"Webjet"

[Mal]

I wonder if it's time all AFF's complain to the ACCC about webjet?

I can't legitimately complain to the ACCC about webjet due to residency, likewise I can't complain to fair trading bodies about the Priority Privilege scheme. I do hope someone does take up either or both of the causes.,.

 

[harvyk]

I'm still a little puzzled how webjet have not been pinged on all inclusive pricing laws. Basically if you offer a good or service for a price, that price must be all inclusive of all fee taxes and charges. This is not to say they can't have a CC surcharge, but if they do, they must either include it in the upfront fare or have a method in which to pay and avoid the CC surcharge. Likewise with all other "price guarantees" et all.

 

[cmon0005]

WOW, can't believe this made the front page of the Freq Flyer newsletter down with hidden fees!!

 

[anat0l]

Can we get this onto AusBT? The uselessness and lack of transparency on the part of Webjet is one discussion I'm very happy for them to poach off here.

The only good thing about Webjet, as others say, is that it is one of the few portals where you can get an all-airlines comparison of prices in a convenient interface.

 

[VeloNomad.com]

I may be wrong but isn't forcing you to use a credit card (which attracts fees)
a) third line forcing
b) breaking all inc fees rules as these are effectively non avoidable?

Jetstar is a shocker for Dark Patterns too, with EFT payment option really well hidden.

I hate it, it's just sneaky.

 

[sammm]

I only use Webjet as a means of checking different airlines and prices. Webjet in itself is too expensive. eg their booking fees etc.

 

[monoccular]

I use Webjet sometimes to search for available flights, but then book with the airlines direct.

 

[harvyk]

I may be wrong but isn't forcing you to use a credit card (which attracts fees)
a) third line forcing
b) breaking all inc fees rules as these are effectively non avoidable?

Jetstar is a shocker for Dark Patterns too, with EFT payment option really well hidden.

I hate it, it's just sneaky.

It's perfectly legal to force you to use a credit card and even charge you a surcharge for the privilege, provided the price you quote on the front page includes that surcharge as part of the quote. So if a airfare costs $90, and you have a $8 CC fee which is unavoidable, you need to advertise that airfare for $98 on the front page, even if you break down the price into it's components, that $98 needs to be as prominent as the $90.

 

[simebo]

I've had a similar bad experience with Webjet this week. I had booked a flight BNE-MEL last week for the Lions test. Then I was sent to MEL for work so had to get a credit from WJ. Change fee $60 per person which is apparently a VA fee. Then tried to use that credit for a BNE-SYD flight this week (again for Lions test) and was told ok, but there will be a fee of #39.99 additional airfare and taxes PLUS the $60 airline change fee again. So a $319 one-way flight has cost me ~$479. Not real happy but needed to get to SYD on Saturday...at least I scored an upgrade to Business using Velocity points.

I would say I won't be using WJ again but often they seem to have flight bookings available that are unavailable on VA or QF websites.

Simon

 

[petercr]

Just went searching to see what I could find on this subject and the first hit from Google is;

Pricing Policy - Webjet.com.au

All displays of pricing in this website are in accordance with ACCC guidelines.

EDIT: searching on the ACCC website reveals numerous applications for 'third line forcing' by Webjet in conjunction with various financial institutions (which I also thought was totally illegal)

 

[whatmeworry]

WOW, can't believe this made the front page of the Freq Flyer newsletter down with hidden fees!!

About time. There have numerous examples of the almost borderline scams Webjet consider good business practice.

 

[zbpanda]

WEBJET is joke. some agency much better than it.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I would say I won't be using WJ again but often they seem to have flight bookings available that are unavailable on VA or QF websites.

During the recent Jetstar $10 airfare birthday sale the JQ website was overloaded so it was near impossible to make a booking however you could book those fares via www.expedia.com. They do charge a credit card fee and there is no option for bank deposit, Bpay or POLi however way cheaper than Webjet as Expedia don't charge a $19.95 'processing fee' nor the $12.95 price guarantee.

 

[Wawny]

I only use Webjet to get an idea of flights and if I like any I go to the airline site. It's a rip-off

 

[Major]

I use Webjet sometimes to search for available flights, but then book with the airlines direct.

That's exactly what I do. The Webjet fees and charges are disgraceful.

I can't see any reason to book a flight with this mob

 

[OATEK]

Agreed, expedia is so much better, their website is easy to use and the deals/fees(if any) are reasonable..

I often use Expedia to explore various options. They have the seatmap function for many airlines so you don't have to be using up you expert flyer searches while you are just browsing options. Used Webjet for a Hotel booking once - it was a special and better than the Hotel's own site. Couldn't imagine using them for a flight - especially after ozbeachbabe's excellent post.

 

[harvyk]

Just went searching to see what I could find on this subject and the first hit from Google is;

Pricing Policy - Webjet.com.au

All displays of pricing in this website are in accordance with ACCC guidelines.

But a statement like this is pretty meaningless if you think about it. For example I could wear a T-Shirt with "I'm a sexy beast" printed on it. Just because the T-Shirt says so, doesn't make it so.

 

[petercr]

there was originally a 'shocked look' smilie on the end of that comment but it disappeared somewhere... :shock: I agree that it's not worth the electronic paper it's written on and -SHOULD- rank up there with the 'no refunds or exchanges' signs that the ACCC and Fair Trading depts crack down on...

 

[whatmeworry]

We should all send tipoffs to "The Checkout" on ABC. Hopefully they do a story on webjet on their next season.
Tip-offs - The Checkout - ABC TV

Plus The Checkout has list of resources for those with consumer issues.
About - The Checkout - ABC TV

 

[Julesmac]

Very interesting points... I wonder if anyone has complained to the appropriate bodies? Qantas wouldn't get away with it. Virgin wouldn't and jetstar would be murdered on the stake. While I hate the way Qantas et.al exempt various strange ways of paying from fees to keep in the spirit of the legislation , webjet seem to be laughing at the rules.

I bet Choice Mag could run a terrific story on this. Wonder if Consumer Affairs would be interrested. Truth in advertising? Nope

While on the subject of hidden fees - kind of OTT but shows how sneaky booking agencies are. I booked some Fleetwood Mac tickets yesterday. You have the option of a paper ticket by mail, details sent to your phone, or print your own ticket. They charge FIVE DOLLARS for those last two options. Geez my printer, my paper, my ink -RIP OFF.
Rant over