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Sandra C

1 reviews | Active since May 2022

16 May 2022, 12:13

Frustrated with Travelstart's customer service, or lack thereof.

We have booked tickets with Travelstart for travel to Mykonos in June. There was a schedule change on Qatar's side whereby our JNB - DBN leg was cancelled and we were put on a BA flight at 09h30. This means we have a 6 hour layover in OR Tambo from a zero layover. I have been trying to change the flight to an earlier BA flight only to be told that Qatar does not have an interlink agreement with BA, and they cannot change the flight, which I know to be untrue. I contacted Qatar directly and they said it can be done but they cannot do it on their side. Travelstart has to do it. This is where the biggest problem comes in. You wait for an hour for a call to be answered, every email I send is responded to on days later, I have called and send multiple emails and I still do not have a resolution. We seem to be going around in square circles. My query is simple. Since COVID, this working at home nonsense, has made Customer Service non existent to these people. Your flights may be cheap, but your service is shocking and quite frankly not worth it. I have travelled many times with Travelstart, but this will be the last if I don't get this resolved before we leave. I need feedback, I cannot even find how to escalate this hence my trying this last resort on Hellopeter.

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Replies (13)
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply16 May 2022, 13:43
Official
Hi Sandra, 

Thank you for reaching out to us.  I am sorry that there has been difficulty with regards to the flight and airline schedule change.  Please note that I have asked the team to follow up with Qatar on possible flights to offer.  Once they receive a response, they will be able to advise and assist you.

Please keep an eye on your inbox and revert accordingly.

Kind Regards,
Melissa
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Sandra C's update16 May 2022, 14:05
Reviewer Update
Thank you for your response. Please could I ask for someone to call me or that I receive an email from a person and not the help address. I do not want to have to wait another 72 hours or longer for a response. I would like to deal with a person.
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply17 May 2022, 09:47
Official
Hi Sandra,

Thank you for the revert.

I have been advised by the team that the booking has been reissued with the requested flight and new ticket sent.  Please review the information and advise if you require further assistance.

Kind Regards,
Melissa
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Sandra C's update17 May 2022, 10:24
Reviewer Update
How can my booking be changed if I have never provided a booking number, are these responses to save face? I have checked and nothing is changed. Is it too much to ask for someone to call me?
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply18 May 2022, 18:05
Official
Hi Sandra,

Thank you for taking my call.

I have once again asked the team to contact you to discuss the options availableso that we can have a better understanding of your needs.  Please keep an eye out for their call within the next 24 hours.

Kind Regards,
Melissa
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Sandra C's update18 May 2022, 19:52
Reviewer Update
Hi Melissa,

I cannot thank you enough for your personal call this evening, it truly means a lot. I will wait for the consultant to call me tomorrow to finalise this.

You have redeemed Travelstart.
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Sandra C's update20 May 2022, 11:57
Reviewer Update
Hi Melissa,

I just wanted to let you know that I still have not received the phone call from the agent as promised.
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply20 May 2022, 17:14
Official
Hi Sandra, 

Thank you for for feedback.  Please note I have escalated the request with the team 3 times now and have asked the team lead to have an agent call you.

I will be following up on this over the weekend.

Wishing you a good day further.

Kind Regards,
Melissa
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Sandra C's update23 May 2022, 10:44
Reviewer Update
Hi Melissa

I now have less than 3 weeks until we leave and I have been trying to do this for 3 months. Please could someone urgently call me.
SC
Sandra C's update23 May 2022, 11:20
Reviewer Update
Hi Melissa,

I have just tried to call myself again. I held on 2 separate occasions for 20 minutes only to be cut off both times. I am starting to lose my patience again.
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply23 May 2022, 13:15
Official
Hi Sandra,

Thank you for the revert.

I am dreadfully sorry that you have not received assistance as yet.  I am aware that the team handling the airline schedule changes are currently inundated and working on bookings within a 72 hour departure time frame.  I have now asked them once again to call you to further assist and advise.  Please let me know if not actioned by emailing me on ***

Kind Regards,
Melissa
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Sandra C's update26 May 2022, 20:48
Reviewer Update
Hi Melissa
I still have not received a call nor and email and I now have 2 weeks until my flight. I also could not see your email address in order for me to email you. This is really ridiculous!
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Sandra C's update31 May 2022, 08:40
Reviewer Update
Hi Melissa,

I now have 8 days until I leave and I have still not had a call from Travelstart, by the time you people call me, there will be no space left on the flight we would like to take. This is absolutely despicable.