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mirah L
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2013
15 Sept 2020, 19:41
TRAVEL STOPS IF YOU TRAVELSTART - IMMORAL AND USELESS
I AM WRITING THIS REVIEW ON BEHALF OF MY FRIEND WHO IS A TOURIST TO SOUTH AFRICAN AND HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF THE IMMORAL BUSINESS PRACTICES OF THIS COMPANY. I AM SO ASHAMED OF THE IMAGE CREATED OF OUR COUNTRY.
I am extremely unhappy with your service. I booked flights through your company that unfortunately were cancelled due to corona. After extensive and lengthy contact, I was told I could now rebook the flights. However, when I received the quote I was told I had to pay in thousands of rand. The apparent ‘difference in fare’ is actually the cost of an airline ticket if I book it myself ON YOUR VERY OWN WEBSITE!!!. As it currently stands, you therefore have ****** my money because you are expecting me to pay for new tickets – whatever name you call this process – the end result is the same. I was before not even asking for my money back - I literally just wanted to be able to book flights that I have paid for- which is the service you are meant to offer. I have been trying to get a reasonable result from your company for months and months. It has taken hours and hours and once again I am treated appallingly. I find it terrifying that your company appears to have no ethical or moral values – I wonder how you would cope if you were put in the situation that you have put me in. I am also a foreigner in South Africa and am shocked at my treatment by an organisation that is meant to be at the forefront of promoting tourism. At first I tried to settle this in a way that even though it was to my disadvantage would be fair to both parties and not cause any loss of income to you; however you clearly do not play your part. The next step is reporting you to the consumer rights ombudsman, as well as notifying all potential customers via social and national media outlets. I no longer trust your company at all – I want a full immediate refund. Booking codes:ZA***4 ZA***6
Helpful (0)
Replies (11)0
Replies (11)
Travelstart's replyOfficial
16 Sept 2020, 08:36Good Day Mirah,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback.
With the national lockdowns in each country due to Covid-19, airlines are no longer in control of their flight schedules and all cancellations and/or disruptions that take place or will take place are as a result of the national lockdown and not at the instance of the airline. Each airline has their own policy with regards to cancellations and changes. As Travelstart acts as an agent for the airline we are bound by all airlines rules and need to quote according to their directives which they have provided to us.
The airline has waivered their re-issue fee however they do require us to collect any difference in fare and airport taxes. These funds go directly to the airline and I'm afraid we are not permitted to waiver them. We quote according to class availability for the dates the customer provide us.
If one is flexible with their dates of travel we will be happy to see if there is a cheaper seat available.
We will give you a call during the course of this morning to assist in answering any other amendment queries.
KInd Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback.
With the national lockdowns in each country due to Covid-19, airlines are no longer in control of their flight schedules and all cancellations and/or disruptions that take place or will take place are as a result of the national lockdown and not at the instance of the airline. Each airline has their own policy with regards to cancellations and changes. As Travelstart acts as an agent for the airline we are bound by all airlines rules and need to quote according to their directives which they have provided to us.
The airline has waivered their re-issue fee however they do require us to collect any difference in fare and airport taxes. These funds go directly to the airline and I'm afraid we are not permitted to waiver them. We quote according to class availability for the dates the customer provide us.
If one is flexible with their dates of travel we will be happy to see if there is a cheaper seat available.
We will give you a call during the course of this morning to assist in answering any other amendment queries.
KInd Regards,
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply16 Sept 2020, 08:36
Official
Good Day Mirah,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback.
With the national lockdowns in each country due to Covid-19, airlines are no longer in control of their flight schedules and all cancellations and/or disruptions that take place or will take place are as a result of the national lockdown and not at the instance of the airline. Each airline has their own policy with regards to cancellations and changes. As Travelstart acts as an agent for the airline we are bound by all airlines rules and need to quote according to their directives which they have provided to us.
The airline has waivered their re-issue fee however they do require us to collect any difference in fare and airport taxes. These funds go directly to the airline and I'm afraid we are not permitted to waiver them. We quote according to class availability for the dates the customer provide us.
If one is flexible with their dates of travel we will be happy to see if there is a cheaper seat available.
We will give you a call during the course of this morning to assist in answering any other amendment queries.
KInd Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback.
With the national lockdowns in each country due to Covid-19, airlines are no longer in control of their flight schedules and all cancellations and/or disruptions that take place or will take place are as a result of the national lockdown and not at the instance of the airline. Each airline has their own policy with regards to cancellations and changes. As Travelstart acts as an agent for the airline we are bound by all airlines rules and need to quote according to their directives which they have provided to us.
The airline has waivered their re-issue fee however they do require us to collect any difference in fare and airport taxes. These funds go directly to the airline and I'm afraid we are not permitted to waiver them. We quote according to class availability for the dates the customer provide us.
If one is flexible with their dates of travel we will be happy to see if there is a cheaper seat available.
We will give you a call during the course of this morning to assist in answering any other amendment queries.
