Last minute.com query

CactusPlant2014

Hi there, I wondered if anyone could help. I booked some flights for January on Monday evening via last minute.com (the airline is Emirates). After I booked I realised I had made a huge error as I’ve managed to use my son’s name (as opposed to my husband’s)! for the second passenger. I’ve used all correct DOB etc. I paid extra with Lastmin.com (£80 total) to have a flexible ticket which would allow me to make changes if necessary and also have priority email assistance with lastmin.com. I am more than happy to pay admin fees to correct the name, and realise I should never try and multi task whilst flight booking again!!! I am unable to reach Lastmin.com. The phone is just a generic voice message. I can’t message them via Facebook. I have emailed to no avail. I spoke with Emirates who advised me to speak with lastmin.com. Emirates also advised that they don’t usually authorise name changes but ‘might’ in this instance as it was a genuine mistake. I have tried to tweet lastmin.com and have now realised that absolutely no one can reach them!! I could not modify my booking within my bookings page on Lastmin.com so requested a cancellation quote in the vain hope I’d be offered some choices etc but I have just received a generic ‘we’ll eventually come back to you email.” I also don’t actually want to cancel the flight! I do appreciate they are super busy due to Covid but I am so frustrated as I just want to find out if the name change is possible, plus I have paid extra to supposedly be able to reach them! I am debating calling my card company to see if I can claim back via them and rebooking their flight. Any pointers / tips at all please?! (Yes I realise this is basically my own fault and I should have paid more attention when booking). Thank you! 

Alan_Bowen

Without any fault on the travel agents side, your credit card won't be any help as they only assist when the company you have booked with has broken its side of the bargain. Every online agency is in a similar mess as LM, just look on this site to see how many people have had the same problem but if you choose to book things yourself, you effectively become the travel agent and if you make a mistake you generally have to pay for it.
The problem is online agents simply do not employ sufficient human beings to deal with a situation like this and I am far from certain asking for a cancellation quote was a good idea as that is the opportunity for them to make money by charging cancellation fees. If they do not respond, put a chargeback request in for the £80 'additional service fee' ( never seen one of those before apart from a Swedish online agency for which it seemed to make no difference) because that might get their attention. Was there no specific email given for your special assistance, as otherwise how would anyone know you were due it when they receive the email. which presumably will arrive in the inbox of a member of staff working from home?