Exteme short layovers and no contact means for help. Don't do it.

Do NOT use travelstart.

I used the travelstart site to book flights. Chose option and paid. Once I received the tickets I realized how impossible it is to make the flights- short layovers- 50min in London Heathrow layover!!!!!! And 1hr and doha which is also impossible. I mailed them and they rep**** that there is sufficient time to make it. So I left it.

When I arrived to check in - the madeira cashier told me it's impossible to make the layover in London, she advised I rather go back home and change the flight. I explained that I cannot do that and will have to risk it ( with two small little children). She told me this package is actually ******* ( too short layovers approved), but let me proceed with the check in at my own risk. She couldn't believe travelstart posted a package like this.

I then mailed travelstart with urgent subtitles to help me with a Contact number should I lose my plane, and what I would need to do, who to call etc. Please note I couldn't afford a hotel or new flights. So what was the next step.

72 hrs later and not a single reply. Please note- no use to call them. They could take 2hrs to answer. I have screenshors to prove this.

I made the 2 layovers simply because our first plan arrived 25mim early, and the following flight was delayed ( london)- never have we had to run so fast in our lives. We couldn't even go to the toilet. Then in doha- same thing. We got to the check on as it closed. I mean we landed when the next flight stayed boarding. This was so stressful that I had my two babies crying as we couldn't run any faster, as did I when we made it to check in.

With all of this, we made it to jhb, but they have lost our luggage bags. All 5. I have a wedding on Saturday with the wedding outfits in, but have no bags or indication of when we can receive it.

I will never in my life book with travelstart again and recommend no one else does. It's not worth the risk or the additional money you would pay to book directly with thr airline. Never again. They have absolutely no remorse and contacting them is worse then trying to contact our government. Shocking. Guys don't do it. Never, ever again.