Non Refundable Flight

Caz3121

Hola365 said:

I rang the airline and they said the tickets are booked and genuine. But others online have said that at some point before the flight date they withdraw the tickets and make off with the money. Can they actually do that? 

Your situation is not the same as the OP never got a ticket and you have.

what were the fare rules of the ticket? many are non-refundable so if they have paid the airline for the ticket, cancelling would only get them possibly some taxes back, not all your money.
Currently you have been provided with what you paid for...a flight ticket. Just keep checking your booking on the airline website. Until the actual flight date there is no action to take.

RefluentBeans

Hola365 said:

Hi, was this situation ever resolved? I’m having the same issue with this company and I’m convinced they are a scam because the mobile phone number they provide on their website is some random guy who says he’s been inundated with complaints as they used his number without permission. However, I rang the airline and they said the tickets are booked and genuine. But others online have said that at some point before the flight date they withdraw the tickets and make off with the money. Can they actually do that? The airline seemed unsure. My credit card company are currently saying they can’t do anything because the goods have been provided so I’m not sure where that leaves me other than praying! I’ve heard some people say they got lawyers involved and got a refund so I may go down that route but I’m hoping against hope to find someone with experience of this company who actually ended up on the plane!

Out of interest why have you searched the name now? I can see before making the purchase, and I can see if something goes wrong/they ask for more money - but currently they have apparently provided the service? Just wondering if there’s something in the communication with you that has set something off that’s prompted you to search their name? 

Hola365

Perhaps I should’ve explained my situation in more detail. This company is fraudulently putting up super cheap prices on comparison websites to hook people in and then calling a couple of days later and saying that price doesn’t include baggage (a lie, as corroborated by the airline) and that there may not even be room on that flight. They then give you an ultimatum that you must pay considerably more money for baggage and a definite seat or risk losing what you have already spent as the tickets are non-refundable. They say you have to decide rapidly as they can’t hold this more expensive “upgrade” for long, meaning the majority of people pay out of fear, ending up with a ticket that is considerably more expensive than other options on the original price comparison site. Now how can you trust a company with such ethics? This amounts to a scam, which throws into doubt whether the tickets issued will ever get you onto the plane (others have said they got to the airport to find their tickets had been withdrawn). The police and lawyers have confirmed this is misrepresentation and extorsion so I expect to see some action against this company in the future. Beware.

eskbanker

Hola365 said:

The police and lawyers have confirmed this is misrepresentation and extorsion so I expect to see some action against this company in the future. Beware.

The police won't be in any sort of position to confirm that, but if you've engaged a lawyer who's prepared to take this on for you then let us know how you get on....

Hola365

The police are indeed in a position to confirm that and they are investigating as of yesterday. And my lawyer is already on the case. We’ll see what happens.

Wonka_2

Hola365 said:

The police are indeed in a position to confirm that and they are investigating as of yesterday. And my lawyer is already on the case. We’ll see what happens.

Would be useful if you could share the crime/reference number and the force involved so others in the same position could add their issues to the case

Pollycat

Hola365 said:

Perhaps I should’ve explained my situation in more detail. This company is fraudulently putting up super cheap prices on comparison websites to hook people in and then calling a couple of days later and saying that price doesn’t include baggage (a lie, as corroborated by the airline) and that there may not even be room on that flight. They then give you an ultimatum that you must pay considerably more money for baggage and a definite seat or risk losing what you have already spent as the tickets are non-refundable. They say you have to decide rapidly as they can’t hold this more expensive “upgrade” for long, meaning the majority of people pay out of fear, ending up with a ticket that is considerably more expensive than other options on the original price comparison site. Now how can you trust a company with such ethics? This amounts to a scam, which throws into doubt whether the tickets issued will ever get you onto the plane (others have said they got to the airport to find their tickets had been withdrawn). The police and lawyers have confirmed this is misrepresentation and extorsion so I expect to see some action against this company in the future. Beware.

How did you find this company?

There are lots of similar companies complained about on Tripadvisor, including eDreams and Kiwi.

Did you check the ticket price with the airline before booking with this 3rd party company?

Do you actually have a booking with this 3rd party company?
If you do (and it sounds like you have), how does the price you paid compare with what you would have paid direct to the airline?

One big problem that people can have with booking with a 3rd party is that the airline will often refuse to discuss the booking with you as you are not their customer - the 3rd party is.
So if you need to make a change that might be free with the airline, the 3rd party company will often charge for that change - it will be in their T&Cs.

Are you taking legal action against this company or are you expecting someone else to take action in the future?

RefluentBeans

I hope the matter gets resolved for you - if there’s criminal investigation going on, that tends to take precedence over civil claims, so unfortunately may be a while before you hear back. 

eskbanker

Hola365 said:

The police are indeed in a position to confirm that and they are investigating as of yesterday. And my lawyer is already on the case. We’ll see what happens.

If the police believe there's enough evidence to warrant a criminal investigation, as opposed to treating this as a civil matter, then:

1. They can't confirm anything, but could ultimately refer the case for prosecution, for a court to decide.
2. There's no point in you engaging a lawyer.

Pollycat

Hola365 said:
The police are indeed in a position to confirm that and they are investigating as of yesterday. And my lawyer is already on the case. We’ll see what happens.

Has the situation changed since you posted yesterday when you said:

Hola365 said:

Hi, was this situation ever resolved? I’m having the same issue with this company and I’m convinced they are a scam because the mobile phone number they provide on their website is some random guy who says he’s been inundated with complaints as they used his number without permission. However, I rang the airline and they said the tickets are booked and genuine. But others online have said that at some point before the flight date they withdraw the tickets and make off with the money. Can they actually do that? The airline seemed unsure. My credit card company are currently saying they can’t do anything because the goods have been provided so I’m not sure where that leaves me other than praying! I’ve heard some people say they got lawyers involved and got a refund so I may go down that route but I’m hoping against hope to find someone with experience of this company who actually ended up on the plane!

What happened in the last 24 hours for you to have spoken to the police and discussed it with your lawyer?