Travelstart Daylight Robbery

Zellephant said:
This generally doesnt work anymore. A few years back you could make changes direct with the airline if you booked with a third party, but not anymore (at least not in my experience the last 3 years with Emirates, Qatar, Kenyan Airways, Swissair and British Airways).
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Booked a return flight with Qatar through Travelstart in mid 2023, I was able to change the return flight on the app after I landed the other side and extend my stay. Was no need to get Travelstart involved, did it directly with Qatar.
 
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Zellephant said:
This generally doesnt work anymore. A few years back you could make changes direct with the airline if you booked with a third party, but not anymore (at least not in my experience the last 3 years with Emirates, Qatar, Kenyan Airways, Swissair and British Airways).

You can make seat changes but that is about it, anything else they refer you back to the travel agent you booked through, and Travelstart is just an online travel agent.

There is really very little reason to book with Travelstart though. They have by far the worst customer service of any company in the travel industry. They are virtually impossible to get hold of in an emergency, and they are seldom if ever significantly cheaper than booking direct with the airlines themselves. The only time they are a little bit convienient is if you want to structure an itinerary with flights from multiple airlines. But after the trouble I had with travel start during the COVID lockdowns, I won’t even use them for that. I will just book individual flights directly with the airlines.

Travelstart used to be a good place to check all the various options for a specific route, but Google Flights is better than them for that, and gives you multiple options of where to book the tickets for the best possible price. But unless the saving is massive, it’s still better to just book direct with the airline.
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I don't see why that would be the case though because you are the airlines customer and the more direct anything is the better for the airline?
 
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I stopped having anything to do with them when I saw they wanted a mandatory "booking fee"
 
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I really don't see how this is their problem. I used them to book my partner's tickets to East London for December. Made sure with him he is happy with dates etc because I knew changing it would be a issue. FlySafair their and Cemair back. No issues with either flight. Date changes, visa delays...first one you pay for and second....well...that is not their issue really.
 
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Snyper564 said:
Hellopeter is full of horror stories.

View attachment 1785498

I almost gave them a chance after waiting more than an hour to connect to someone I decided any saving was not worth it.

Also VISA processing problems are a YOU problem and not Travelstart problem any airline would give you the same issue. You booked for a certain time couldt make it work not their problem.

Not something you might want to hear but thats the reality. CHEAP FLIGHTS MEAN NO FREE DATE CHANGES THATS THE RISK (gamble) YOU TAKE...

Travel insurance wouldnt even cover you.

You are wasting your time pursuing the matter any further.

My other question is this the first time you are flying international? Simply not worth saving a few k at the expense of a few R10ks....

My question is what were you expecting? A free change of date? Your terms set out that any change would be subject to charges. Cancellation for free? Only on expensive tickets.

Its kek what happened I dont deny that but you have ZERO recourse unless they did something that you did not sign up for.
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Hi,I've traveled internationally before but this was my first and probably last time using a travel agent.Thanks for your response.
 
TEXTILE GUY said:
Hello, welcome to mybb. This be your first .... and I would wager .... last post.

I see your post on Tripadvisor .... your copy and paste skills are amazing:love:

Anyhow, seeing as you are on Tripadvisor, page 21, I suggest you read the previous 20 pages ... before you pay for a ticket without a visa.

Have a nice day.

View attachment 1785507
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Hi,I’m always optimistic about my VISA being accepted in time-its an issue I will work on…Thanks for your response.
 
RAR said:
Hi,I've traveled internationally before but this was my first and probably last time using a travel agent.Thanks for your response.
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The airline would have given you the same issue, the travel agent is not an issue

You bought a cheap ticket changes cost money with or without an agent....
 
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SauRoNZA said:
Willing to bet OP didn’t have a passport to start with and then left it to the last minute and is now trying to blame everyone else.

Classic case of T&C’s failure and taking the cheapest deal.
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Hi, had my second passport for a few years now.Thanks for your response
 
AfricanTech said:
Boggles my mind that people complain when the T&C's kick in (especially on 'bargain' items)

Then they go all PSA - WARNING: The milk expiry date on the bottle was 01 Jan! I opened it on 02 Jan AND IT WAS SOUR!! Boycott [insert name here]

Dearie me...
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I think you can make paneer from it...
 
TEXTILE GUY said:
Hello, welcome to mybb. This be your first .... and I would wager .... last post.

I see your post on Tripadvisor .... your copy and paste skills are amazing:love:

Anyhow, seeing as you are on Tripadvisor, page 21, I suggest you read the previous 20 pages ... before you pay for a ticket without a visa.

Have a nice day.

View attachment 1785507
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While I can’t type well, I’d say my IT skills are average😜
 
RAR said:
Hi,I've traveled internationally before but this was my first and probably last time using a travel agent.Thanks for your response.
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You think it would've been any different without an agent involved?
 
Speedster said:
You think it would've been any different without an agent involved?
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Yes I've managed my travels directly with airlines before and 90% have been more reasonable than this experience with Travelstart as the go-between...
 
RedViking said:
Unfortunately changing or cancelling booking dates cost a lot on cheap and bargain bookings. That is how they nail you. This will be part of the "hidden" conditions (See fine print). Also note that luggage requirements are severely limited or excluded and will cost you as well. So is refreshments and meals. At least you got a bargain Gal Gadot (or whoever you are using as a profile pic. )
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Agreed and It's AI + I=pic😁
 
RAR said:
Yes I've managed my travels directly with airlines before and 90% have been more reasonable than this experience with Travelstart as the go-between...
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Um you would have had the same experience unless you bought a certain category ticket..
 
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