problem booking with Best flights

[jpk]

a few years ago i did some consulting with that dept, and yeah that response doesn't surprise me. they were pretty thin on talent and full of the typical civil servant type. i think if you really want to pursue this (which I personally would like to see you do, and sounds like you might need to if you want some piece of mind) that it will need to be through the courts.

 

[lombard18]

a few years ago i did some consulting with that dept, and yeah that response doesn't surprise me. they were pretty thin on talent and full of the typical civil servant type. i think if you really want to pursue this (which I personally would like to see you do, and sounds like you might need to if you want some piece of mind) that it will need to be through the courts.

thnx 4 your input......very frustrating!!!!!!

 

[medhead]

beautiful...now we get this reply back from WA Consumer protection saying that since best flights claim they were given wrong information from their wholesaler, they are still not liable as they 'acted in good faith'.

Actually best flights are putting responsibility onto the wholesaler. Isn't the simple answer to say that you accepted the T&C in good faith. Therefore, Best Flights need to honour those T&C, and resolve the issue with the wholesaler.

Wow! I never realised that acting in good faith is a bonafide defence.
I should mention this to all the suicide bombers in the world that since they are acting 'in good faith' then thats okay.

Sorry I gotta call you on this, faith in this case has nothing to do with relgious belief. The nicest thing I can say is that this logical leap is just plain wrong in every way.

 

[serfty]

If you wish to pursue this in a "small claims" manner, WA disbanded their SCC in 2005.

They now have a low value (<$7,500) category for this type of civil matter operating from the Magistrate's court.

I believe this is a site where some basic information can be obtained:

• Civil Matters

 

[lombard18]

If you wish to pursue this in a "small claims" manner, WA disbanded their SCC in 2005.

They now have a low value (<$7,500) category for this type of civil matter operating from the Magistrate's court.

I believe this is a site where some basic information can be obtained:

• Civil Matters

thx - yes, I've been told that to take it further, I have to take it to court

 

[N860CR]

You are correct though, its disgusting how poor our consumer protection laws are and it's not just WA, it's every state.

 

[AVM]

I have also had a problem with Best Flights, I always check ticket change and cancellation costs before I book, I have had to change a date before but never cancel, unfortunately insurance did not cover the cancellation.

The airline cancellation fee was $150, on Best Flights website (if your read terms) it says their cancellation fees will be a minimum of $169. (which is their deposit) I paid the fare up front - Round figures $1800 plus the 2% surcharge to use VISA. My 14 YO was to visit his dad overseas, his dad was made redundant and had to leave Dubai. We originally wanted to put the fare toward 2 new tickets with the same airline but to another destination. BF said this could not be done. Cancellation fees were $625, I asked for a breakup, 150 to airline 130 to "ticketing" and the balance to BF, it was an E ticket generated by BF. Finally after some backwards and fowards it was reduced to $392 breakup 150 airlines 30 ticket balance BF. I must say there were no cancellation fees listed on the E ticket.

I suggested BF that they advise their cancellation fees "up front" as does STA travel when it say $500+. Comment, we couldn't charge that as some of our fares dont come to $500. From what one could conclude if one pulls cancellation fees out of a hat it is hard to advise the client of what they will be. I do not mind BF keeping their margin but I had a brother in travel and the margin is not $490 on an $1800 ticket

Basically you and I have been ripped off. Don't give up, stay with it.
AVM

 

[Mal]

Has their name changed to "Best Frights"?

Sure seems that way based on feedback I've heard from quite a few sources.

BTW - Flight Centre is known to me as "Fright Centre", so dislike of travel agencies is nothing new to me!

 

[Danger]

Best Frights aren't the only one with T&C issues.

I booked a Singapore to Perth one way ticket with Qantas two weeks ago. At the review page (the page prior to payment) the following was printed:

Stopover

• 1 stopover permitted at S$100
  • One way fares:
    • 1 stopover permitted at S$100

There is, however, no option to chose a stopover for $100. Of course, those in the know know that a Qantas stopover between Singapore and Perth is all but non-existent, at least on a 'direct' routing.

So I phone QF and say 'Hey, I'd like to take advantage of this fabulous $100 stopover deal'. Of course, the agent had no idea how I'd book that so she goes away and speaks to a supervisor. When she returns she tells me 'Sorry, sir. This fare basis [or whatever terminology she used] is also applicable for a Singapore to Auckland fare, which allows a stopover in Australia. On your routing, a stopover is not possible'.

Not possible yet still stated in their 'terms and conditions'. Qantas manage to squeeze every other rule and regulation into their T&Cs; if a stopover isn't permitted on this route I see no reason why they shouldn't have a separate web page to reflect it.

Naturally, an email to the ACCC received the usual 'we're a bunch of toothless tigers who do nothing' response.

 

[vet]

Re Good Faith Defence:

Maybe they're really saying:

Terms are not unfair and not void unless the customer, due to Parliament's poor drafting, can prove we drafted these terms in bad faith to rip you off with fees that are a genuine pre estimate of our loss. See a great swag of argument in the Vic Supreme Court recently in Jetstar's case @ Free and Consumer Affairs Vic.

