TravelMood - Buyer beware !

hellofreebies

SnowHarp wrote: »

My folks wanted to reschedule but even that was denied to them unless they paid more money. It isn't an honourable game.

that was the same option offered to us and we took that option to reschedule at a cost...we was asked to pay the current rates for the new dates we wanted which ended up being £100 x 3 more, cathay pacific didnt charge us a admin charge so thumbs up to them.

i hope you get a result.

TomsMom

Just want to add to this by saying that we have used Travelmood on a few occasions. We have found their service to be excellent, along with their prices. They even gave advice as to which route to take (for a long haul holiday) for the best price.

We were asked if we wanted travel insurance and declined as we had our own (obviously works out cheaper doing it yourself). It's only common sense to take out your insurance immediately to cover any eventuality which could lead to cancellation.

As with all air fares, the earlier you book the cheaper the price, leave it till close to the time and you pay more.

We paid the initial deposit by debit card (no charge) and sent a cheque for the remainder (again no charge). If you want the security and peace of mind that paying by credit card brings (which we may do if we were booking with a company we knew nothing about, then we knew we'd be covered if company went bust or anything) then you accept there is a c.c. charge.

I sympathise with your parents' position but you pays your money and takes your choice. Please don't blame Travelmood.

SnowHarp

It looks as though this thread has now run its course. I want to thank everyone because your replies have been constructive and thoughtful. Hats off to you all. It is appreciated that you took the time to comment because it did help me put this situation into perspective. You know what they say about a problem shared... Thanks.

photome

SnowHarp wrote: »

It looks as though this thread has now run its course. I want to thank everyone because your replies have been constructive and thoughtful. Hats off to you all. It is appreciated that you took the time to comment because it did help me put this situation into perspective. You know what they say about a problem shared... Thanks.

I was going to add to some of the comments already posted, but I think you have heard them all now and then I read your reply which is very gracious, unlike a lot who would have got very defensive and angry at posts that dont agree with you. well done

asea

Snowharp - is it possible that your parents have travel insurance included with their bank accounts? Only asking as I see quite a few accounts now come with free travel insurance.

arctanck

That's the downside with buying flight tickets on the Internet, as opposed to buying from more traditional travel agents. Buying from Travelmood is like buying directly from airlines, as they both charged you the full amount immediately, and then issue you a flight ticket within 24 hours. Having said that, I'm surprised that the airline or Travelmood has such strict cancellation policy, as normally the passenger is only liable for a set amount should you decide to cancel the trip for whatever reason, say 14 days before departure date. Snowharp, we'll be grateful if you can indicate which airline's flight tickets was that, so that we may want to avoid that airline in the future. If you still cannot get any money from Travelmood or the airline, you can tell your parents to ring up the credit card company and try a "chargeback". A bit drastic, but I guess you have to try everything. All the best to you and your parents.

Incapuppy

artanck, as far as I am aware, some of what you have posted is untrue.

Of course you can buy air tickets that are much more flexible with regards to cancellation/amendment conditions but you will pay extra for the privilege - it matters not whether you buy this ticket online or troop down to your local travel agent on the high street.

richardw

Where is the travel insurance money?

arctanck

Incapupy, I think I have not been entirely clear with what I meant by the downside. But I'm surprised that you have jumped in the conclusion so quickly What I originally wanted to say was that rates you find from sites like Travelmood is not always the cheapest, if you know which travel agent (not high street one) to look for, for different destinations. I thought about amending but couldn't be bothered, and you found me out.

Consider the case when somone wants to buy a flight ticket 6 months before departure. With some relatively traditional travel agents (need not be from high street), you can pay a set amount (e.g. £50) to reserve the ticket, until say 75 days before departure that you will be required to make the full payment. The travel agent will hold the ticket until you make full payment, before issuing you your ticket. Is it necessarily cheaper to buy from Internet site like Travelmood? Absolutely not. So what's the priviledge you get from buying from them? That you can pay immediately by your credit card online? To be honest it's probably not fair to use Travelmood as an example, as I don't know whether or not they can allow you to reserve flight ticket in advance by paying a deposit as well. But there are some who don't (like Expedia?). Anyway you can find friendly travel agents who can do you a deal at almost the same rate, just that they don't cut as much profit as big travel agents do that's what I want to say.

TomsMom

arctanck wrote: »

To be honest it's probably not fair to use Travelmood as an example, as I don't know whether or not they can allow you to reserve flight ticket in advance by paying a deposit as well

Yes, Travelmood do allow deposit on booking and balance later. We have used Travelmood on two occasions. Booked the flights well in advance (April for a January flight to Oz). Paid a deposit at the time. Balance paid 10 weeks before departure. They were the cheapest at the time for Emirates, can't comment on other airlines, and Travelmood's service was very good.

We actually phoned them to book initially but they kept in touch by e-mail and sent e-tickets.