Hi. I wonder if anyone can give me some advice for my parents who are in their 70s.
Two weeks ago, they went into their local travel agents to book some flights to Australia, (unfortunately we had told them a few days before to use someone more specialised like Trailfinders) and in their naivety, bought some flights which we feel arent suitable.
They wanted a flight to Australia, with an overnight stop, both to and from Sydney for December, stopping preferably at somewhere like Hong kong. They travel agent said they couldnt do this but could offer them a flight via Japan, with a 5 hr stop and this would be fine for them, this also means they have to look after their luggage before the next flight at they do not hold it for them. Unfortunately they decided to book there & then and pay a £500 deposit as they thought they would not be able to get a better flight etc.
When we found out we tried to speak to the travel agent on their behalf and see if they could amend their booking to an overnight stop (still in Japan, if they have to), but they said no unless they wanted to lose their full deposit? They are also unable to book their preferred seats until 48 hrs before. How can this be correct. We realise the agent is probably on commision and decided to sell 2 elderly people flights totally unsuitable, but is there anyway of sorting this out. They are willing to pay a bit extra for the hotel accomodation? my husband has spoken to the manager, but they are not budging. Any advice would be appreciated!
Sorry to hear about the situation your parents find themselves in with the flights.
Are the company ABTA registered? - if so then they may be able to give you some advice. Also have a look at this link re complaints about Travel Agents which may help. Or perhaps contact the airline direct and explain the situation and see if they could offer any suggestions.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/TravellingAbroad/AirTravel/DG_10036233
Are the company ABTA registered? - if so then they may be able to give you some advice. Also have a look at this link re complaints about Travel Agents which may help. Or perhaps contact the airline direct and explain the situation and see if they could offer any suggestions.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/TravellingAbroad/AirTravel/DG_10036233
I fear that there is little you can do about this other than appeal to the goodwill of the agent. Your parents chose to ignore your advice about using a specialised agency and then decided to book these flights for themselves. Are you alleging that the agent pressured them into making this booking and that your parents are vulnerable in some way beyoond just their age? Personally I wouldn't dare say so to my 80+ parents! I'm afraid that they seem to have freely entered into a contract which the agent is probably within their rights to insist stands. It's worth noting too that unless your parents have provided the TA with signed consent to discuss this with you then they could refuse to discuss this booking with you at all as you are not party to the contract your parents appear to have signed for.
SM
SM
I agree with the above that there is probably nothing you can do.
My mother is nearly 85 and fortunately leaves most holiday and flight bookings to me to arrange for her. She did indeed go to Australia in 2007 without a stopover although if she goes again she will have stopover as she did find it rather long and tedious.
Re the seat bookings - I think you will find it quite common not to be able to book your seat until 24 - 48 hours before unless you are travelling business/first class.
Perhaps in future you should either go with them to book or do it for them.
Pippa
My mother is nearly 85 and fortunately leaves most holiday and flight bookings to me to arrange for her. She did indeed go to Australia in 2007 without a stopover although if she goes again she will have stopover as she did find it rather long and tedious.
Re the seat bookings - I think you will find it quite common not to be able to book your seat until 24 - 48 hours before unless you are travelling business/first class.
Perhaps in future you should either go with them to book or do it for them.
Pippa
Thanks for your replies.
I will have a look at ABTA and see if there is anything about amending the flight to be the next day, with a stopover. If not, then they will have to make do and recover at the other end.
With regard to the seat booking, we have been able to book our seats for September with Singapore airlines already and they are economy.
I will have a look at ABTA and see if there is anything about amending the flight to be the next day, with a stopover. If not, then they will have to make do and recover at the other end.
With regard to the seat booking, we have been able to book our seats for September with Singapore airlines already and they are economy.
Hi Westam,
Sorry to hear about the problems, just a small thing I wanted to add. I wouldn't read too much into the seating, it's very common not to be able to book seats until 24/48 hours before hand. Singapore Airlines allow you to when you book directly online, however if you booked the same flights through a travel agents, Singapore Airlines allow a generic request (i.e. Aisle + 1, window + 1) but will not allow them to assign a specific seat until 48 hours before hand. However, if you ask for the Airline's Locator, and call the airline direct, they may override and secure the seats for you. Can't help with the rest of it i'm afraid.
Sorry to hear about the problems, just a small thing I wanted to add. I wouldn't read too much into the seating, it's very common not to be able to book seats until 24/48 hours before hand. Singapore Airlines allow you to when you book directly online, however if you booked the same flights through a travel agents, Singapore Airlines allow a generic request (i.e. Aisle + 1, window + 1) but will not allow them to assign a specific seat until 48 hours before hand. However, if you ask for the Airline's Locator, and call the airline direct, they may override and secure the seats for you. Can't help with the rest of it i'm afraid.
Yes the SIA is correct as I was not able to book my seats until 24 hrs. No problem went on line and got a perfectly good seat which the girl at the Airport changed for me to give me an empty seat beside me. I then has plenty of space for the flight. They did the same on the Sing/Auckland flight and also return Perth/Sing. Excellect service.
Sorry I don't see what you can do about these flights. Are they flying with Japan Airlines?? therefore going via Japan. Is there anything like they have in Singapore like the Transit Hotel? Just a thought. I am 67 and would be offended if someone suggested I was not capable of booking or making my holiday decisions so a difficult one.
Sue
Sorry I don't see what you can do about these flights. Are they flying with Japan Airlines?? therefore going via Japan. Is there anything like they have in Singapore like the Transit Hotel? Just a thought. I am 67 and would be offended if someone suggested I was not capable of booking or making my holiday decisions so a difficult one.
Sue
Also if you book direct with the airline in most cases you'll have to pay the full amount up front, not just a deposit. If you book direct and pay the full amount you'll get your booking confirmed with 24 hours, and normally the locator, so you normally can request seats.
All airlines cover themselves (in the T&C's) that seat requests are never guaranteed whoever you book with anyway.
All airlines cover themselves (in the T&C's) that seat requests are never guaranteed whoever you book with anyway.
If they are booked with the one airline straight through to Australia I think you'll find that their luggage will go straight through and they wont see it until their arrival in Oz and they will only have their hand luggage to look after during their 5 hour transit In fairness to the agent from time to time Japan Airlines offer some very good deals down under and indeed the agent might have been trying to get them the best deal at that time Alan
I do so agree with the original poster that it is usually far better to book with a company such as Trailfinders for trips like this. I used them some years ago and they were absolutely superb, sorting out a three and a half month trip including flights to Sydney with stop-overs in Bangkok and Singapore on the way out and back from Perth with a stop-over in Hongkong This included all hotels, a package tour with Australia Pacific from Sydney to Cairns and a Greyhound Bus ticket from Queensland to Perth. Unlike the company your parents booked with, they actually listened to what I wanted and made useful suggestions.
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