Garuda booking a mess

[Dalescott]

The wife booked a Garuda Indonesia flight, MEL to LGW via Jakarta in J for early June via the Garuda website. The booking had a layover of 2hrs(roughly) in Jakarta. As I regularly check these thing on the Garuda website. I was shocked to see the booking was now MEL to Dempasar (2hrs Layover) to Jakarta (8 hrs layover) to Gatwick. The return was Gatwick to Jakarta (16hr layover) to MEL.
I spoke to Garuda Melbourne office, and he was aware of this. But had no answers, only to wait and see as he THINKS this will change.

1. Is this normal, as I have never had this done to me.
2. Is anybody else in the same situation as to Garuda.
3. Can I get a refund back without penalty.

I wait to hear from the experienced people

 

[pootle]

Unfortunately Garuda are well known for cancelling flights and making 3 services into 2, 2 into 1 etc etc which sounds like that is what has happened here. Usually, if the timings have changed etc they give you an opportunity to accept the changes or move to another day. I would speak to them again.

 

[MelUser]

Yes I have heard of this happening. The layovers are frightful and the domestic flight won't be much fun either.

At least in J so have lounge access etc.

 

[ftm]

You will generally be able to change, without charge to an alternative, assuming one is available. Or get a refund, with the penalty waived.

If you post/PM the original and new flight details I'll see if there is something better...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The wife booked a Garuda Indonesia flight, MEL to LGW via Jakarta in J for early June via the Garuda website. The booking had a layover of 2hrs(roughly) in Jakarta. As I regularly check these thing on the Garuda website. I was shocked to see the booking was now MEL to Dempasar (2hrs Layover) to Jakarta (8 hrs layover) to Gatwick. The return was Gatwick to Jakarta (16hr layover) to MEL.
I spoke to Garuda Melbourne office, and he was aware of this. But had no answers, only to wait and see as he THINKS this will change.

1. Is this normal, as I have never had this done to me.
2. Is anybody else in the same situation as to Garuda.
3. Can I get a refund back without penalty.

I wait to hear from the experienced people

i don't know for sure but looking at airlineroute.net there have been a couple of major changes by GA to both their 777 service to LGW (it seems to be postponed or something with services not commencing on 29 May as originally planned) and their services ex Australia (retimed)

here are the two links... they seemed overly complicated to me but might explain what is happening to your current bookings... (or might not! :shock

Garuda Indonesia Re-opens London Gatwick Reservation from Sep 2014 | Airline Route

Garuda Indonesia Japan / Australia Schedule Changes from June 2014 | Airline Route

 

[Dalescott]

We have now asked for a full refund and have been informed that this is now coming. Garuda are no longer going to fly to LGW or LHR, they will be flying to Amsterdam and tagging out of there. This was offered to us, but all flights were thru Dempersar Bali, and with long layovers (up to 9 hrs). This has been a comedy of errors from Garuda, and it was made worse by a total lack of communication. Emails were not answered, phone calls to Garuda were a case of I knew more than they knew or were willing to say.
A valvable lesson has been learnt from this
1. You get what you pay for.
2. Airlines should make sure they have landing right, and all connections are firm.
3. Some travel Journo's are too quick to promote, before the facts come out.

We have booked on (our Daughter paid) CX in PE. So it should be very interesting, as we have been travelling in J for the last 5 years.

PS What do you think our chances of an upgrade is (I live in hope)?????

 

[melissal_l]

We have now asked for a full refund and have been informed that this is now coming. Garuda are no longer going to fly to LGW or LHR, they will be flying to Amsterdam and tagging out of there. This was offered to us, but all flights were thru Dempersar Bali, and with long layovers (up to 9 hrs). This has been a comedy of errors from Garuda, and it was made worse by a total lack of communication. Emails were not answered, phone calls to Garuda were a case of I knew more than they knew or were willing to say.
A valvable lesson has been learnt from this
1. You get what you pay for.
2. Airlines should make sure they have landing right, and all connections are firm.
3. Some travel Journo's are too quick to promote, before the facts come out.

We have booked on (our Daughter paid) CX in PE. So it should be very interesting, as we have been travelling in J for the last 5 years.

PS What do you think our chances of an upgrade is (I live in hope)?????

Hi - I'm in the same boat (so to speak). Booked and paid for a flight from Sydney to LGW in July. Found out after booking about all the issues Garuda were having with being able to get the route operating, and discovered last night when I checked my booking that they have just dumped me onto a flight to Amsterdam, with a 37 hour layover in Jakarta. And no flight to London at all.

Can I ask who you contacted to get a refund? I've tried the Garuda number in Jakarta (listed on their website), and it says the number is not connected. I've sent an email via their website. I guess my only option now is to go into their Sydney office on Monday and hope they will give me money back. I have onward flights from London that I am now going to lose as well through this debacle.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi - I'm in the same boat (so to speak). Booked and paid for a flight from Sydney to LGW in July. Found out after booking about all the issues Garuda were having with being able to get the route operating, and discovered last night when I checked my booking that they have just dumped me onto a flight to Amsterdam, with a 37 hour layover in Jakarta. And no flight to London at all.

Can I ask who you contacted to get a refund? I've tried the Garuda number in Jakarta (listed on their website), and it says the number is not connected. I've sent an email via their website. I guess my only option now is to go into their Sydney office on Monday and hope they will give me money back. I have onward flights from London that I am now going to lose as well through this debacle.

i would certainly call the garuda office in sydney and see what they can do for you. they may be willing to put you on another airline for example. otherwise your travel insurance will cover you.

 

[Dalescott]

Ring the Sydney office, they are getting a mountain of calls about this. They will give you the email address for a refund. This has been a total mess for Garuda, and they know it. I sent an email to UunSetiawan Vice President for South Pacific, and have got no reply.

 

[melissal_l]

Hi again - thanks Dalescott & MEL_traveller: contacted the Sydney office this morning and they gave me the details. Apparently refund will take about 2 weeks