Emirates / Travel Trolley - name correction

jd87

My parents have booked some flights on Emirates through some dodgy website called Travel Trolley. I don't know why they used this website rather than Emirates directly. They're not very good with computers and I think this was a result of just clicking the first link that came up on Google or SkyScanner or something. They can't remember what happened.

Anyway they just realised they spelt my mum's name wrong. For sake of argument, let's say it is supposed to be Isabella but they put Isabela (that's not my mum's real name but the type of mistake is the same). Travel Trolley want £68 to fix it. I've appealed to Emirates' good nature via Twitter but they're not having any of it and say only the agent can sort it.

It just seems so unfair for such a tiny stupid mistake. Does anyone know of a communication route that might get this sorted directly with Emirates? I assume it's too big a risk to just play dumb and hope nobody at the airport spots the error?

Caz3121

because they booked through an agent, the airline has no control of the booking until 24 hours the flight so they are correct that they will need to deal with their agent.
I would just pay the money and get it sorted...and book direct with the airline in future (the advantage being that many (including Emirates) offer a free 24 hour cancellation so, if errors are spotted within the 24 hours which does not apply when booking through an agent

bigadaj

It's often the case that the agents on skyscanner or google are a few quid cheaper than booking direct, presumably they're effectively giving back some of their commission to the customer.

So it may well be the case that the actual price paid could have been lower than booking direct, though i certainly wouldn't recommend it.

Easiest to pay the fee as it at least gives peace of mind, turning up and being refused boarding would be worth a bit more than £68.

Voyager2002

Was the spelling mistake in the first name? That may not matter.

Anyway, I suggest telephoning Emirates: I have found their telephone sales people in the UK to be extremely helpful, and with a lot of authority to sort things out. Or they could join the frequent flyer programme 'Skywards' and then talk with Skywards staff, who again tend to be helpful and effective. They could at least give advice on whether the spelling mistake would really matter.

jd87

I think they probably saved no more than £10-20 booking through this agent. Enough to get them to the top of the Skyscanner results and trick my parents into booking through them though.

I'm really disappointed Emirates wouldn't help via Twitter. It is a very minor barely noticeable mistake in the first name. Don't boarding passes only print with the first initial?

I will look into the Skywards option. Really resent them having to pay £68 for such a thing. Leaving it seems so risky though. If it was anywhere other than Dubai...

agrinnall

jd87 wrote: »

I think they probably saved no more than £10-20 booking through this agent. Enough to get them to the top of the Skyscanner results and trick my parents into booking through them though.

It's not in any way a trick, it's simply a marketing tactic to gain them additional customers. As it happens, if your parents hadn't made a spelling mistake they would still be rejoicing at having saved a few quid over booking direct with Emirates.

jd87

There were enough Emirates logos and adverts on the page to make my parents think they were booking "with Emirates". I'm talking about elderly parents who can barely send an email without help, which is why I'd have thought Emirates could show some compassion and decency.

bigadaj

jd87 wrote: »

There were enough Emirates logos and adverts on the page to make my parents think they were booking "with Emirates". I'm talking about elderly parents who can barely send an email without help, which is why I'd have thought Emirates could show some compassion and decency.

But it's not Emirates charging them, do you expect Emirates to pay travel trolley?

It's not a transparent business but they've done nothing illegal, I suppose the answer is that they need to get someone to help them when booking things online.

richardw

I'd sort it out with Emirates 24 hours before departure.

budgetflyer

jd87 wrote: »

There were enough Emirates logos and adverts on the page to make my parents think they were booking "with Emirates". I'm talking about elderly parents who can barely send an email without help, which is why I'd have thought Emirates could show some compassion and decency.

Complete nonsence. Unless Emirates have changed their colours to blue and yellow there is no similarity between the sites.
As for barely do email, they can browse Skyscanner click thru and book flights. Pay online. To me. they are hardly internet stupid.
They made a name error. Its easily done. The contract between Emirates and Travel Trolley (Southall Travel. a well established agency) means Emirates can't make any changes unless n thru the agent.
Its a sore lesson. But, £68 can be swallowed up in Dubai no problem

Londoner_1

jd87 wrote: »

My parents have booked some flights on Emirates through some dodgy website called Travel Trolley. I don't know why they used this website rather than Emirates directly. They're not very good with computers and I think this was a result of just clicking the first link that came up on Google or SkyScanner or something. They can't remember what happened.

Anyway they just realised they spelt my mum's name wrong. For sake of argument, let's say it is supposed to be Isabella but they put Isabela (that's not my mum's real name but the type of mistake is the same). Travel Trolley want £68 to fix it. I've appealed to Emirates' good nature via Twitter but they're not having any of it and say only the agent can sort it.

It just seems so unfair for such a tiny stupid mistake. Does anyone know of a communication route that might get this sorted directly with Emirates? I assume it's too big a risk to just play dumb and hope nobody at the airport spots the error?

I have used Travel Trolley before, you just need to phone them up to correct it.