Question on Booking

[Privatemaxim]

Hi,

New member here and am in sort of a bind. I booked a flight on Webjet (I know..poor choice after reading this forum), and for some reason my credit card was declined. I received an email telling me about it saying that it'll be cancelled by 6pm today if I don't call up for payment. I didn't get to a computer till I got home from work, which was about 8pm. I don't want to call their customer service number (since they'll charge me an extra $50 to talk to a person), but does this mean that my whole booking has been cancelled and I'm back to the beginning?

Please help! I've tried to read their terms and conditions, but to me, it just doesn't make sense......The stress is killing me!!!

Cheers!
Privatemaxim

 

[eastwest101]

I would suggest you contact your credit card provider to see if the transaction really was declined or has been charged to your credit card. If there is no financial penaly in cancelling the card, and you have another credit card to make another booking - that might be the safest way to proceed. As you say - Webjet may not necessarliy be the best price and its usually worthwhile using sites like webjet just for preliminary fare comparisons and then narrow down the dates, airlines and flights that you want and then compare prices on the airlines official web sites. What you have described sounds a little "scammy" for my liking. Have a look around these forums and use the search thread functions for advice on shopping for best prices and airfares as this site is a wealth of information once you start to look into it.

 

[Privatemaxim]

Thanks for your reply. I don't think it's a scam, nor do I think my card is compromised. I may have superimposed numbers wrong. The email states:

Subsequent to making your Webjet flight booking online, we have today attempted to charge your credit card,
but the details you have supplied have been declined by the Bank either because
the details you entered were incorrect or/and you do not have sufficient funds to cover the value of your booking.
The flight details are-:

*Deleted*
We ask that you immediately contact your Bank and check your approval level and then contact our Customer Service Centre:
1300 137 737 if you are calling within Australia.
0800 445 641 if you are calling from New Zealand.
61 3 9040 0070 if you are calling from any other location.

We are open 24hrs 7 days a week.

However, to avoid any increase in price to the airfare quoted (at time of booking), payment needs to be made no later than 06:00PM today (AEST).
As advised in the Webjet terms and conditions full payment is required at the time of booking and unfortunately, Webjet will not be liable for any increase. in airfare.

Also, as per the airfare conditions, the airline stipulates that unless payment is made in full before this time, your seats may be automatically cancelled.


Do you think my booking is still there? Am I still liable for payment for the booking? I'm asking as I'm now inclined to make a booking with the actual airline?

Thanks!
Private Maxim

 

[eastwest101]

As I read that email - your booking may still be temopararily "held" on their system - if you do call them back with your credit card details they could proceed with the original booking, but they can't make you pay if they do not have your correct credit card details. My view is that if you do nothing and don't contact them then your booking with Webjet will safely expire without any cost to you or them.

Whether it was insufficient funds or just a typo with your credit card number or expiry dates - it dosen't matter - they can't proceed with the transaction and the booking, unless one of those mistakes are sorted out with you, if you wish to. It would have been nice if Webjet were able to specifically tell you why the bank declined. I would still double check with your bank/credit card co to be on the safe side.

 

[Privatemaxim]

Thanks EastWest101 for your help!

I actually started panicking when I got the e-mail. So I looked it up again, but found a cheaper flight that came up as well.
I then went to the official airline website and found the same cheaper price.
I really don't want to be double booked on two flights if I book the cheaper one! I called my CC and went through the pending transactions and Webjet
wasn't on it. I certainly have the funds to pay for it, and not sure why my CC may have declined it ...but I do remember being in a rush to type
in my details, etc when I did it.
I'll let the Webjet one expire as long as I don't have to pay for anything....

Cheers!
PM