Omegaflightstore.com - Bogus?

wtmr

I recently booked some flights through flight comparison website Momondo.co.uk, having seen them recommended by Moneysavingexpert. I booked some well-priced flights through omegaflightstore.com after being redirected through Momondo. It stated on omega flight store's website that they are ATOL protected, and ABTA members, and provided registration numbers.

I tried calling them today about our booking and after several attempts received no answer. I then looked them up on ATOL and ABTA to discover that both the registration numbers they have provided are false.

I have contacted the airline and am waiting to hear back to confirm if we do indeed have a booking. At the moment I am unclear if we have just been completely scammed and whether we even have flight tickets at all.

What should I do? And should this be something that moneysavingexpert are drawing to our attention?? The only reason I booked through these avenues in the first place was because I trust moneysavingexpert.

photome

momondo are only a comparison site so should direct you to multiple agents of which you are free to use any.


It is odd that Omega travel Atol number does appear to be wrong and their ABTA number shows as Milburn travel at Omega house so probably the same company.


When you say well priced flights , what was the difference in cost to booking direct with the airline?



they may not have been live prices in which case expect a phone call to tell you that you owe more money

Caz3121

I assume this is the text you are blaming
Momondo* for its flight data info. We like Momondo for its nifty tool that tells you the cheapest and most expensive dates around your flight,
that is indeed what comparison sites are good for.

they then show you adverts from the airline and third party ticket sellers. How did you select which agent to book with? (many of them are truly terrible) where did you check reviews or did you just pick the cheapest and hope for the best?
I would advise people to indeed use comparison sites for finding the routes/times that suit then book direct with the airline. (why involve a third party with extra t&cs and admin fees?)
there is a thread here - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k6485993-Omegaflightstore-Air_Travel.html
If it looked a bargain price it is likely it didn't exist as they don't have live pricing....although they would generally contact you within 48 hours to ask for more money

Westin

Omega Travel had their ATOL licence suspended by the CAA on 5 September. Since that date they have been unable to sell ATOL protected flights and I think you will find their website is not taking any new bookings.

If you booked prior to the licence suspension you will still have ATOL protection if you bought flight + another travel item. If you had cover you would have been sent an ATOL certificate shortly after booking. If you purchased just a flight then you may not of had this cover.

As far as I know they are currently still an ABTA member.

Reading between the lines I suspect some shenanigans behind the scenes. The company lodged a change of name with Companies House on 31 August to Milburn Travel. There is one company director, based in China.

Do you have an airline booking reference number? If so it is possible that your booking has been made and ticketed and all will be well. Fingers crossed.

jpsartre

They're not bogus but they're your run of the mill shoddy 3rd party booking site where after-sale customer care is a low priority. Have you not received a booking confirmation with an airline PNR?

wtmr

jpsartre wrote: »

They're not bogus but they're your run of the mill shoddy 3rd party booking site where after-sale customer care is a low priority. Have you not received a booking confirmation with an airline PNR?

Yes - I have a PNR number and am waiting to hear back from the airline directly that our names are indeed on the flight booking. Thanks - the above is reassuring

wtmr

Westin wrote: »

Omega Travel had their ATOL licence suspended by the CAA on 5 September. Since that date they have been unable to sell ATOL protected flights and I think you will find their website is not taking any new bookings.

If you booked prior to the licence suspension you will still have ATOL protection if you bought flight + another travel item. If you had cover you would have been sent an ATOL certificate shortly after booking. If you purchased just a flight then you may not of had this cover.

As far as I know they are currently still an ABTA member.

Reading between the lines I suspect some shenanigans behind the scenes. The company lodged a change of name with Companies House on 31 August to Milburn Travel. There is one company director, based in China.

Do you have an airline booking reference number? If so it is possible that your booking has been made and ticketed and all will be well. Fingers crossed.

You did the same research I did in terms of companies house etc. - one of the things that made me nervous. The ATOL thing makes sense if they have had their licence suspended too - although they do seem to be taking bookings still and advertising they are ATOL registered.

Thanks very much for the input, as you say, fingers crossed!

jpsartre

wtmr wrote: »

Yes - I have a PNR number and am waiting to hear back from the airline directly that our names are indeed on the flight booking. Thanks - the above is reassuring

If you have a PNR you will almost always be able to look up your booking on the airline's website. Have you tried this?

beardymouse

Omega Flight Store are a bunch of crooks. Avoid them!

Currently trying to get a refund after my partner's mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Even though the tickets are refundable, their response is "we don't have the licence to process refunds" which is a crock!

Making a stressful situation needlessly more stressful

Caz3121

it is unusual for third parties to sell refundable tickets (they normally sell the cheaper non-refundable ones) You should certainly get a refund as per the ticket rules which would often be some taxes then claim the out of pocket costs from travel insurance.
Which airline were you booked on?

Alan_Bowen

As of September 14, it appears their call centre in India is closed and has been for nearly 2 weeks, the website cannot accept any bookings and IATA have suspended their licence since mid-August. This means the chance of getting any answer to a question let alone an outstanding refund is nil and you should contact your card issuer and make a claim. They have been selling flights at crazily low prices, a situation that many in the industry thought would lead to failure, and as of this moment, that appears to be the case