flignt centre did not match my flight

clay1979

hi everyone need some help

understood flight centre price matched flights if you got a quote from another agent. I did this as i was looking for three flights to australia. I got a quote emailed to me and forwarded this to a travel consultant at the flight centre. He said the dates i wanted to go the other travel agency must have held the last three cheaper economy tickets and he told me to ask them to unhold them and the flight centre will get them for me. I did that and they still couldnt find the same seats, the flight centre travel agent said that the next priced economy tickets were slightly more expensive and to price match this he would need to clear it with his head office the next day as i had done this on a sunday.

The travel agent felt all was good and it should be confirmed the next day. The next day i recieved a call saying flight centre would not price match as i had not sent the quote to them on pdf format. I could not believe this as on their terms and conditions i could not see that this was a term. i was also annoyed as i had unheld seats with the other travel company and not lost the cheap flights. The flight centre offered me the next available flights which i had to take as availability was low and now im 200 pound out of pocket.

I went with the flight centre to price match as i had not heard of the other travel company but dont feel ive got anywhere and wonder if i can get any of my money back as the terms and conditions do not state a quote has to be on pdf format.

I will attach a copy of their terms and conditions to see what anyone else thinks? please help, we have been saving for these three tickets to australia for a long time and now feel a little annoyed.

thanks all
carrie
us a competitors airfare quote and, if it's genuine and available,
WE WILL BEAT IT!*(Equivalent booking class only)

*Price Beat Guarantee applies to scheduled airfares only and not charter or low cost airlines, for travel originating from the UK. Terms and conditions apply, please see below:
How it works...

1) You find a scheduled* carrier's airfare that is available to the UK general public from another high street or on-line travel agent, airline or call centre.
2) Visit a Flight Centre store or call a Flight Centre travel consultant on the same day you receive the quote. Email requests cannot be accepted unless followed up by a phone call or visit to a store.
3) Show the Flight Centre travel consultant printed confirmation of the airfare quote.
4) Flight Centre will cross-check the quote for availability and booking conditions that same day.
5) Flight Centre will be able to confirm availability if the exact itinerary featured on the competitor's quote is accessible to be booked in the same booking class, in the same cabin, with the same booking conditions, as the competitor's quote.**
6) If Flight Centre is able to confirm that the airfare is still available to be booked as per the itinerary quoted, we will not only match the airfare but BEAT IT!
If you wish to book with Flight Centre or require further information about our Price Beat Guarantee, visit your nearest store or call 0870 499 0040.
*Applies to scheduled airlines only and not Charter or Low Cost airlines, for travel originating from the UK.

**Booking classes - a definition. Individual seats or group of seats within each cabin, on all airlines (i.e. seats or group of seats within economy cabin, business cabin) are assigned a booking class by the airline. Each booking class has specified conditions of booking attached, which is reflected in the price paid for that seat or group of seats in that booking class, within that cabin. Differences between booking classes relate to the flexibility and/or transferability of the ticket (i.e. the ability after booking and paying for the seat to change elements of itinerary such as travel dates, time of travel, change destination etc). Less 'flexible' booking classes will not allow changes whereas more 'flexible' booking classes will allow changes to be made, sometimes as a cost, sometimes at no cost depending on the conditions of that specific booking class.
The Price Beat Guarantee will be honoured if there are seats or group of seats still available to be booked in the same booking class, in the same cabin as per the itinerary and booking conditions contained on the competitor's quote.

Bananabelly

I had a quick look at their website, and they don't actually appear to have a price match guarantee now, there is a different 'fly for free' thing. This was on their website though, you should take it up with them:

13. If You Have a Complaint
Any problems that arise whilst you are on holiday should be communicated to the relevant supplier immediately so that they have the chance to rectify the issue. If they are unable to resolve the issue, you must contact Flight Centre immediately so that we are able to help. If you fail to follow this simple procedure we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were in resort and this may affect your rights under this contract.
If your complaint is not resolved locally, please follow this up within 21 days of your return home in the first instance with the consultant who booked your holiday or the branch manager. Failing this you may write to our Customer Excellence Department at Level 6, CI Tower, High St, New Malden, UK, KT3 4TE giving your booking reference, the store you booked through and all other relevant information within the timeframe set above.
We are members of ABTA (membership number F3691) and abide by ABTA’s code of conduct. ABTA offers an arbitration scheme should we be unable to resolve any disputes. Further information on ABTA’s arbitration scheme and the code of conduct can be found at www.abta.com.


Why didn't you just book the cheap tickets that you had rather than all that fussing around?

clay1979

thanks for your reply, i didnt book with the other company as had not heard of them at all and as was spending £3000 wanted to go with someone id booked with before. As for the price match the actual flight centre told me about it and the terms and conditions above are on their web site regarding it. Have contacted their customer service team, waiting for a reply.