Left Without a Flight and Pushed Into Debt (theflightsfare.co.uk)

Mikan_pieces

I booked a Finnair flight with “The Flights Fare” (theflightsfare.co.uk) and had a terrible experience. After paying, it took 10 days before they finally issued my ticket—only after I began a PayPal dispute. Eventually, I discovered they had requested and received a refund from Finnair without my knowledge, leaving me with no flights just one week before departure. When I called, they offered me a new flight for £600 more.

I complained and requested a refund, but they told me it would take 10–12 days to process. With our trip rapidly approaching, we had no choice but to go into debt to book alternative flights. I applied for a refund from PayPal and to PayPals credit, they have refunded me the money, but I am still looking into other methods to recover the additional funds they received from Finnair that I had already paid for seats. This ordeal was both stressful and costly, and I cannot recommend “The Flights Fare” based on this experience.

Key Points
1. Ticketing Delays: Took 10 days to issue tickets initially.
2. Unauthorised Refund: They received a refund from Finnair without notifying me.
3. Last-Minute Stress: Less than a week before our trip, we had no valid tickets.
4. Costly Offer: They proposed new flights at £600 more.
5. Refund Delay: Claimed it would take 10–12 days, forcing us into debt to rebook.
6. Ongoing Recovery Efforts: Still trying to obtain a PayPal refund and exploring legal options for the extra money.

Based on this experience, I strongly advise caution if you decide to book with “The Flights Fare.”

DullGreyGuy

Mikan_pieces said:

I booked a Finnair flight with “The Flights Fare” (theflightsfare.co.uk) and had a terrible experience. After paying, it took 10 days before they finally issued my ticket—only after I began a PayPal dispute. Eventually, I discovered they had requested and received a refund from Finnair without my knowledge, leaving me with no flights just one week before departure. When I called, they offered me a new flight for £600 more.

I complained and requested a refund, but they told me it would take 10–12 days to process. With our trip rapidly approaching, we had no choice but to go into debt to book alternative flights. I applied for a refund from PayPal and to PayPals credit, they have refunded me the money, but I am still looking into other methods to recover the additional funds they received from Finnair that I had already paid for seats. This ordeal was both stressful and costly, and I cannot recommend “The Flights Fare” based on this experience.

Key Points
1. Ticketing Delays: Took 10 days to issue tickets initially.
2. Unauthorised Refund: They received a refund from Finnair without notifying me.
3. Last-Minute Stress: Less than a week before our trip, we had no valid tickets.
4. Costly Offer: They proposed new flights at £600 more.
5. Refund Delay: Claimed it would take 10–12 days, forcing us into debt to rebook.
6. Ongoing Recovery Efforts: Still trying to obtain a PayPal refund and exploring legal options for the extra money.

Based on this experience, I strongly advise caution if you decide to book with “The Flights Fare.”

Presumably they cancelled the flight because you raised the dispute with PayPal? Doesn't seem unreasonable action on their behalf. 

10 days for tickets is far from unheard of either, look at FlyerTalk and you'll see many people talking of waiting for weeks or even months to get tickets for flights booked far in advance. They're dealt with in priority order and its only if you are flying in the next couple of days you should get worried.

I wouldn't have booked with some random online agent but feels like you are the author of your own misfortune. 

mr_stripey

general rule is book directly with the airline. I'm sure these agents have their uses but I've never felt the need to use one. 

It doesn't help here, but might help you (and others) in future

Olinda99

agree - book with the airline rather than with some random .co.uk

however, if you do decide the latter then don't raise a dispute with your payment provider and then expect to fly !