Travel Agent disaster

[mayhemdiva]

In an effort to save myself time this year went to a well know travel agency and having done some research told them what when and where and left it with them. What i got back was almost exactly what I had found except instead of going MEL-IST-LONDON-MEL. Simple ticketing
I got MEL-IST.LONDON MEL. then separate ticket IST-LON.
OVERALL THAT was an extra 400 per person doing it that way. Then requested some changes and was told I could not have them as the fares were no refund no change. So paid another $1000 for flights kissing $1300 worth goodbye. Thought about it and started to get really angry and got my flight/booking number from agent (I had minimal paperwork) and rang airlines myself and found out that the original flights were changeable for 20 euros..but they would not deal with me as They had dealt with the Agent..so where to from here??? I usually do it all myself, and in fact this agent did not bother to even look further than my basic searches..booked verbatim..I thought you went to a travel agent mainly for their greater knowledge and expertise and supposedly better resources..My travel partner now expects me to make up his loss..so not happy any suggestions on where to from here??? HOW can airlines justify keeping money when they have six months notice before I fly of my cancellation?? And then they get to sell my seat again! :shock:Not as if they have my meal ready.. Happy to give more detail to anyone who can assist..

 

[moa999]

Welcome to AFF

Am struggling to understand parts of your post
1. Why go with the agent if they were $400 more
2. Why did you pay more for additional flights before checking whether they were changeable.
3. Why does your travel partner expect you to pay? What prompted the changes.

Unfortunately, but like any profession, there are good and bad operators. Many of the 'cheaper shops' do have substantial penalties for cancellations/ alterations. As always you do need to read the T&Cs and ask for cancellation/ alteration charges to be detailed.

 

[mayhemdiva]

The tickets were $400 more than I had found them on an internet site which was not in Aus or AUD and its conditions where garbled, so took the safer(I thought ) option of letting an agent check it out.
The change came about because the agent used the last flight of the day arrive/ first flight of the morning leave on our stopover so that we got to see nothing of where we wanted to go...money already paid for another airline but swapped by agent for a 'better deal"
I DID check with the Agent, left it with them for 10 days, checking in every couple of days and with emails, and was told none of the flights could be changed. On that advice in writing from the Agent I proceeded to get new tickets as I was at risk of other hotel plans falling through..Egypt is very busy at XMAS. It was only by chance that I decided to pursue it myself by ringing the overseas airline that I found out that they were changeable, after the fact of course.
My travel partner left all this up to me and they believe that until such time as someone coughs up they are out of pocket and I can sort it out...(will hide the tummytablets on them during the trip as punishment.lol) Yes, shonky operators, but I did go to a reputable airline, I did read what little fine print I was given (none which detailed what the conditions of these fares were) I did expect to have to pay a penalty, just not forfeit $1300.plus pay another 980.($2280)If the agent had done her job properly it would have cost only
20 euros x 2, agents 30 x2.. and possible 200 x 2 if had to lose leg IST - LON so max $600...

 

[Moody]

It's disappointing to be ripped off by the fine print, but even worse to be blatently lied to.

I too have flushed hundreds away on useless travel agents but fortunately it wasn't my money as it was for corporate travel. It still rankled me to the point where I no longer use the mandated agent and book my own travel and accommodation. If my employers give me a hard time I can at least point to the thousands I have saved them.

But just so that we all know can you please name the agent.

 

[mayhemdiva]

Dont know protocol on naming/shaming however this is the first time I have used them and I wont be centering my flights or my cash on them again.
If this was the first time I had travelled I would probably not feel so stupid but its not..I go away every year overseas..maybe I just got lulled into a false sense of security..

 

[straitman]

mayhemdiva,

I was going to send you a PM but you don't have it selected as an option. You only have ICQ and I gave up on that a few years ago :!:

 

[serfty]

If you look up FC on this forum you will not find many complimentary posts.

For some things a travel agent may be necessary - If the need arose, I would not use that particular one - EVER!

 

[munitalP]

If you look if FC on this forum you will not find many complimentary posts.

For some things a travel agent may be necessary - I would not use that particular one - EVER!

I'm stuck with them as our corp trav agent - my PA tears her hair out over these clowns.... It is seldom that a multi sector multi carrier is ever ticketed correctly im my experience - and its been a few flights as well!

Agreed +1

Avoid at all cost! (just like Ryan air - avoid at all cost!)


Mr!

:evil:

 

[Travel Guru]

If you feel like they've done the wrong thing by you, your first move should be to contact their complaints line on 1800 117 747.

You'll find they are far more independent than the store manager or area leader will be and so you're more likely to get a favourable response; plus, each call is logged and has to have a resolution recorded so it can't just be swept under the carpet.

TG

 

[vowgs]

Unfortunately, but like any profession, there are good and bad operators.

This is spot on, and it really disappoints me that a small amount (read majority) of agents from FC generate this public dissent. Your best bet when searching for a TA is to ask around. Those who've had great experiences will be quick to refer you to a specific consultant; consultants whose expertise makes planning your travel simple, and who realise the value for themselves in doing so.

 

[whereishome]

FWIW, after returning for an extended period working overseas I was recommended a TA by my mother. Now, knowing what a pain in the proverbial she is to any kind of customer service staff if she doesn't get what she asked for at the price, and given that she had been using this woman for a good 2 years I thought it was worth trying.

Now, 12 months and 4-5 trips domestically and internationally I'm very happy. Not only is she happy to ticket me exactly on the flights I ask for but she'll beat pricing I get anywhere else (although only by $20) and as a returning customer I now get discount travel insurance. And as I found out last week she completely understood my reasons (mileage and SCs) for changing flight details (which involved a bit of running around on her part).

If anyone wants a stellar TA in the Brisbane CBD then PM me.

 

[auriga]

Isn't selling travel insurance a good source of income for travel agents?

 

[Travel Guru]

It used to be, not so much anymore as alot of sales are lost to online operations.

Still a very good margin, but just not the same volume as there once was.

TG

 

[N860CR]

Thats what turns me off TA's a bit these days. When I booked a flight to SFO last year I dropped into a few TA's to see if I could get a good price seeing I was under 25 at the time, however after visiting two of them and having no efforts at all to find me a good fare but instead a 10 minute hard-sell on overpriced insurance, I gave up and did it myself.

For the records sake... one TA tried to sell me tickets on NZ for $2200 and another QF for $2100. The NZ website was $1800 and in the end STA online had an under 25 fare for $1600, however I booked the direct QF for $1700 from them. Quite a difference (and no $400 QBE insurance policy to go with it!)