MC
Marius C
1 reviews | Active since May 2024
31 Oct 2025, 12:27
Misleading and Hidden Costs
I regret using this company and would strongly advise others to be cautious. Their Add-ons can be misleading, as the real costs are hidden in the fine print. I paid extra for the “Flexi Travel Dates” option to move my son’s flight to an earlier date if needed. When I tried to make the change, I was shocked to learn that I had to pay an additional amount—almost double what the Add-on itself cost. Booking directly with the airline would have been much cheaper. I definitely would not recommend this company to anyone.
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Replies (2)
Travelstart's replyOfficial
31 Oct 2025, 12:53HI there, Marius.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. The matter has been forwarded to the Amendments team lead for investigation and they will be in contact.
Please do note that the Flexible Travel Dates product that we offer does advise the following regarding the product during the booking process:
"This product gives you the freedom to make one date change to your flight without paying any airline penalty fees. Valid up to 24 hours prior to departure of the original ticket ."
If you click on "Know more", you are taken to the following link that lays out the terms and conditions of this product:
https://www.travelstart.co.za/lp/products-services/flexi-travel-dates?
The first line of these terms and conditions does state "If the price of your rebooked ticket is higher, you will be required to pay the difference in airfare and taxes."
The change quote that was requested had waived the Travelstart admin fee and the airline change penalty and the quoted cost to change was for the difference in fare and taxes based on the availability on your requested new date of travel.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. The matter has been forwarded to the Amendments team lead for investigation and they will be in contact.
Please do note that the Flexible Travel Dates product that we offer does advise the following regarding the product during the booking process:
"This product gives you the freedom to make one date change to your flight without paying any airline penalty fees. Valid up to 24 hours prior to departure of the original ticket ."
If you click on "Know more", you are taken to the following link that lays out the terms and conditions of this product:
https://www.travelstart.co.za/lp/products-services/flexi-travel-dates?
The first line of these terms and conditions does state "If the price of your rebooked ticket is higher, you will be required to pay the difference in airfare and taxes."
The change quote that was requested had waived the Travelstart admin fee and the airline change penalty and the quoted cost to change was for the difference in fare and taxes based on the availability on your requested new date of travel.
Travelstart's reply31 Oct 2025, 12:53
Official
HI there, Marius.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. The matter has been forwarded to the Amendments team lead for investigation and they will be in contact.
Please do note that the Flexible Travel Dates product that we offer does advise the following regarding the product during the booking process:
"This product gives you the freedom to make one date change to your flight without paying any airline penalty fees. Valid up to 24 hours prior to departure of the original ticket ."
If you click on "Know more", you are taken to the following link that lays out the terms and conditions of this product:
https://www.travelstart.co.za/lp/products-services/flexi-travel-dates?
The first line of these terms and conditions does state "If the price of your rebooked ticket is higher, you will be required to pay the difference in airfare and taxes."
The change quote that was requested had waived the Travelstart admin fee and the airline change penalty and the quoted cost to change was for the difference in fare and taxes based on the availability on your requested new date of travel.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. The matter has been forwarded to the Amendments team lead for investigation and they will be in contact.
Please do note that the Flexible Travel Dates product that we offer does advise the following regarding the product during the booking process:
"This product gives you the freedom to make one date change to your flight without paying any airline penalty fees. Valid up to 24 hours prior to departure of the original ticket ."
If you click on "Know more", you are taken to the following link that lays out the terms and conditions of this product:
https://www.travelstart.co.za/lp/products-services/flexi-travel-dates?
The first line of these terms and conditions does state "If the price of your rebooked ticket is higher, you will be required to pay the difference in airfare and taxes."
The change quote that was requested had waived the Travelstart admin fee and the airline change penalty and the quoted cost to change was for the difference in fare and taxes based on the availability on your requested new date of travel.
MC
Marius C's updateReviewer Update
31 Oct 2025, 14:23Thank you for your response. I do, however, feel that the way the Flexi Travel Dates product is presented during the booking process is misleading. While I understand that the terms and conditions mention paying any fare difference, this important detail is not clearly highlighted at the time of purchase. The impression given when purchasing this Add-on is that it provides flexibility to change travel dates without incurring additional costs — not that a new booking could end up costing nearly double the original fare. Had this been made clear upfront, I would have chosen to book directly with the airline, where the process and potential costs are far more transparent. I would never have taken this option if it weren’t for the urgency of my son needing to travel to France. I chose the Flexi Travel Dates option in case his visa was approved earlier than the expected 15-day lead time. Unfortunately, it was approved sooner, and I’ve now discovered that I essentially wasted R2,299. The way this product is structured is indeed clever — I’ll give you that. An expensive lesson learned, and one I won’t repeat.
MC
Marius C's update31 Oct 2025, 14:23
Reviewer Update
Thank you for your response. I do, however, feel that the way the Flexi Travel Dates product is presented during the booking process is misleading. While I understand that the terms and conditions mention paying any fare difference, this important detail is not clearly highlighted at the time of purchase. The impression given when purchasing this Add-on is that it provides flexibility to change travel dates without incurring additional costs — not that a new booking could end up costing nearly double the original fare. Had this been made clear upfront, I would have chosen to book directly with the airline, where the process and potential costs are far more transparent. I would never have taken this option if it weren’t for the urgency of my son needing to travel to France. I chose the Flexi Travel Dates option in case his visa was approved earlier than the expected 15-day lead time. Unfortunately, it was approved sooner, and I’ve now discovered that I essentially wasted R2,299. The way this product is structured is indeed clever — I’ll give you that. An expensive lesson learned, and one I won’t repeat.