 

[serfty]

I have found I can often include said stopovers by using the multi booking tool!

 

[oz_mark]

So I phone QF and say 'Hey, I'd like to take advantage of this fabulous $100 stopover deal'. Of course, the agent had no idea how I'd book that so she goes away and speaks to a supervisor. When she returns she tells me 'Sorry, sir. This fare basis [or whatever terminology she used] is also applicable for a Singapore to Auckland fare, which allows a stopover in Australia. On your routing, a stopover is not possible'.

It may also have been applicable not so long ago when a stopever in DPS was an achieveable thing.

 

[Danger]

I have found I can often include said stopovers by using the multi booking tool!

Sorry. I should have been more detailed. Yes, first the operator did say it was a matter of using the multi-stop booking tool. So I tried Singapore to Sydney (stopover) to Perth. The Singapore to Sydney segment alone was more than $300 more than the cost of the Singapore to Perth sector. When I explained this I got the explanation about the Auckland fare basis.

I'm happy to be corrected but I don't see how it's possible (as the QF agent confirmed) to fly from Singapore to Perth with an Australian stopover in between for $100 more.

 

[Danger]

It may also have been applicable not so long ago when a stopever in DPS was an achieveable thing.

Fair point, oz_mark.

On a similar note, however, booking a one way Honolulu to Sydney fare with Qantas results in a similar message (something like 'maximum two stopover permitted at $150 each'). I also don't see how that's possible.

 

[Mal]

Fair point, oz_mark.

On a similar note, however, booking a one way Honolulu to Sydney fare with Qantas results in a similar message (something like 'maximum two stopover permitted at $150 each'). I also don't see how that's possible.

The fare rules need to be read in accordance with the routing rules. Qantas of course doesn't keep these on their site, but they are normally available. Many times there will be options in fares that just aren't available to book.

 

[lombard18]

I have also had a problem with Best Flights, I always check ticket change and cancellation costs before I book, I have had to change a date before but never cancel, unfortunately insurance did not cover the cancellation.

The airline cancellation fee was $150, on Best Flights website (if your read terms) it says their cancellation fees will be a minimum of $169. (which is their deposit) I paid the fare up front - Round figures $1800 plus the 2% surcharge to use VISA. My 14 YO was to visit his dad overseas, his dad was made redundant and had to leave Dubai. We originally wanted to put the fare toward 2 new tickets with the same airline but to another destination. BF said this could not be done. Cancellation fees were $625, I asked for a breakup, 150 to airline 130 to "ticketing" and the balance to BF, it was an E ticket generated by BF. Finally after some backwards and fowards it was reduced to $392 breakup 150 airlines 30 ticket balance BF. I must say there were no cancellation fees listed on the E ticket.

I suggested BF that they advise their cancellation fees "up front" as does STA travel when it say $500+. Comment, we couldn't charge that as some of our fares dont come to $500. From what one could conclude if one pulls cancellation fees out of a hat it is hard to advise the client of what they will be. I do not mind BF keeping their margin but I had a brother in travel and the margin is not $490 on an $1800 ticket

Basically you and I have been ripped off. Don't give up, stay with it.
AVM

you're right, we have to get the word out there that BF basically lie and cheat and steal from their clients, with no regard to ongoing business [idiots]....the more people we tell, the more likely that people will give these robbers a wide berth

 

[docjames]

. Of course, those in the know know that a Qantas stopover between Singapore and Perth is all but non-existent, at least on a 'direct' routing.

.

Routinely stopping in Exmouth now?

Sorry, couldnt help myself.

 

[Dave Noble]

you're right, we have to get the word out there that BF basically lie and cheat and steal from their clients, with no regard to ongoing business [idiots]....the more people we tell, the more likely that people will give these robbers a wide berth

If they refund in accordance with their terms which they detail at the time of booking, then they are neither lying, cheating nor stealing

You may not like their terms and if that is the case, then it is easy not to book them

Dave

 

[lombard18]

If they refund in accordance with their terms which they detail at the time of booking, then they are neither lying, cheating nor stealing

You may not like their terms and if that is the case, then it is easy not to book them

Dave

Dear Dave,
Please READ the previous numerous posts which have made it abundantly clear that wht Best flights have done is CHANGE the terms AFTER I booked and paid, and then refused to honour their original terms, only their 'updated' terms...which just happened to be a 100% penalty.
I went into it with my eyes open, and I would have been quite comfortable paying the original [very high] cancellation fee, but I maintain it is DISHONEST, LYING AND CHEATING for Best flights to fail to honour THEIR OWN terms and conditions.

 

[Dave Noble]

Dear Dave,
Please READ the previous numerous posts which have made it abundantly clear that wht Best flights have done is CHANGE the terms AFTER I booked and paid, and then refused to honour their original terms, only their 'updated' terms...which just happened to be a 100% penalty.
I went into it with my eyes open, and I would have been quite comfortable paying the original [very high] cancellation fee, but I maintain it is DISHONEST, LYING AND CHEATING for Best flights to fail to honour THEIR OWN terms and conditions.

In *your* specific case, there was an issue, I agree. That does not relate to most cases and you were referring to clients in the plural and I haven't come across others that have had the terms chanegd

Dave