ebookers flight booking on the web (Flightbookers)

Member Name: badbadger

Product:	Flightbookers
Date:	05/04/06 (573 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: This should have been a breeze as it is with ryanair and others it was a nightmare

Disadvantages: the staff i spoke were not trained and did not know what they were doing

I booked two air tickets from UK to Geneva on British Airways through ebookers. I wanted to book one from London and one from Manchester using my debitcard. I was told that the card used to buy the tickets would have to be produced at the airport with the electronic ticket or a waiver from ebookers or the passenger would not be allowed to travel. The waiver could not be provided by ebookers. They kept sending me blank emails which was supposed to be the waiver form. Not being able to be in two places at once and fearing the passenger travelling from London would not be allowed to travel I changed my plans and arranged to travel from London too. (I had to buy a rail ticket from Manchester to London)! Once I had done this I contacted ebookers again and was told the advice I had been given was nonsense and that the debit card was not needed at the aiport. The London passenger subsequently dropped out. I asked ebookers to cancel his ticket. They said that there was no refund on BA tickets. However if I paid them 35£ in advance I would be given a refund of 42£ (7£ net). I declined their generous and puzzling offer. At no time was I told in advance that BA did not give refunds or that ebookers wanted 35£ to cancel. I lost 115£ but worst of all it was the most negative experience i have had on the web. I have been buying airtickets and arranging holidays on the net for years and I have never experienced anything like this. The links on the ebookers web site don't work. When you ring them, the staff are polite but clueless. (with one notable exception). I am fearful that there may be a problem with the ticket i have. that worry will remain until i get to Heathrow on the 20th May. The language on the ticket is confusing and appears to be contradictory. My advice is do not book air tickets through ebookers. Book direct with the carrier. I have raised the above issues several times by email with ebookers but have never had a acknowlegement, reply or a telephone call. Beware you have been warned.

Summary: Don't buy air tickets through ebookers it is a nightmare. Book through the airline.