AIRLINE BOOKING SCAM

ComplaintsScamsCheapoAir.com

Complaint

0
CHRISTINA
Country: United States
CHEAPOAIR.COM is definitely a very poor company and I strongly urge ANYONE reading this to NOT use there "service".

On July 9th I went to CheapOair.com to purchase a ticket and was provided with a Reservation ID and a booking number. Now, I also went directly to the airline's website to verify the prices, and they were accurate, BUT Cheapoair was offering a $10 instant coupon so I figured I would purchase the ticket through them and not directly with the airline itself.

A few hours go by and I did not receive my ticket so I called them. I was on hold for 15 minutes and then was "disconnected". I then called back and after another 30 minutes was told by a representative that they were "processing' it and I should have a ticket shortly. A few hours later I call back. I waited 30 minutes on hold and once the representative asked me "do you really need a morning flight"? At this point, I'm thinking something is obviously wrong. Apparently, they were unable to offer me the ticket that I had purchased and booked. I requested to speak to a manager and was transferred to SHAW. He would not provide a last name. He basically kept giving the run around and tried to continuously blame the airlines. I told him that if I had NOT used the CheapOAir service and directly booked with the airline that I would have had a ticket so what reason do I have to use his service ever again if they can't provide what they advertise and promote? He did not have an answer. I made him give me a written confirmation that I would not be charged. I also requested the name of a superior. He declined to give me any names so that I could formally complain and told me to send a generic email to their feedback@cheapair.com. I gave him ample notice that I was going to post my story anywhere I could to warn other consumers that this website does not provide the services it charges to the customer!!!!!!

Comments

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  • 0
    Sanjay
    | 1 reply
    They seemed to me a fraudulent website and I will never ever give my business to them. Here is my experience with them.

    About a month ago, I booked my ticket to India from Washington. Extremely competitive price and their authentically lookalike website enticed me to buy a ticket. So I bought a ticket and within an hour or two I got email confirmation with their booking#s and most importantly the E-ticket #. Went to Airline's website to verify booking using the e-ticket #, it was right there. I was quite happy.

    Next morning saw an email in my inbox from customer service of cheapoair stating - The Price requested for your itinerary has changed. Either pay the difference or you have right to cancel with full refund. First I thought this could be a mistake as I have the Airline's e-ticket confirmation. How can Airlines issue a e-ticket without verifying and conforming the price? Doesn't make sense. So I went to their website to check my booking itinerary and wow, I don't see my e-ticket# anymore there.  

    I immediately call their ticketing dept. @ 888-562-3395 and told this guy about everything. He said that's right we can't honor that price anymore. I said fine I'll take the refund. So he processed the refund saying will go back to your card in 2-3 business days. Then an hour after, I got a booking cancellation email saying credit will take up to 1-2 billing cycles. So I called back and lady on the phone said, it can take up to 8-10 business days. At this point I realized that this company is a scam and learned about hundreds of complaints online with dissatisfied customers like me. I got my refund a week after so that was piece of mind.

