Helloworld franchisee administration

[moa999]

A warning for those dealing with franchisees rather than company owned outlets.

Families lose $340k as another Helloworld travel franchisee goes bust

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, but the Berlowitzs are among 56 families left without a refund after another Helloworld Travel agency goes under.

www.abc.net.au

Quite some poor behaviour imho in not immediately passing on refunds and taking full payment without passing it onto the airlines.

 

[odysseus]

It's an indictment how bad the industry is when their association states "In a statement, AFTA said more regulation of travel agents was not necessary and its agents had been tireless in their efforts to secure refunds and credits for people who couldn't travel due to COVID-19." Lying instead of admitting all the problems they have, and that many people have been unfairly treated by travel agents in this pandemic.

 

[Spongbob]

The AFTA would say that, wouldn't they?

 

[kookaburra75]

A warning for those dealing with franchisees rather than company owned outlets.

Families lose $340k as another Helloworld travel franchisee goes bust

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, but the Berlowitzs are among 56 families left without a refund after another Helloworld Travel agency goes under.

www.abc.net.au

Quite some poor behaviour imho in not immediately passing on refunds and taking full payment without passing it onto the airlines.

I was quite surprised to read in the article, that travel agents don't have to hold monies in a trust fund, which had been done away with in in 2014. I know that you have to be careful about when picking travel insurance that it covers insolvency, but I assumed that was if the airline or cruise company went bust, not the travel agents.

It just shows you should pick a travel agent based on personnel recommendations rather than flashy ads on tv.

 

[Brissy1]

Should be a crime to use clients money (refund) for business expenses/directors fees/loans. Solicitors have to use a trust fund account to hold clients money.

Oops, kook above got in 1st

 

[odysseus]

The AFTA would say that, wouldn't they?

Depends whether they see themselves as a lobby group to only improve conditions for agents, or one that wants to improve the situation of the industry.

Good leadership looks at all their stakeholders, and works to resolve issues so the industry improves, even though it's difficult. Poor leadership ignores the interests of others as though they don't exist. Keep in mind AFTA state their aim is "AFTA's aim has been to stimulate, encourage and promote travel, and to uphold the interests of travel agents who form a vital part of Australia's highly specialised travel and tourism industry." Which means they are failing in this aim as such customer unfriendly actions both discourage travel, and also discourage the use of travel agents.

 

[Kingsfield]

It's an indictment how bad the industry is when their association states "In a statement, AFTA said more regulation of travel agents was not necessary and its agents had been tireless in their efforts to secure refunds and credits for people who couldn't travel due to COVID-19." Lying instead of admitting all the problems they have, and that many people have been unfairly treated by travel agents in this pandemic.

Having dealt with AFTA in the past as a travel industry professional, I can safely say its word is worthless. It's an irrelevant Boys' Club of self-interest in a post-deregulation world and should be ashamed of itself.

 

[BudgetFly]

I can't remember when I last used a travel agent, 20yrs maybe? Admittedly some people are time poor and may find them beneficial. I book direct with airlines and now mostly direct with hotels. Sometimes Qantas hotels, Agoda, airbnb etc. Airport transfers are easily found online if required.
I guess many AFF members have secretaries or executive assistants whatever title applies - Do they make all travel bookings and handle frequent flyer miles & promos? Do they use travel agents or book direct? Curious. Use travel agents at your peril I reckon!

 

[VPS]

I can't remember when I last used a travel agent, 20yrs maybe? Admittedly some people are time poor and may find them beneficial. I book direct with airlines and now mostly direct with hotels. Sometimes Qantas hotels, Agoda, airbnb etc. Airport transfers are easily found online if required.
I guess many AFF members have secretaries or executive assistants whatever title applies - Do they make all travel bookings and handle frequent flyer miles & promos? Do they use travel agents or book direct? Curious. Use travel agents at your peril I reckon!

There are a few travel agents on here that have been very useful to people. They can often get better deals and they are also very handy when something goes pear-shaped which has happened to me a couple of times

 

[drron]

We regularly use TAs.They can get deals you can't just get online.Even booking hotels when online they say they are full.
Booking our cruises through a TA gets us OBC which we can't get booking online directly with the cruise company.And at no extra cost.
And when things go pear shaped they can be invaluable.For example when AJ closed QF down we were in Sydney prior to our QF flight on Tuesday.Got back from dinner on Saturday night and saw the news about the shutdown.Went to email our TA only to find an email from her with the tickets on the BA flight out.
Plus we do find out about special deals.Our 2 TAs are very definitely worth the fees they make out of us.

 

[bam71]

Yes, It’s when things go totally pear shaped a good TA is invaluable.

 

[Mattg]

There are a few travel agents on here that have been very useful to people. They can often get better deals and they are also very handy when something goes pear-shaped which has happened to me a couple of times

Absolutely. I sometimes use one of the travel agents who is often recommended on here - he really knows his stuff, can be trusted and is invaluable.

But I chose my travel agent very, very carefully. There is no value to me whatsoever in booking travel at a random Helloworld or Flight Centre store at my local shopping centre.