Travel agent gone AWOL

[Pushka]

I don’t mean to be a barer of bad tidings, but this reminds me of a situation of a friend some years back. She was an accountant, small business sole trader she worked from home. She became very very ill and was unable to respond to her client’s requests. Friends stepped in to answer her phone/emails etc and tell her client’s they needed to find another accountant.

That was my first thought too but activity on the socials might suggest otherwise, or else someone else is doing that on their behalf.

 

[andrewh3]

No e-ticket numbers or other details on any ‘ticketing’ or host company that I can see. Last trip I used Netwave for was in April and after constant pestering for the e-ticket number I eventually obtained this direct from Qantas (needed this information as QF to DFW but then some US internal flights on AA and I find their app really useful). CC was billed a booking fee direct to Netwave travel ($200 to $400) and then the cost of the ticket to Qantas Airways Mascot.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

So your ticket in this case was charged to Qantas airways mascot? If that's the case it will have been ticketed at least

 

[andrewh3]

Yes I think so, but QF just refuses to help: “contact your agent”…..

 

[Pushka]

Yes I think so, but QF just refuses to help: “contact your agent”…..

Can you plug the PNR into Finnair and see if it's ticketed?

 

[Clayton]

I fully sympathise with @andrewh3 dilemma. This is a situation that any of us could be involved in when depending on 3rd parties.

I stopped using travel agents in June 2020, when confronted with possibly losing full deposit for a cruise on Silversea due to the TA not using the correct comms channel when requesting cancellation due to the Pandemic. Since then I've read all the recommendations that a "good" TA can provide better access to the airline, cruiseline etc. However on balance I prefer to take responsibility, and would definitely want to be fully informed of all ticket numbers and to confirm these with the ultimate service provider.

At this stage with impending travel timeframe I would contact the CC provider and discuss the complexity of the issue and request their advice. It is a real shame that Qantas is totally dismissive of your issue, there surely would be a mechanism to work through this process, between yourself, Qantas and the CC provider.

 

[serfty]

Can you plug the PNR into Finnair and see if it's ticketed?

That only can work these days if there is a Finnair segment in the booking,

 

[SeatBackForward]

Unless im mistaken, the issue here (reason for the post) isn't a ticket, but making changes to an existing ticket?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes I think so, but QF just refuses to help: “contact your agent”…..

You need to get it in front of a decision maker… not the call centre.

Emailing QF on the contacts provided earlier in the thread might assist in doing that.

There is no legal reason I can think of why Qantas can’t take over the booking. An issue could arise if you wanted a refund, or you need to make changes that incur a change in fare. QF may not have even received the money yet if no ticket has been issued, so they may not have the ability to refund. or was there a separate billing line for this trip to ‘Qantas’ (as happened for your last trip)

If you haven’t received ticket numbers, that may be grounds for a chargeback under your credit card.

 

[andrewh3]

Yes, CC on my list as last option. It is a Qantas Titanium (run behind the scenes by NAB). Should cover cancellation (I hope, required for 2 trips) but they cannot help with any changes.

 

[Lux]

Yes, CC on my list as last option. It is a Qantas Titanium (run behind the scenes by NAB). Should cover cancellation (I hope, required for 2 trips) but they cannot help with any changes.

If Qantas charged your card, and you do a chargeback, I would think you would be placed on a ban list for future business. I would keep following up with Qantas until you get the right outcome.

 

[k_sheep]

I have found him generally very helpful and responsive so this seems very out of character! I'm more worried something has happened to him; online activity can be a bit phantom.

Frustrating for you andrewh3 though, and I hope you get a resolution soon.

 

[DC3]

… he has been visiting AFF usually just after midnight …

And just 75 minutes ago it seems.