    But it makes me think that company like this is still in service and everyday as I try to follow them, posting the exactly same fair that they offered me with same flights, same date selection and to-from airports, every single day. How is that possible? There is definitely something not right.
    • 0
      Hlm8791 replies to Sanjay
      Great job complaining! I hope for the same resolution. My credit card company will be very happy to help me if I have any problems. I am armed with lots of emails!!
  • 0
    Sara
    Please read complaints about CheapOair before deciding to book flight with this Company. Had I done that I wouldn't get my self in deep trouble. Now I am stuck I lost my money and can't even book another flight because I don't know if they return my money and my visa is maxed out.I booked a ticket at very cheap price compaired to the usual for the season and received e-mail conformation after charging my visa. over night they sold the ticket and told me to add more money as the price has changed. I told them I have locked the price when I payed for it . They put me on hold by saying  let me talk to my supervisor. The call center is in India- what a nightmare they have no integrity at all . Their name says it all! buyers be aware! better to go with some reputable company like expedia and pay a little more. Please pray for me to get this money Back as I have used all my saving to visit my ailing realative....what a scam.I would have to take them to court anf fight it. I hope someone read this before dealing with this company.
  • 0
    Omer
    I am diappointed by CheapOair.I Booked my air ticket online.They charged my Visa and sent me confirmation e-mail ASAP.It seems Overnight my ticket was sold to another customer with higher bid. I got a call from them to tell me that they were not able to issue me a ticket as there is a price change. Asked me to add another 400 USD. I explained by saying that is not my probleme as I have locked the pice when you charge my visa 12 hrs ago. They insist they can't help me! forget how many times I was kept on hold from their call centers in India. Now I can't book my flight with out getting my refund.I don't think I will get my money back. please advise what next step to take as I am very stressed out! my family need this money ,it is money I saved to see my dad who is sick  with my kids which i have't get a chance to visit for years.
    My booking # is 9565968
    Asking all your prayers!
  • 0
    Shane
    Im having a unpleasant experience with cheapoair. I have a flight credit and I have the emails to proof this but they continue to give me the run around. Im serving in Afghanistan and their policy states they will honor military under special circumstances. I sent them Military orders months ago and now they claim they dont have them. A customer rep asked me to send them again, he said he would send me an email so I could attach the orders I already sent, but I have yet to receive said email. They have also failed to mention CEP waiver: Compassion Exception Policy waiver that is stated on their website. If I dont get a flight credit or a refund, I will be taking legal action. I encourage others to join together in a possible class action suit, if COA doesnt change their ways.
  • 0
    CheapOair
    Please forward your 7 digit booking number so I can further investigate into this. If you received a eticket number as you mentioned, I'm not sure why there was a problem. There is more to this concern, and I would like to research it further, and also verify your refund status. Email to randrews@cheapoair.com.
    Place blog in the subject line
  • 0
    cheapoair.com
    Sara, please email me your 7 digit booking number, I will certainly assist you in getting the credit back to your charge card.  However, if the reservation was not completed, the money will go back within 72 hours, it's only a pending authorization at this time.
    randrews@cheapoair.com

    place blog in the subject line
  • 0
    cheapoair
    | 1 reply
    Shane, I do apologize for the inconvenience. Please forward me your 7 digit booking number so I can look into what is happening. Email to:
    randrews@cheapoair.com
    place BLOG in the subject line.
    • 0
      Mohammed replies to cheapoair
      I booked a flight from nyc to los angelos
      On ur website and a transaction been made but I received nothing from the flight info as i did nothing just giving you the969.40 $
  • 0
    cheapoair.com
    Omar, I have looked into your reservation and we tried 4 times to contact you via email and left voice mails for your credit card verification. It wasn't until 24 hours later when you responded to emails and calls, at that time the fare had increased. We even changed the email accounts per your request so that you would get our correspondence.  We didn't sell your ticket to the highest bidder, the booking was no longer valid due to the lateness of you contacting us. The fares are not guaranteed until the reservation is processed and tickets issued. There are ticketing time limits on all fares, and not contacting us immediately caused the fare to expire. The refund has been processed back to your credit card. We did try very hard to reach you, but was unsuccessful within the time frame.
  • 0
    yanko vasilev
    I booked tickets online for me, my wife and 1 year old infant with TravelOne/CheoponAir. The flight is for Apr 12/2012 from Tampa to Sofia via Miami and Madrid. On the confirmation email the last name of my wife was spelled incorrectly - they misplaced two letters of her last name. I didn't notice this immediately but about a week later. I called in and they said that will do their best to have the airline make the change. 3 weeks later 11/30 they called and left a message to contact them, I called and was advised that the airline BA denied the change. When I asked to find out more about what options were there - get a refund, reissue ticket, I was placed on a 40 minutes hold and the connection dropped. I spent 2 hours on phone with them on December 1st. Only one agent stayed with me the entire time but she said that I need to call back because the airline wasn't opened yet. The call always drops when I am hold. I am in a really tight place because I need to fly together with my wife and one year old who is w/out seat. This mistake is messing up all of our plans for pleasant vacation.
  • 0
    cheapoair
    Dear Sir, I would be glad to assist you further with this. Please forward your 7 digit booking number to:

    randrews@cheapoair.com
    place BLOG in the subject line
  • 0
    Omer
    Thank you so much for addressing my problem and showing the light at the end of the tunnel. at least there is something to be hopeful for if the money is refunded. It is expected it will take a couple of days to show up on my Visa statement. However in the future it better to explain to your customers the fair your are quoting is subject to change within certain time period and will be honored if the delay is due to processing from your end .As it is off customers hand you should take some accountability and have the integrity to keep your words to reach workable solution for both COA and all your customers. This prevents unecessary complaints on many websites that will give your new custemers a false impression of your standing/rating in business.I realy tought the way things were handled especialy from your call centers in india it was some kind of fradulant activity goning on. At one point I thought I need to report to better business Berue in USA to ask the legitimay of the COA and file complaints.
  • 0
    RCobb
    CHEAPOAIR IS A SCAM OPERATION!       CHEAPOAIR IS A RIP-OFF OPERATION!           CHEAPOAIR WILL RIP YOU OFF!

