Very unhappy with the online holiday company
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
November 19, 2016 2:17pm CST
Today I visited one of the holiday sites that I use quite often. For several years I have used this site and have booked literally dozens of holidays through them. Naturally I know the system very well by now.
First you select the flight, after which a list of available accommodation is listed. There is the option to choose additional requirements such as resort transfer and luggage etcetera, then you simply fill in your personal details and book the holiday.
On this occasion I entered my debit card details and submitted the booking and was informed that this constituted an application only. The on screen message informed me that someone would check the availability of the flights and accommodation and contact me within 48 hours.
I find this totally unacceptable because if the booking is unavailable I cannot look elsewhere before Monday. If the site is introducing this system then I should have been notified prior to submitting my payment details. I half expect to receive a telephone call on Monday offering me a similar booking for £50 to £60 more.
Nevertheless, whether the booking is accepted or not I shall be extremely reluctant to use this site again.
13 people like this
12 responses
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
19 Nov 16
I´m so sorry! Maybe this is a change in the management of the site or mybe it depends on the time of the year.
When we went for our vacations this year when all kids were in their holidays, I experienced problems that I had never had before in over 20 years of traveling. I told my daughter that the next time she should get a medical paper that the chidren had smallpox to give to the school and travel in a reasonable date.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Nov 16
It is certainly not a seasonal issue because I must have booked holidays for every month of the year at some time. The submission of the booking took me to a page displaying this information, so the company has clearly introduced a new approach.
This is unacceptable to me because if the booking is not available then I would simply look elsewhere, which I cannot do now until I find out about this one.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
19 Nov 16
@Asylum I would look elsewhere anyway and just not book so if it is unavailable or more expensive you know you have something else you can turn to.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Nov 16
@BelleStarr That is my complaint, the site waited until I had entered my debit card details before presenting this page. Now I cannot book elsewhere until I am notified about availability of this booking because if it is accepted then I will be charged.
It would be acceptable to be presented with such a message when the holiday was chosen, but not when they take payment first.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (24051)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 16
That is a bit out of order. I would go ahead and cancel it and book elsewhere! What a pain and how stupid.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Nov 16
@garymarsh6 No, it was On The Beach. I have used this site for years and had some excellent priced holidays. However, I have never had that message before.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24051)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 16
@Asylum I am glad you managed to book something. I don't suppose it was a company beginning with ex?
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
20 Nov 16
It's not the site for you, that's for sure. No, one must know immediately if the offer is accepted. It sounds like they are all about looking after themselves and not the user.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Nov 16
@Jeanniemaries When depends on the outcome of this booking, but I will certainly be going somewhere soon.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
20 Nov 16
@Asylum So where are you going? And are you going?
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
20 Nov 16
48 hours is too long to wait and leaves you hanging during the time.
1 person likes this
@kevinakash (2084)
• Sri Lanka
20 Nov 16
what a shame it is? i think the site must have changed their procedure they should have done it more politely not annoying usual customer.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
19 Nov 16
Why do business always change a good thing. It's like they haven't a clue.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Nov 16
@fishtiger58 I will be more inclined to simply not use the site again.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
20 Nov 16
@Asylum And I for one would tell them so.
1 person likes this
