Reward Seat Tax ripoff [Quoted $125 - charged $500]

[QLDOOL]

I recently went through the process of claiming rewardseats from Sydney to Hong Kong with Virgin Atlantic with the 2ndoption via Singapore Air. After many attempts and hours on the phonefinally some relief to exorbitant amounts of taxes required in addition topoints.

Finally got a Platinum agent who worked out that booking a Virgin Australiafare with Virgin Atlantic reduced the taxes to $125 person ratherthan $500 each.

Well don't trust what you are told, the electronictickets arrive and I failed to checked the $ charged. Along comes the Visaaccount and I have been ripped off, $500 each rather than the quoted $125. Herewe go again ring the 'local' call centre, they don't understand so it is demandthe supervisor. The supervisor finally agrees to check what notes the agent hadput on the call and yes there is it: $125 per person, well that is notgood enough now we need to check the voice recording. Supervisor advises willring back in 24 hours it is not that easy to find the call to confirm what theagent had written. When I questioned the time advised I could go on hold for anhour or 2 and hopefully get a response, I suggested a call back told wait24 hours. Well the music on hold is not that good so now I wait a call back.


Is it normal practice to quote 1 amount and charge another and then delay a resolution?


Is it normal practise to quote 1 amount and charge another.

 

[anat0l]

I'm amazed you can redeem on the codeshare flights. At least that's a savvy way to dodge the YQ.

Anyway, just be glad if you get the difference back. I haven't had an experience like yours ever before, on any carrier, but at least your side was validated. I probably would've reinforced your correctness by getting the new agent to add notes to your booking to that effect, in case you have to convince the next agent of the situation.

 

[coles525]

I always have an "insurance backup" by recording all my calls, both made and recieved calls.

Ive used it once in the last few months in regards to my mobile phone company!

Program I use (currently using, many programs to use) now is Androrec.

Best thing is that it will always win, especially in regards to companies saying they dont have recordings, can't find anything on record, or just don't care!

I just offer to email a copy of the actual recording, which they decide to find their own call recording history.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I always have an "insurance backup" by recording all my calls, both made and recieved calls.

OT warning.....is it not illegal to record conversations without notifying the other party?

I'd dearly like to do it (but haven't yet). "Before we continue swanning_it, we have to advise you we are recording this conversation".......to which I'd love to reply "I accept if you do same"!

As for changes........they tend to do as it pleases them at the time. One agent can be exceptionally helpful, and the next exceptionally destructive. Good luck, I'd love to know the outcome!

 

[coles525]

As far as I've always known, as long as one person knows it's being recorded (the call maker), all seems fine.

But for the legal buffs out there reading this, isn't it bad to say false things, or refuse to honour the aggrements?

As long as I've got the proof, I really dont xare what the other side says, especially if they aren't truthful from the start! (Yes we will do..... but always seems to lose there call records or email?)

I always offer to help them out if they need assistance finding any previous call records!

I never do it for quality & coaching purposes, I do it for proof / "warrenty" purposes. The call was made, and this is your quote at length ...... of the phone call.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As far as I've always known, as long as one person knows it's being recorded (the call maker), all seems fine.

I'm with you but I'd love some legal opinion on that summation! In the meantime, I'll probably choose not to record conversations but I have refused to accept call recording when it has suited me....mainly because I just didn't feel like being accommodating at the time :shock:.

Mind you, many times I've stumped callers who ring from a bank or similar and start with "For security purposes, can you just confirm all your most private and intimate details for us unknown callers to make note of" and they seem totally surprised and offended when I tell them that they called me so how about they tell me their 6 digit password, date of birth, account no. and mother maiden name as I need a new extension to my home..........

 

[Mal]

I Once had a debt collector texting me to call them back regarding a debt for someone else (I didn't know them!).

Call them back and advise the staffer I am recording this call. Was hung up on straight away. Lol.

Called back. Different operator. Recorded the call and didn't advise.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

Mind you, many times I've stumped callers who ring from a bank or similar and start with "For security purposes, can you just confirm all your most private and intimate details for us unknown callers to make note of" and they seem totally surprised and offended when I tell them that they called me so how about they tell me their 6 digit password, date of birth, account no. and mother maiden name as I need a new extension to my home..........

I do the same. Great sport

 

[mannej]

As far as I've always known, as long as one person knows it's being recorded (the call maker), all seems fine.

You may want to check the surveillance act. I believe you do need consent to record a conversation.
I am not a legal buff, but I do remember reading over it following an incident with a colleague at work.

 

[quick_dry]

Finally got a Platinum agent who worked out that booking a Virgin Australiafare with Virgin Atlantic reduced the taxes to $125 person ratherthan $500 each.

was there any trick to getting them to do this? I'm about to book VS SYD-HKG as well.

Besides this tax confusion, was there any pitfall with doing the VS/VA codeshare booking? e.g. can't do advance seat allocation on a VA/NZ codeshare.

 

[markis10]

You may want to check the surveillance act. I believe you do need consent to record a conversation.
I am not a legal buff, but I do remember reading over it following an incident with a colleague at work.

Its covered under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act and is prohibited if the other party in unaware of the interception (which includes recording) unless said interception is under warrant or part of an exempt activity which is to do with investigations, or its in regards a debt due to a telco!

 

[QLDOOL]

Velocity came through after checking the recording they found that the original quoted price for 4 passengers was the total to paid and not each. A refund is being processed. The notes on the booking also had the details of the charges, all in all a good result. I understand it was booked as a VA flight the taxes are not as high as Virgin Atlantic (as discussed in other posts)

thank you to call centre supervisor who sorted the matter out and did ring back at the time promised.