JR
Jan R
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2019
04 Feb 2020, 15:29
Worse than the Coronavirus (That's on a good day too)
I wish I could choose a rating worse than terrible! After booking a flight Travelstart took it upon themselves to change my booking without informing me. Luckily the airline did advise me. I sent e-mail requesting a change as the new booking was too late, I am still waiting for a response a week later. Further calls and mail have been fruitless! The airline themselves said Travelstart were lying when they told me they were waiting for a response from the airline. Sadly, I did not investigate Travelstart before using them. I urge anyone thinking of using them to reconsider. Rather cut off a toe or stick a fork in your eye as it will be less painful than dealing with this shower.
Helpful (0)
Replies (7)0
Replies (7)
Travelstart's replyOfficial
04 Feb 2020, 15:32Dear Jan R,
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.
We are sorry to hear you were not pleased with the service received.
Kindly send us a private response with your booking reference and contact details, in order for us to check and assist you accordingly.
Regards,
The Travelstart Team
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.
We are sorry to hear you were not pleased with the service received.
Kindly send us a private response with your booking reference and contact details, in order for us to check and assist you accordingly.
Regards,
The Travelstart Team
Travelstart's reply04 Feb 2020, 15:32
Official
Dear Jan R,
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.
We are sorry to hear you were not pleased with the service received.
Kindly send us a private response with your booking reference and contact details, in order for us to check and assist you accordingly.
Regards,
The Travelstart Team
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.
We are sorry to hear you were not pleased with the service received.
Kindly send us a private response with your booking reference and contact details, in order for us to check and assist you accordingly.
Regards,
The Travelstart Team
JR
Jan R's updateReviewer Update
04 Feb 2020, 15:52What is the point of sending a private response, my e-mails have not been rep**** to, look them up, if I am wrong you can tell the world I am a ****! You told me you recorded my calls so check those recordings! Why only offer to assist when I complain? ZA***0
It has been over a week since I have pushed for assistance, now I am fed-up, now I intend to warn as many people as possible about dealing with your shower.
If you want to rectify the problem then share it here, then I'll be impressed! Otherwise I intend to practice my author abilities and write some short stories in all forums available, maybe I'll get a book deal and buy my own jet rather than book through you! (The jet mention was a joke)
It has been over a week since I have pushed for assistance, now I am fed-up, now I intend to warn as many people as possible about dealing with your shower.
If you want to rectify the problem then share it here, then I'll be impressed! Otherwise I intend to practice my author abilities and write some short stories in all forums available, maybe I'll get a book deal and buy my own jet rather than book through you! (The jet mention was a joke)
JR
Jan R's update04 Feb 2020, 15:52
Reviewer Update
What is the point of sending a private response, my e-mails have not been rep**** to, look them up, if I am wrong you can tell the world I am a ****! You told me you recorded my calls so check those recordings! Why only offer to assist when I complain? ZA***0
It has been over a week since I have pushed for assistance, now I am fed-up, now I intend to warn as many people as possible about dealing with your shower.
If you want to rectify the problem then share it here, then I'll be impressed! Otherwise I intend to practice my author abilities and write some short stories in all forums available, maybe I'll get a book deal and buy my own jet rather than book through you! (The jet mention was a joke)
It has been over a week since I have pushed for assistance, now I am fed-up, now I intend to warn as many people as possible about dealing with your shower.
If you want to rectify the problem then share it here, then I'll be impressed! Otherwise I intend to practice my author abilities and write some short stories in all forums available, maybe I'll get a book deal and buy my own jet rather than book through you! (The jet mention was a joke)
Travelstart's replyOfficial
05 Feb 2020, 07:50Good morning Jan R
Could you please send us a private message (not a public reply) as numbers get encrypted and we are not able to read your booking number.
I will do my absolute best to try and resolve your issue, as soon as I can check your booking and see how we can assist you best. I am only able to do this once I can investigate where this all went wrong.
Could you please send us a private message (not a public reply) as numbers get encrypted and we are not able to read your booking number.
I will do my absolute best to try and resolve your issue, as soon as I can check your booking and see how we can assist you best. I am only able to do this once I can investigate where this all went wrong.
I do understand that you are quite frustrated, but please allow me the opportunity to try and turn this situation around. I await your soonest response.
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
Travelstart's reply05 Feb 2020, 07:50
Official
Good morning Jan R
Could you please send us a private message (not a public reply) as numbers get encrypted and we are not able to read your booking number.
I will do my absolute best to try and resolve your issue, as soon as I can check your booking and see how we can assist you best. I am only able to do this once I can investigate where this all went wrong.
Could you please send us a private message (not a public reply) as numbers get encrypted and we are not able to read your booking number.
I will do my absolute best to try and resolve your issue, as soon as I can check your booking and see how we can assist you best. I am only able to do this once I can investigate where this all went wrong.
I do understand that you are quite frustrated, but please allow me the opportunity to try and turn this situation around. I await your soonest response.