KInd Regards,
Travelstart
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mirah L's updateReviewer Update
16 Sept 2020, 09:08Don't bother phoning me if you are going to give these kind of excuses. This is corporate speak and ultimately means nothing. There is no reason why I should pay double what is costs to book the SAME tickets of your OWN websites from the SAME AIRLINE. Contact me when you are willing to return the money you have ****** or book me the flights at the price they are advertised for on your website and for which I HAVE ALREADY PAID!!
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mirah L's update16 Sept 2020, 09:08
Reviewer Update
Don't bother phoning me if you are going to give these kind of excuses. This is corporate speak and ultimately means nothing. There is no reason why I should pay double what is costs to book the SAME tickets of your OWN websites from the SAME AIRLINE. Contact me when you are willing to return the money you have ****** or book me the flights at the price they are advertised for on your website and for which I HAVE ALREADY PAID!!
Travelstart's replyOfficial
16 Sept 2020, 13:21Hi Mirah,
Thank you for taking my call earlier this morning. I regret that you are not happy with what the airline is offering their passengers.
When purchasing a ticket the funds for the flight goes directly to the airline to secure the seat, thus Travelstart does not hold any of the funds. The airline provides us with their policies and our Operations Team would need to quote according to their directives. I am very sorry but we are governed by all airline policies and not permitted to waiver them.
Please feel free to email us should you have any other questions.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for taking my call earlier this morning. I regret that you are not happy with what the airline is offering their passengers.
When purchasing a ticket the funds for the flight goes directly to the airline to secure the seat, thus Travelstart does not hold any of the funds. The airline provides us with their policies and our Operations Team would need to quote according to their directives. I am very sorry but we are governed by all airline policies and not permitted to waiver them.
Please feel free to email us should you have any other questions.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply16 Sept 2020, 13:21
Official
Hi Mirah,
Thank you for taking my call earlier this morning. I regret that you are not happy with what the airline is offering their passengers.
When purchasing a ticket the funds for the flight goes directly to the airline to secure the seat, thus Travelstart does not hold any of the funds. The airline provides us with their policies and our Operations Team would need to quote according to their directives. I am very sorry but we are governed by all airline policies and not permitted to waiver them.
Please feel free to email us should you have any other questions.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for taking my call earlier this morning. I regret that you are not happy with what the airline is offering their passengers.
When purchasing a ticket the funds for the flight goes directly to the airline to secure the seat, thus Travelstart does not hold any of the funds. The airline provides us with their policies and our Operations Team would need to quote according to their directives. I am very sorry but we are governed by all airline policies and not permitted to waiver them.
Please feel free to email us should you have any other questions.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
mL
mirah L's updateReviewer Update
17 Sept 2020, 08:08Your response is hilarious and clearly designed to make anyone reading this think you offered something that I was cruel enough to turn down and therefore make them believe you actually solve problems in fact let me clarify:
Your version of airline rules is this - basically SAA are not actually honouring flights but there is nothing you can do with it - ie the airline is offerings its passengers absolutely nothing except the option to shut up and accept their money has been ****** - the purpose of your call and these replies is simply to keep telling me this - that you can't help it if your friend SAA is mean.
You offered me nothing except to maybe randomly rebook tickets when it was cheap but my friend doesn't need to travel. I mean what is that even?
You promised to speak to a person who specialised in this area and whom I had previously spoken to and then phone me back.
You didn't.
Your version of airline rules is this - basically SAA are not actually honouring flights but there is nothing you can do with it - ie the airline is offerings its passengers absolutely nothing except the option to shut up and accept their money has been ****** - the purpose of your call and these replies is simply to keep telling me this - that you can't help it if your friend SAA is mean.
You offered me nothing except to maybe randomly rebook tickets when it was cheap but my friend doesn't need to travel. I mean what is that even?
You promised to speak to a person who specialised in this area and whom I had previously spoken to and then phone me back.
You didn't.
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mirah L's update17 Sept 2020, 08:08
Reviewer Update
Your response is hilarious and clearly designed to make anyone reading this think you offered something that I was cruel enough to turn down and therefore make them believe you actually solve problems in fact let me clarify:
Your version of airline rules is this - basically SAA are not actually honouring flights but there is nothing you can do with it - ie the airline is offerings its passengers absolutely nothing except the option to shut up and accept their money has been ****** - the purpose of your call and these replies is simply to keep telling me this - that you can't help it if your friend SAA is mean.
You offered me nothing except to maybe randomly rebook tickets when it was cheap but my friend doesn't need to travel. I mean what is that even?
You promised to speak to a person who specialised in this area and whom I had previously spoken to and then phone me back.
You didn't.
Your version of airline rules is this - basically SAA are not actually honouring flights but there is nothing you can do with it - ie the airline is offerings its passengers absolutely nothing except the option to shut up and accept their money has been ****** - the purpose of your call and these replies is simply to keep telling me this - that you can't help it if your friend SAA is mean.
You offered me nothing except to maybe randomly rebook tickets when it was cheap but my friend doesn't need to travel. I mean what is that even?
You promised to speak to a person who specialised in this area and whom I had previously spoken to and then phone me back.
