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

  • 0
    Perfecto
    | 4 replies
    CheapOair is a rip off how other travel sites can put a link to them, in my opinion are abetting them. They are a bait and switch company. They need to be put in jail for fraud and in my experience and from reading other posting it SAS airlines is one of their main partners.
    • 0
      Hester replies to Perfecto
      | 3 replies
      And yes they are a "bait-and-switch" company.  Purchased tickets through them in July of 2011 to fly direct to a town in British Columbia.  The day following my purchase (actually 10 hours later), I received a call from a customer service rep' of Cheapo Air who told me that the airline would not accept my reservation and I would have to fly first to Vancouver, stay overnight and catch a plane to my final destination the next day.  For a slightly higher charge, I could get my original reservation.  I said "No, cancel my reservation and cancel my credit card charge."  The reservation was cancelled, but it took over a month to reverse the credit card charge.  Stay away from this company; they are disgraceful and dishonest.  And I too ask why other travel sites can validate them.
      • 0
        gary replies to Hester
        | 2 replies
        i bought several tickets from this company before and never had problem, they always send me ticket numbers on time, and if you take a look at the confirmation page it clearly says  that prices might change at anytime and at that point buyer will be opted in to get a full refund...
        • 0
          Another robot liar replies to gary
          too funny. You obviously work for this company.
        • 0
          HappyCamper replies to gary
          I had a great experience with them.  I made an error on my original booking (which was for exactly the flights I needed for 5 people, at half the cost on the air carrier's website).  I called Customer Service... yes, they were in India, but the gentleman was helpful.  He had to rekey all 5 tickets, two ways, and apologized that he would have to charge $25 for fixing MY error in inputting a traveler's name.  It was still a bargain ($167 one-way vs. $600).

          I will admit I was a little nervous after booking, so I immediately went to the airline's website and my confirmations were there... I could choose my seats.  So, it all seemed legit!

          I can promise you, I do not work for them.  I have a full-time job that keeps me plenty busy.  But, I felt compelled to respond because my experience was completely the opposite of what some have described.  I know there are always good and bad experiences with customer service.
  • 0
    mj
    | 1 reply
    I too have complaints about this airline. I called to change a reservation and was placed on hold for over thirty minutes. Upon finally recieving someone to help me, they said there were no seats available, and that I would have to change my return flight as well, which would result in paying 800 dollars, almost more than the entire ticket to begin with. This was not an option.
    I called my airline directly and they confirmed there were indeed seats available and offered to help me. The result was that I only had to pay 200 dollars, and did not have to change my return flight as I was initially told.
    This airline is a ripoff that provided poor service, and tries to make passangers pay an exhorbitant amount of money to change flights. I in no way recommend them, and suggest people file formal complaints to the Better Business Bureau as I plan to do.
    • 0
      Dissappointed passenger replies to mj
      We just recently had an international trip going to Asia . And can you imagine that you have to get all your connecting ticket to the airline desk with a very limited time . First time to have this kind of  inconvenient system that you even have to purchase your seat for you to be with your family. NEVER  EVER USE THIS WEBSITE TO PURCHASE YOUR. TICKET . The WORST TRAVEL I EVER HAD. Even your email address is wrong that you have to call them half day just to correct it.
  • 0
    CJ
    | 1 reply
    I just tried to purchase a ticket from cheapoair.  The price was $440 which was cheaper than the rest of the market so I went through the motions and gave all of my card info to them.  Clicked on the link to finish the transaction and the screen just disappeared.  So with no confirmation I had to check my bank account instantly.  There was a $1 fee from cheap air so I thought well maybe they are processing it.  Called up and they had no records of my flight or any purchases, but the arab lady said that $1 fee would drop off of my account in a few minutes.  I hung up on her.

    As i began to research more flights I saw a similar flight for $212 so  clicked on it and it brought me to a $818 ticket.  How the hell can they get away with that crap?  I'm calling the bank to block any money going out to cheapoair.
    • 0
      Ken replies to CJ
      Bait and Switch classic online style. You need the ticket, they know it. I just went through the same thing. Call card co. and block payment. SCAM
  • 0
    Joe
    | 5 replies
    Ive flew with cheapo air 10+ times...never had a problem. They are an excellent provider for a frugal traveler like me.
    • 0
      SIVANANDAM replies to Joe
      No problem . My trip is during christmas holidays 2012. , Eight months after if any problems I will write . But to my knowledge their rate is the best rate and they gave over 50 choices to select the flight.
    • 0
      Amy replies to Joe
      My husband and I have flown with cheap o air over a dozen times and always had great service and the best prices for about 4 years now. I will continue to use them and as a matter of fact my husband and step daughter are on a flight today.
    • 0
      Awkptc replies to Joe
      I have used them 3 times with no problems!
    • 0
      another robot replies to Joe
      You work for Cheapoair obviously no one would ever fly this airline 10 times
    • 0
      Sam replies to Joe
      I think you work for them
      That is why you talk positive (false) about them
  • 0
    k
    yeah you probably work for the damn company
  • 0
    Dawnn
    | 1 reply
    I agree with the bait and switch.  I tried booking online, but there is no way to enter the passenger name as it appears on their government issued ID, so you MUST call them to book.  After you call them to book, not surprisingly, the cheap fare you wanted is higher, or there are no more seats left on that flight.  I saved a chat log with them because the customer service person was no help and did not give any straight answers to my questions.  Very frustrating!
    • 0
      Sam replies to Dawnn
      I did the same thing tried to book on line it didn't process so called, then went back on line and the lower price was gone; they refused to give me the lower rate I told them it was their fault not mine ended up paying the higher fare never thought to read any complaints now I know!
  • 0
    Lisa
    | 1 reply
    Joe you are probably one of thos scum bag scam artists that run this company.  NO ONE should use this web site!  They should be investigated and charged with fraude!
    • 0
      Richard Racicot replies to Lisa
      i agree they are a scam and if i have any say they will be shut down!!!! not before i get my money back and hopefully all the others they have ripped off!

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