I used CHEAPOAIR for the first time to book an international trip. Checking their prices and flights online, I found them competitive and with better options than other booking companies like Expedia and Priceline. After an hour on the phone with an agent, I was cut off right after providing my credit card information. Concerned, I called back immediately to confirm the booking details. I was told to wait for the agent to call me back. Then I got an email with my ticketing information – booked for the wrong day, as well as the wrong price. I thought this would be a simple matter to fix – especially seeing it was due to the agent’s error (a connecting flight had been booked two days BEFORE my international departure and the price charged was considerably above the listed price, even after taxes.). Cheapoair agents said the original flight, booked 10 minutes earlier was no longer available. They offered a series of differently priced tickets and flights, which I refused. When I asked to be connected with a supervisor and issued a refund I was told this was not possible. Additionally, I discovered the $50 advertised discount code and other ‘special promos’ in the ticket turned out to be toll-free numbers to a series of companies selling travel products entirely unrelated to the tickets and Cheapoair. An additional 40 minutes on the phone concluded with a ‘mail in rebate’ that was a fraction of the advertised discount. After several hours more on the phone, Cheapoair finally issued the correct tickets, but this was only after lengthy haggling and their refusal to cancel my booking. I guess they live up to their name. Nevertheless, I was dismayed by the level of both subtle and overt scamming and misrepresentation at work with this travel company. I will not be using Cheapoair to book any more flights. I would not recommend them to family or friends. Travelers should beware of Cheapoair and their shady business practices.
0 comments