You didn't.
Travelstart's replyOfficial
17 Sept 2020, 08:35Hi Mirah,
Thank you for your reply.
I have called and left a message this morning and a team lead will be in touch before 12pm today to assist in answering any questions you might have over the phone.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for your reply.
I have called and left a message this morning and a team lead will be in touch before 12pm today to assist in answering any questions you might have over the phone.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply17 Sept 2020, 08:35
Official
Hi Mirah,
Thank you for your reply.
I have called and left a message this morning and a team lead will be in touch before 12pm today to assist in answering any questions you might have over the phone.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for your reply.
I have called and left a message this morning and a team lead will be in touch before 12pm today to assist in answering any questions you might have over the phone.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Travelstart's replyOfficial
17 Sept 2020, 15:54Hi Mirah,
Our team leader confirmed she reached out to you this morning to address your concerns and answer any further queries.
There was a problem with the line, she has called back twice and left a message.
If there is an alternative number we can reach you please send let us know.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply17 Sept 2020, 15:54
Official
Hi Mirah,
Our team leader confirmed she reached out to you this morning to address your concerns and answer any further queries.
There was a problem with the line, she has called back twice and left a message.
If there is an alternative number we can reach you please send let us know.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
mL
mirah L's updateReviewer Update
17 Sept 2020, 17:23Hi there is not a problem with my line at all; I have received calls throughout the day. It is clearly a problem on your side I did not receive any messages.
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mirah L's update17 Sept 2020, 17:23
Reviewer Update
Hi there is not a problem with my line at all; I have received calls throughout the day. It is clearly a problem on your side I did not receive any messages.
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mirah L's updateReviewer Update
17 Sept 2020, 17:25This is in terms of the call from your team leader; I received one call in the morning while I was in a meeting and a message thereof, informing me team leader would phone - but nothing beyond that
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mirah L's update17 Sept 2020, 17:25
Reviewer Update
This is in terms of the call from your team leader; I received one call in the morning while I was in a meeting and a message thereof, informing me team leader would phone - but nothing beyond that
Travelstart's replyOfficial
17 Sept 2020, 20:00Hi Mirah,
I have passed feedback onto our head of Amendments who will reach out to you again during the course of tomorrow before 12pm
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
I have passed feedback onto our head of Amendments who will reach out to you again during the course of tomorrow before 12pm
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply17 Sept 2020, 20:00
Official
Hi Mirah,
I have passed feedback onto our head of Amendments who will reach out to you again during the course of tomorrow before 12pm
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
I have passed feedback onto our head of Amendments who will reach out to you again during the course of tomorrow before 12pm
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
mL
mirah L's updateReviewer Update
29 Sept 2020, 12:55Travelstart disappeared while apparently assisting me; they just never contacted me again; the people I am trying to help, had to rebook tickets with another company and so have now lost double the money essentially. A full refund is demanded immediately; the consumer ombudsman has also been contacted about this case.
mL
mirah L's update29 Sept 2020, 12:55
Reviewer Update
Travelstart disappeared while apparently assisting me; they just never contacted me again; the people I am trying to help, had to rebook tickets with another company and so have now lost double the money essentially. A full refund is demanded immediately; the consumer ombudsman has also been contacted about this case.
Travelstart's replyOfficial
29 Sept 2020, 15:38Hi Mirah,
Thank you for reaching out.
Looking at the booking reference numbers you have provided I see one of our amendment agents have been in contact to assist with your refund and date change request over the phone.
As confirmed we are governed by all airline policies and I'm afraid not permitted to waiver them. I'm afraid SAA is not offering refunds.
We have called twice on the number you have provided and left messages.
Our team leader will contact you again by the end of today to assist and answer any further booking queries you might have.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for reaching out.
Looking at the booking reference numbers you have provided I see one of our amendment agents have been in contact to assist with your refund and date change request over the phone.
As confirmed we are governed by all airline policies and I'm afraid not permitted to waiver them. I'm afraid SAA is not offering refunds.
We have called twice on the number you have provided and left messages.
Our team leader will contact you again by the end of today to assist and answer any further booking queries you might have.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Travelstart's reply29 Sept 2020, 15:38
Official
Hi Mirah,
Thank you for reaching out.
Looking at the booking reference numbers you have provided I see one of our amendment agents have been in contact to assist with your refund and date change request over the phone.
As confirmed we are governed by all airline policies and I'm afraid not permitted to waiver them. I'm afraid SAA is not offering refunds.
We have called twice on the number you have provided and left messages.
Our team leader will contact you again by the end of today to assist and answer any further booking queries you might have.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart
Thank you for reaching out.
Looking at the booking reference numbers you have provided I see one of our amendment agents have been in contact to assist with your refund and date change request over the phone.
As confirmed we are governed by all airline policies and I'm afraid not permitted to waiver them. I'm afraid SAA is not offering refunds.
We have called twice on the number you have provided and left messages.
Our team leader will contact you again by the end of today to assist and answer any further booking queries you might have.
Kind Regards,
Travelstart