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
JR
Jan R's updateReviewer Update
05 Feb 2020, 10:31Hi Melony, Gwen confirmed yesterday that she had received my booking reference and would attend to it urgently (obviously traffic is bad or maybe it's the broken underwater Internet cables) as her urgent is different to my urgent. Yes, I was frustrated; I mm way past that now. I know I won't get to Cape Town in time and have resigned myself to that fact, but I have a lifetime ahead of me to complain about your "service" and if I even get one other person not to use you I'll be happy, you only respond now because it is a public forum, strange how my mails and calls didn't receive the same response. Strange how the promise of urgent attention made publicly has not resulted in any private correspondence. You charged me for a service I did not receive so I have every reason to complain.
JR
Jan R's update05 Feb 2020, 10:31
Reviewer Update
Hi Melony, Gwen confirmed yesterday that she had received my booking reference and would attend to it urgently (obviously traffic is bad or maybe it's the broken underwater Internet cables) as her urgent is different to my urgent. Yes, I was frustrated; I mm way past that now. I know I won't get to Cape Town in time and have resigned myself to that fact, but I have a lifetime ahead of me to complain about your "service" and if I even get one other person not to use you I'll be happy, you only respond now because it is a public forum, strange how my mails and calls didn't receive the same response. Strange how the promise of urgent attention made publicly has not resulted in any private correspondence. You charged me for a service I did not receive so I have every reason to complain.
JR
Jan R's updateReviewer Update
05 Feb 2020, 10:45It's very telling that these comments and Twitter receive quick replies yet mail and calls don't get the same attention! It shows you are more worried about your reputation than your customers (actually you don't worry at all about us), that is why my comments are all public, it's the only way I get a response. Not only that, you have now off loaded the problem onto the airline, how convenient!! Who knows, maybe I'll give up moaning in a few days, wouldn't that be nice... Or maybe I'll see how long I can keep up this complaint... Considering all the responses I've had it's clear that you aren't going to address the wrong booking, you are rather going to focus on trying to divert the real issue... No problem, carry on, the real issue is the booking you *****ed up and haven't rectified in 2 weeks. Guess what, if you can't rectify it because you didn't care at the time I informed you I can remind you about it daily. Maybe you should try and block me from this site or Twitter instead... Game on!
JR
Jan R's update05 Feb 2020, 10:45
Reviewer Update
It's very telling that these comments and Twitter receive quick replies yet mail and calls don't get the same attention! It shows you are more worried about your reputation than your customers (actually you don't worry at all about us), that is why my comments are all public, it's the only way I get a response. Not only that, you have now off loaded the problem onto the airline, how convenient!! Who knows, maybe I'll give up moaning in a few days, wouldn't that be nice... Or maybe I'll see how long I can keep up this complaint... Considering all the responses I've had it's clear that you aren't going to address the wrong booking, you are rather going to focus on trying to divert the real issue... No problem, carry on, the real issue is the booking you *****ed up and haven't rectified in 2 weeks. Guess what, if you can't rectify it because you didn't care at the time I informed you I can remind you about it daily. Maybe you should try and block me from this site or Twitter instead... Game on!
Travelstart's replyOfficial
05 Feb 2020, 12:45Good afternoon Jan
I have now spoken with Gwen who has given me your reference number. I have tried to reach you on the cellphone number in your booking (cell number ending in 0084) unfortunately to no avail.
After looking at the history of your booking, it is noted that you emailed us on the 26th January advising you booked to fly to Cape Town on Friday the 07th February at 15:25 but have received tickets from Kulula showing departure at 17:00.
Sheldon from our Schedule Changes team responded to you on the 27th January advising we are contacting the airline regarding the change to your flight.
Please be advised, the schedule change to your flight was done by the airline and not Travelstart and this is why we needed to contact them to get you back onto an earlier flight.
Please be advised, the schedule change to your flight was done by the airline and not Travelstart and this is why we needed to contact them to get you back onto an earlier flight.
The proposed flight Sheldon wanted to book you on, was to depart Johannesburg at 12:40 and to arrive in Cape Town at 14:50. He had sent this request to the airline on the same day (27th January). The airline responded to him on the same day, asking how they can assist and he again (on the 27th January) requested to change the 17:00 flight to 12:40.
As we had not heard back from the airline, we had sent a follow up email on the 29th January requesting their assistance once again to change the flight from 17:00 to 12:40. On the 29th January, the airline responded again asking how they can assist. This is where we went back and proposed the 12:40 flight again. We again did not receive feedback from the airline and sent another follow up message on the 31st January. They responded with the following : "Please advise us what is the problem with the booking?"
Sheldon asked if the passenger was aware of the changes made to the flight times and the response from the airline only states that they had sent an email stipulating the flight change details. By the time you had contacted us to advise of the tickets you received from Kulula, showing the new departure time, they had already confirmed the changes, updated the ticket and taken over the reservation. This is why we needed to email the airline requesting assistance to change your departure time back to an earlier flight.
