Is kiwi.com ok to book with?

Caz3121

The Kiwi guarantee details are here https://www.kiwi.com/en/pages/guarantee
it states they will either provide an alternate flight or refund the unused ticket (would be their choice) The should refund an alternate flight only if you have it in writing agreeing before you book it
They are not particularly reputable, cobble together separate flights and there are reams of complaints about them...why did you choose them to be your agent?

suba789

Dont buy if you stuck then nowhere....Kiwi doesn,t have proper communication with airlines...

Failed to inform about flight cancellation to the passenger in advance.

Sharing pretty bad experience with Kiwi & Spicejet on 7th Nov 2017 by passenger
( my wife & child) at connecting flight.
In my life, 1st time, I was very surprised to know the standard of such company dealing in Aviation industry.
It was very-very bad experience with Kiwi...felt like no value of customer/ passengers.

leylandsunaddict

Kiwi are beyond naff, but many airlines, never mind OTAs don't inform about cancellations/changes. You always need to be proactive and check your bookings regularly. It is your responsibility to know about your own flight.

Yin010114

My partner and I have had an awful experience with Kiwi.com. I highly recommend you look for more a well-known, credible company to book your flights with.

Due to visa complications, we were unable to make out outward flight to Mumbai, and were advised by the airport/airline to ask our 'travel agent' to simply change the outbound flight (with a fee, of course, which we were more than happy to pay).

We spent a total of 12 hours back and forth on the phone, being asked to wait on hold, the phone being put down, etc... each eventual conversation ending with us being told that it was not their responsibility to change flights. We have NOT been asking for free flights! ONLY for them to book us onto another flight, that of which we will pay the charges. They have point blank refused which has lead to us losing both our outbound and return flights and needing to pay for a whole new set.

If you think of any credible travel agent, they would NEVER treat customers in this way. In fact, any sensible business can see that they would be taking MORE money from us had they sorted the change of flights.

We were well within the time allowed to change flights, and therefore fit the brief of a reasonable request.

Absolutely furious, and out of pocket.

Do NOT spend money with this company if you can't afford to get it back.

richardw

I don’t think they’re promoting themselves as a ‘credible travel agent’.

Westin

#25

I suspect that you had purchased (cheapest) tickets with restrictions and that changes were not possible.

Not sure what time periods you are referring to when you say "We were well within the time allowed to change flights, and therefore fit the brief of a reasonable request."

If you had a visa issue the airline/airport would refer you back to your agent. The agent may however not be able to make the changes you wanted if the fare basis and ticket type was a restrictive one. Rarely a case of "ask our 'travel agent' to simply change the outbound flight" - whether you are happy to pay a fee or not.

Many of these online airline ticket agents are little more that touts. Things might be fine, all things going well, but any changes you wish to make and expect problems. Margins will be wafer thin and these companies just don't have people around to deal with customer service/interaction. Kiwi.com is not a full service travel agency. Sadly, book cheap - get cheap.

Paddy_H

I have recently booked a flight to Germany through this website without realising it was Kiwi. It requires a flight out with one Company and the return with another. Although I was surprised at the small number of questions to answer I proceeded and paid. The comments on this Forum have now given me some misgivings. Am I likely to be let down by Kiwi and if so is there anything to be done before travelling in May?

Voyager2002

Paddy_H wrote: »

I have recently booked a flight to Germany through this website without realising it was Kiwi. It requires a flight out with one Company and the return with another. Although I was surprised at the small number of questions to answer I proceeded and paid. The comments on this Forum have now given me some misgivings. Am I likely to be let down by Kiwi and if so is there anything to be done before travelling in May?

It is highly probable that they will issue precisely the tickets that you have ordered through them. So long as you do not need a visa to go to Germany; nor for any country where you will need to change 'planes; and so long as the flight times do not get changed by the airline in the meantime, then you should be fine.

If you want to make any changes to your booking then you are likely to suffer from their lack of customer service: and of course it is highly probable that your tickets do not in any case allow any changes. In case the airline cancels your flights or significantly changes the flight times then you will have a right to a full refund and/or to be placed on alternative flights: obtaining this will involve going through the agent, and again their lack of customer service could prove frustrating for you.

jpsartre

Check that your bookings are confirmed on the airline's website. If you paid for checked lugagge check that it has been added correctly. If your tickets have been issued it is unlikely that you will have any problems. The main issue with Kiwi.com is that people unwittingly book itineraries that involve "connections" on separate tickets.

Paddy_H

I have checked with one airline concerned and the bookings have been confirmed to my relief.
I'm grateful for the replies received. Many thanks.