FlySharp Travel Agency are scamming me

n4dz

I needed some help concerning  a travel agent called Flysharp which is owned by Southall Travel.  

I booked a holiday with them (flights only) and flew with Turkish Airlines.

*My original return flight was supposed to be on 4th April but was cancelled due to COVID-19.

*I wasnt told the flight had been cancelled by Flysharp until I enquired with them a few days before the flight. I was told that they would reschedule for 5th May and whilst an airline date change penalty wasn't applicable, the fare and tax difference would apply which worked out to about £98pp. There's two of us so that's £196.00.

*I quoted Flysharp their own terms and conditions which state:

Flight Changes

Should your flight be cancelled your rights and remedies will be governed by the airline's conditions of carriage. As a result you may be entitled to: 

(a) Carriage on another flight with the same airline without additional costs; 

(b) Re-routing to your destination with another carrier 

without additional costs; 

(c) Receiving a full refund; or 

(d) Some other right or remedy.

*In addition, when I contacted Turkish Airlines about the charge, I was directed to their website which states there is no additional charge by the airline. I did point this out to the adviser from Flysharp who wasn't having none of it telling me I had to pay, which I did.

*Anyway.... the flight for 5th May was also cancelled by the airline and no contact from Flysharp about this. 

*So I directly contacted the airline and they agreed to take over the management of the ticket. They booked me to return 5th June.
In the meantime I requested a chargeback from my bank for the £196.00 and was succesful - no challenge to it.

*My 5th June fligt got cancelled by the airline because of COVID-19 and then they rescheduled my ticket for 15th August.

*A few days ago when I contacted the airline they advised me that the agents had requested my return ticket to be placed in 'refund status' which meant I can't fly on 15th August.

*I followed this up with Flysharp requesting they cancel their request for refund so I can fly but was initially told that I'd have to contact my bank to tell them to reverse the chargeback before they discussed rebooking or refund.

*I offered to pay them the fee on the basis there are no further charges to have my tickets booked to which they responded by saying they had requested a refund of my return ticket because of the chargeback, and once that was investigated and settled, they would refund me but wouldn't reissue a ticket.

Pretty gobsmacked that I've been held to ransom because I had a successful chargeback.

I've lodged a complaint with both Flysharp and the airline and it looks like I may well have to fork out money to buy return tickets home, but is there any useful help/suggestions you folks can give me around what I can do ideally to get my tickets rebooked without forking out or get my money back?

Caz3121

I am not sure what the media coverage was like in Turkey but on the 23rd March the UK government advised

• all British travellers abroad who are usually based in the UK advised to return now 
• international travel is becoming highly limited with the further closure of air routes, land borders and domestic restrictions introduced daily 
• British travellers should contact their tour operator or airline now. Commercial flight options are still available at present

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-advises-all-british-travellers-to-return-to-the-uk-now

Did you try and get an earlier flight when this was happening? (it was almost certain at that point you would have no flight on the 4th April)

[Deleted User]

I can't understand any of this.   Do you mean you are still in Turkey?   and have been since March?    You have also requested and received a refund of your flight?   If so can't you just rebook a flight when you can?   Sorry am obviously missing something.

n4dz

Hi 
My flight was to Pakistan.
Was due to return April but flight's were cancelled so I aporoached airline directly who took over the ticket
Most recent flight was booked to return in August but travel agent cancelled it by requesting refund from airline without my knowledge.

Hope this makes sense

Caz3121

Assuming you now wish to return to the UK - at this point your best bet would be to buy a new ticket direct from an airline.
You may be entitled to a refund of the unused return leg of your Turkish flight - however that will go to Flysharp (who will deduct their fees before passing it to you)