Customers are putting themselves at risk of being overcharged and ripped-off when booking ‘cheap flights’ online says UK Consumer rights group Which?
A new Which? Travel investigation has revealed that some online travel agents are reeling holidaymakers in with ‘too-good-to-be-true’ deals, before ramping up prices.
They say these dodgy operators can often be small websites with access to large audiences through search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak.
So how does the scam work?
Which? says in some cases, prices go up during the booking process, while on others, customers have complained of being called the day after a booking only to be told that, if they don’t pay more money, their booking will be cancelled.
Ouch!
They refer to passenger Kam Hughes, who said she felt ‘blackmailed’ when Checknfly demanded an extra £79 the day after she booked a £415 return flight to Vancouver to see her sick mother.
The company claimed the cost had gone up by £160 while she was making her booking she told Which? that the low price was still being offered online 24 hours later.
Which? also heard from a Gotogate customer who bought a flight to India for almost £200 cheaper than anywhere else.
But when he got to the airport on the day he was due to fly out, he was told at the check-in desk that he did not have a seat on the plane.
Gotogate initially refused to help, meaning the passenger’s friend flew to India without him.
The company finally admitted making a mistake ‘due to human error’ and paid compensation after Which? made contact about the incident.
Which? Travel Editor Rory Boland had some solid advice for people who are concerned about getting ripped off.
“If you’re unsure, book direct with the airline or a well-established Travel Agent.”
Which? Travel Editor Rory Boland
If your client claims to have seen a “too-good-to-be-true” airfare online be sure to remind mind them that that’s exactly what it may be.
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