So Angry...........

Tippytoes

I'll try keeping it brief. I needed to book a flight for an overseas family celebration and was horrified to see how prices have soared. Anyway, found the flight I wanted and decided to book by phone rather than internet. Not sure if I can name the agency, but very well-known.

I told the agent the exact flight I wanted, dates etc and the price. The lady (overseas call-centre) told me that the price had changed and was now £200 more. I told her I still had their website open (even logged out, then in again) and asked why there was this huge difference. All of a sudden, her understanding of English diminished, but I got the message that it was take it or leave it. I left it.

I then booked the flight through the next cheapest agency, which was £100 dearer than the former's "original" price. When I told my other half what had happened, they went onto the internet and brought up the flight, then phoned the first agency. We were told the price of the flight was as per the internet, cost no more to book over the phone and he could offer no explanation as to why I had been told £200 more.

So, I paid £100 more for my flight than I needed. Having used online travel agencies for years, it does seem to be a "finger in the air" job where pricing is concerned. Do they make it up as they go along? I know price quoted is always "live", but my experience is that it also depends on who you talk to. Got a funny feeling that the first agent was hoping I'd pay for her holiday too.

Rant over.........

richardw

Charter, scheduled or no frills flight?

Tippytoes

Scheduled flight.

bagand96

Who were the agents, you are allowed to name them. Also, just out of interest, why didn't you just book online when you found the price on the website?

Tippytoes

bagand96 wrote: »

Who were the agents, you are allowed to name them. Also, just out of interest, why didn't you just book online when you found the price on the website?

Ebookers. Had booked online before, but when paying with debit card often encountered problems to do with bank card security "reader code". Anyway, I'm so rattled I'll never do business with Ebookers again - even if they are the cheapest.

joerugby

I've found Ebookers very helpful.

I had to cancel a pre-booked hotel with them last year due to my wife's illness and despite their t&cs they contacted the hotel and got me a full refund. They didn't even retain a handling charge.