Flight Centre: The worst travel experience

I contacted Flight Centre to organize a trip for me and my son. He is 14 years old, and I wanted to spoil him with time with mom in Hong Kong and also Thailand. Mornay Carstens at Flight Centre, Claremont, Cape Town booked the trip for me. We spent a lot of time revising quotes, and he recommended that we change our hotels from the Ocean resorts, rather to inland ****et. Walking distance from the Sleezy, ********** and drug area Bangla road. With my son. I objected and asked for a sea side family friendly resort and he assured me this hotel was better. (The hotel was in a HORRIBLE sleezy area) Just before my trip, I contacted him to ask him what I should print out, and how can I prepare? He ASSURED me I don't need ANY documentation, at all. Just my passport.

When I got to the check in, on the day of my trip, the Airway would not let us in. I needed to produce documents from the Department of Home affairs, a Certified copy of my husband's passport, an Affidavit from my husband, again certified. The agent did not tell me any of this, and after I contacted him, he said, MY BAD. I should have told you that. (MY BAD???????) It was a horrible, stressful experience. I was early enough at the airport, and could call my husband to print and go to a police station. It was most stressful and we had to push through queues to avoid missing our flight, although I was 4 hours early. Thank you flight centre.

Further, we arrived in Hong Kong at 6 am. My agent did not organize early check in with the hotel, nor did he warn me about this. Over a very long flight with a tired boy, I needed to wait 8 hours to check in. I exclusively use Travel agents to book my trips, in order to avoid hick ups and they iron out surprises. I will never use Flight center again.