We will still contact the airline to see if anything can be done to get you on an earlier flight to arrive in Cape Town before 18:00, however there is no guarantee. You will receive feedback before close of business today.
We do sincerely apologize for all the stress and inconvenience caused.
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
Travelstart's reply05 Feb 2020, 12:45
Official
Good afternoon Jan
I have now spoken with Gwen who has given me your reference number. I have tried to reach you on the cellphone number in your booking (cell number ending in 0084) unfortunately to no avail.
After looking at the history of your booking, it is noted that you emailed us on the 26th January advising you booked to fly to Cape Town on Friday the 07th February at 15:25 but have received tickets from Kulula showing departure at 17:00.
Sheldon from our Schedule Changes team responded to you on the 27th January advising we are contacting the airline regarding the change to your flight.
Please be advised, the schedule change to your flight was done by the airline and not Travelstart and this is why we needed to contact them to get you back onto an earlier flight.
Please be advised, the schedule change to your flight was done by the airline and not Travelstart and this is why we needed to contact them to get you back onto an earlier flight.
The proposed flight Sheldon wanted to book you on, was to depart Johannesburg at 12:40 and to arrive in Cape Town at 14:50. He had sent this request to the airline on the same day (27th January). The airline responded to him on the same day, asking how they can assist and he again (on the 27th January) requested to change the 17:00 flight to 12:40.
As we had not heard back from the airline, we had sent a follow up email on the 29th January requesting their assistance once again to change the flight from 17:00 to 12:40. On the 29th January, the airline responded again asking how they can assist. This is where we went back and proposed the 12:40 flight again. We again did not receive feedback from the airline and sent another follow up message on the 31st January. They responded with the following : "Please advise us what is the problem with the booking?"
Sheldon asked if the passenger was aware of the changes made to the flight times and the response from the airline only states that they had sent an email stipulating the flight change details. By the time you had contacted us to advise of the tickets you received from Kulula, showing the new departure time, they had already confirmed the changes, updated the ticket and taken over the reservation. This is why we needed to email the airline requesting assistance to change your departure time back to an earlier flight.
We will still contact the airline to see if anything can be done to get you on an earlier flight to arrive in Cape Town before 18:00, however there is no guarantee. You will receive feedback before close of business today.
We do sincerely apologize for all the stress and inconvenience caused.
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
Kind regards,
Melony at Travelstart
JR
Jan R's updateReviewer Update
05 Feb 2020, 13:19I'm impressed, a proper reply finally. Why couldn't any of this be intimated when I mailed and phoned?
You and I both know that nothing is going to change now...
You can't get hold of me by phone because I am travelling in Botswana currently.
I understand fully that the problem originates from Kulula but if you charge me for handling the booking I expect you to deal with such too. Kulula directly told me you are lying when I told them you are still waiting for a response from them, as the middleman I am stuck in a blame game between two companies that until now have shown a complete lack of interest.
So if I am a hot potato I plan to share the heat with anyone with a keen ear. Why should I keep quiet when I haven't received service, that's not the way it works unfortunately.
It does mean I have to change my complaints procedure now though as I have finally received a response.
You and I both know that nothing is going to change now...
You can't get hold of me by phone because I am travelling in Botswana currently.
I understand fully that the problem originates from Kulula but if you charge me for handling the booking I expect you to deal with such too. Kulula directly told me you are lying when I told them you are still waiting for a response from them, as the middleman I am stuck in a blame game between two companies that until now have shown a complete lack of interest.
So if I am a hot potato I plan to share the heat with anyone with a keen ear. Why should I keep quiet when I haven't received service, that's not the way it works unfortunately.
It does mean I have to change my complaints procedure now though as I have finally received a response.
JR
Jan R's update05 Feb 2020, 13:19
Reviewer Update
I'm impressed, a proper reply finally. Why couldn't any of this be intimated when I mailed and phoned?
You and I both know that nothing is going to change now...
You can't get hold of me by phone because I am travelling in Botswana currently.
I understand fully that the problem originates from Kulula but if you charge me for handling the booking I expect you to deal with such too. Kulula directly told me you are lying when I told them you are still waiting for a response from them, as the middleman I am stuck in a blame game between two companies that until now have shown a complete lack of interest.
So if I am a hot potato I plan to share the heat with anyone with a keen ear. Why should I keep quiet when I haven't received service, that's not the way it works unfortunately.
It does mean I have to change my complaints procedure now though as I have finally received a response.
You and I both know that nothing is going to change now...
You can't get hold of me by phone because I am travelling in Botswana currently.
I understand fully that the problem originates from Kulula but if you charge me for handling the booking I expect you to deal with such too. Kulula directly told me you are lying when I told them you are still waiting for a response from them, as the middleman I am stuck in a blame game between two companies that until now have shown a complete lack of interest.
So if I am a hot potato I plan to share the heat with anyone with a keen ear. Why should I keep quiet when I haven't received service, that's not the way it works unfortunately.
It does mean I have to change my complaints procedure now though as I have finally received a response.