Travel agent gone AWOL

[blackcat20]

Was also online on FB earlier today.

 

[I love to travel]

Did you pay for these flights using your own credit or debit card

 

[andrewh3]

Own CC

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Did you pay for these flights using your own credit or debit card

Are you suggesting a chargeback?

Interesting question.

While the flights have been paid and tickets received, if you can’t actually use them, I wonder if that’s grounds for a chargeback?

To the OP, can you confirm that this is a sole trader agency? There’s no one else that works there?

Maybe a call to consumer affairs in your state, it’s a free service, and they can provide you with some advice? It’s strange the airline won’t take over the booking

 

[RooFlyer]

@andrewh3 I may have an avenue you can explore - but I'm having difficulty sending you a DM 'conversation'. Could you DM me, please?

EDIT: got it working - pls check your conversations & get back to me.

 

[I love to travel]

@andrewh3 has this been sorted?

 

[andrewh3]

Sadly no. Qantas ‘senior’ supervisor never called back. Victorian based agent is trying to progress but no response from Qantas so far.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sadly no. Qantas ‘senior’ supervisor never called back. Victorian based agent is trying to progress but no response from Qantas so far.

Maybe try the Airline Consumer Advocate?

Or AFTA. Although you can lodge a complaint online with AFTA there doesn’t seem to be any phone number.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Maybe try the Airline Consumer Advocate?

Or AFTA. Although you can lodge a complaint online with AFTA there doesn’t seem to be any phone number.

Nothing to do with the airline. As industry practice they refer on to the passengers travel agent

May not be they correct industry body. Home ATIA

The peak body for Australian travel agents is the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), which manages consumer disputes through a structured escalation process via the Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS). [1, 2, 3, 4]

Complaint Escalation Process

• • Stage 1 (Direct to Agent): You must first submit a formal written complaint directly to your travel agent or tour operator. The business has 21 business days to investigate and attempt a resolutiom
  snip

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Nothing to do with the airline. As industry practice they refer on to the passengers travel agent

May not be they correct industry body. Home ATIA

It seems AFTA has rebranded! The search engine still shows AFTA, and the opening sentence is: The Australian Federation of Travel Agents Limited (AFTA) is the peak body for Australia's travel businesses and represents the majority of retail and corporate travel agents, tour operators, wholesalers and consolidators.

Although elsewhere they say ATIA was originally established as AFTA.

Disagree that it is nothing to do with the airline… the travel agent is the agent for the airline, not the passenger. The contract of carriage is with the airline. If the travel agent has gone AWOL, an airline should step up to help. And probably the right person in the airline could help… but that probably outside the scope of the call centre.

‘Just because’ airlines always refer you back to the agent doesn’t mean they can’t make exceptions, or that that’s legally binding.

If an airline requires ticketing changes but the agent has gone, the airline can’t perform its contract. So they have to be able to step in where required.

 

[freqflyer77]

So is the agent still not responding despite this thread?

According to their profile they were online 30 min ago so this seems a little fishy...

 

[andrewh3]

No response from agent and I really have tried very hard. They are not a member of ATIA/AFTA so they will not help.

 

[freqflyer77]

No response from agent and I really have tried very hard. They are not a member of ATIA/AFTA so they will not help.

Interesting...

Maybe you should book in for the next AFF Masterclass since he's a featured presenter.

 

[andrewh3]

That is bizarre. When is the masterclass?

 

[freqflyer77]

That is bizarre. When is the masterclass?

Join Our Frequent Flyer MasterClass - Australian Frequent Flyer

Learn from Australia's leading frequent flyer points experts. Limited spots available.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Session 3. Don't miss it.

 

[andrewh3]

That will be after the first of the three trips I have booked, but will see what happens and if I am $30k out of pocket I will be there!

 

[Pushka]

This doesn't look good for using a Travel Agent. Especially as there seems to be a presence but no assistance. I really hope you can get something sorted asap.

 

[freqflyer77]

That will be after the first of the three trips I have booked, but will see what happens and if I am $30k out of pocket I will be there!

Obviously I don't know the full story, and they're under no obligation to get involved, but it might perhaps be worth reaching out to the admins/owners of the AFF website who are running the masterclass featuring the travel agent you're having difficulties with, to make them aware of your situation.

Contact Australian Frequent Flyer - Australian Frequent Flyer

Contact Australian Frequent Flyer You can contact us at any time by using the form below. We will aim to get back to you as soon as possible. If you have

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

All the best with sorting it out.

 

[markis10]

I am a little surprised a none AFTA member is being promoted as part of the event?