    YES, I  once again tried to use the CREDIT offered above by CHEAPOAIR - THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE CREDIT!

                THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE CREDIT!             THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE CREDIT!

    My last attempt to get them to honor the credit promised In their reply above resulted in a phone call from the CheapoAir office.  

    I will return the call today to see what they want and report it here.
  • 0
    CheapOair
    Customer was asked to forward a letter to us and we would assist in a refund for him by working with Copa airlines. He replied he will do nothing! according to the customer he didn't get an email confirmation from us or etkt, so he called copa airlines. According to the conversation Mr. Cobb stated that the airline talked him into canceling his booking that was made with us, and rebook with them, therefore, the customer has two bookings. He also mentioned that he has read online reviews about Copa and they do this type of thing consistently.  Ultimately, when you buy an airline ticket, no matter who you pay, the money goes directly to the airline to pay for your seat on the plane, the fuel it takes to get your there, and their employees, the online travel companies do not keep this money. Therefore, the refund must be obtained from the airline. This customer wouldn't provide any documentation to support his requet for a claim, therefore, copa refused to refund. Not sure why he hasn't contacted Copa airlines to rebook these flights. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, but we also need the customers cooperation.
  • 0
    Omer
    Thak you again for responding promptly both via e-mail and phone to resolve this issue. I realy can't thank enough Call center and Compliance Manager Ms. Anna-Lisa for her extraordinary, courteous and professional assistance who worked deligently minute by minute to staightnen this out. I have also confirmed that my money is refunded. She even convinced me to get my ticket from COA.I can now travel as planned. As for COA you need more employees like Anna-Lisa who listen actively and reach sound resolution...............Thank you a bunch! and Happy Holidays!
  • 0
    Croatoan
    Spent a full day looking for the right ticket at the right price to see my family in Europe this Christmas. When I went to book, a ticket originally advertised as under $800 (INCLUDING taxes, fees, and other charges) suddenly became $3000.  Customer service simply said it takes their website time to update.  Well, so since it updated on the booking page, for me already, clearly when I got back to the search page this new, higher, and allegedly "correct" price will be displayed, right?  Wrong, still the same old wrong price.  Additionally, other tickets I then went on to book (as an experiment) similarly jumped massively in price just as I was getting ready to confirm them.  Wasted a ton of my time, time that could have been spent looking for tickets from a REAL company and/or doing something else productive.  I fail to see how this sort of practice is even legal.  Luckily, a few of my relatives are lawyers, another couple are FBI officers, so, in addition to reporting these criminals to the Better Business Bureau, I'm going to see what my folks in law and law enforcement can do, if anything.
  • 0
    cheapoair
    Croatoan, in order to get a better understanding of what transpired, if you could forward the details of your search that would be great. However, I would also like to mention that the first page the price $800.00 "DOES NOT INCLUDE TAXES".  The price you see is the base price, and clearly states, includes fees EX tax. So once you select your flights, and book, the next page will give you the total fare with taxes. In order to determine if the flights you had selected where in fact soldout, I would need the travel dates, and the city pairs you selected. You also would of gotten a soldout message along with a promo code to use on your next purchase. If none of these happened, than it looks to be that there is a misunderstanding on the information you reviewed.
  • 0
    wrence Shropshire
    I booked a flight for 11/15/11 due to a family death I FOR A DAY, Later no refunded no contact no flight  i see they got a lot of others like myself i whish i had read this before i made this transaction
  • 0
    active duty army
    my daughter was looking at cheap o air to get me a ticket to fly home for christmas, when she chose the flight, a message appeared that said sorry no seats available. she had already entered the card # because the addvertisement said seats were available. she then logged out and called me and said they had no seats. i went thru another agency and booked my flight. i then see a month later on the credit card bill that cheap o air had charged me for the flight that no seats were avail for. they are saying i booked the flight and the most they can do is give credit for later in the year.THIS IS A SCAM  and im in the process of reporting it to the post commander here in alaska and also ive sent a message to the sec of defense, in order to make cheap o air off limits to the military and military dependents to use them.
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