)

thumbs down for BYOJet from me

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I've never booked with them but I have used them for a successful QF price match, got the difference refunded and 1000 points to boot. You do have to wait until the flight to get the rebate but hey, it's a saving, and you don't have to deal with these questionable online travel agents.