So I wake up this morning feeling happy. I see that two of the tickets are refunded to my account as disputed. Yeah!
Then I see the same amount charged back to my account. Full amount of the tickets now...but instead of getting tickets from Airfare.com, I'm paying them an "AGENT'S FEE??????"
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?
I was ripped off $200 for following up on a request, and now I get to pay them $1580 for the pleasure of their time?
I can't wait to hear how these guys pulled that one on Chase. I'll definitely let you know.
Wednesday
Airfare.com Scammed the wrong Girl
Now I've had it.
I was mad. I was frustrated. I was downright pissed off that dealing with Airfare.com and their little credit card scam had taken up so much of my time.
But to respond to my request of completing the cancelation process by booking another set of tickets, putting a hold on even more money in my account--well, that not only says "Yeah. We admit it. We scammed you. And we have the power to do it again, so shut up."
So now I don't even have the right to request to resolve the matter? If I try I can expect to see reserves put on my account from time to time?
Did you know?
Technically you can't file a complaint unless the charge goes through. Meaning your card can be "charged" so the amount is held out of your account (frozen from your account so you can't use it) until the vendor places a final charge. Eventually, if the actual charge is not entered, the bank drops the reserve. But in the mean time, you can't use your money.
I don't know about all of you, but I don't typically have enough cash laying around to purchase a pair tickets to Europe every couple of days or so.
Nor do I like the fact that perhaps my car payment won't go through one day. Or my mortgage.
And canceling the card wasn't fun either. I had a lot of online bill pays, auto bill pays, pending charges in place...you know. People I had to now contact and tell them-
"yeah. you know that bill I just paid? Well...um that charge isn't going to clear. So, yeah..."
So here we are. Me and the rest of the world. If you have ever purchased tickets from Airfare.com and this story sounds familiar- post it.
If you had the same thing happen, Post. it. Hopefully enough of you will tell your stories to alert people not to be responsible when that request for paperwork comes through. It'll cost you.
Or book in the first place.
I was mad. I was frustrated. I was downright pissed off that dealing with Airfare.com and their little credit card scam had taken up so much of my time.
But to respond to my request of completing the cancelation process by booking another set of tickets, putting a hold on even more money in my account--well, that not only says "Yeah. We admit it. We scammed you. And we have the power to do it again, so shut up."
So now I don't even have the right to request to resolve the matter? If I try I can expect to see reserves put on my account from time to time?
Did you know?
Technically you can't file a complaint unless the charge goes through. Meaning your card can be "charged" so the amount is held out of your account (frozen from your account so you can't use it) until the vendor places a final charge. Eventually, if the actual charge is not entered, the bank drops the reserve. But in the mean time, you can't use your money.
I don't know about all of you, but I don't typically have enough cash laying around to purchase a pair tickets to Europe every couple of days or so.
Nor do I like the fact that perhaps my car payment won't go through one day. Or my mortgage.
And canceling the card wasn't fun either. I had a lot of online bill pays, auto bill pays, pending charges in place...you know. People I had to now contact and tell them-
"yeah. you know that bill I just paid? Well...um that charge isn't going to clear. So, yeah..."
So here we are. Me and the rest of the world. If you have ever purchased tickets from Airfare.com and this story sounds familiar- post it.
If you had the same thing happen, Post. it. Hopefully enough of you will tell your stories to alert people not to be responsible when that request for paperwork comes through. It'll cost you.
Or book in the first place.
Airfare.com Scam Alert
Online Airfare Travel Scam Uncovered
Unsuspecting Airline Ticket Holders Bullied Into Keeping Tickets From Airfare.com Call for Victims to Join Pending Class Action Suit
A call for other victims of Airfare.com is being made. If you were a victim of this scam, please send your story and verifiable information to: airfaredotcomscam@gmail.com
Information is being gathered for a pending class action suit and your case will be followed up on when an attorney has been chosen.
Sunday
Airfare.com Scam Double Dipping
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse.
I have been working with Chase Bank and Swiss Air. Every one is aware of what's going on.
Swiss Air informs me that Airfare.com did void the reservation, but didn't fully remove it from the system and it was still causing issues in Swiss Air's system.
So, I'm already on slow boil here. But, no worries right? My account is safe, my trip is safe... all I have to do is send another email requesting that Airfare.com fully remove the reservation from the system as it was causing issues with Swiss Airs booking system. I requested verification by close of business that day because quite frankly I was sick and tired of this whole thing.
With Swiss Air being so helpful with this situation, I just wanted to return the favor- you know?
When the end of the day came and I did not get a reply, I sent Swiss Air a note telling them I hadn't received a reply from Airfare.com. I asked if there was another party I could contact to help and waited for their reply.
The next morning I awoke to a shock. Not only did Airfare.com charge me for the first set of tickets without permission, they decided to reply to my request to complete the void process by booking me a second set of tickets!
YEP. They're screwing with me like this is some kind of joke.
Personally, I don't see the humor in reserving 6 seats for a flight under my name, committing credit card fraud and screwing up another corporation's booking system, wasting Chase Bank's time trying to resolve the situation, reconcile the account, cancel the credit card and all my time dealing with it either.
Again, let me reiterate, my only crime here was to respond to their request for my credit card information.
I had never requested anything from Airfare.com until they began charging me for things they had no right to. And even then, I only requested them to remove the reservation and finish the void process they had started in the reservation system for Swiss Air.
But this next round of fraud...that's another matter entirely. Happy Valentine's Day.
I have been working with Chase Bank and Swiss Air. Every one is aware of what's going on.
Swiss Air informs me that Airfare.com did void the reservation, but didn't fully remove it from the system and it was still causing issues in Swiss Air's system.
So, I'm already on slow boil here. But, no worries right? My account is safe, my trip is safe... all I have to do is send another email requesting that Airfare.com fully remove the reservation from the system as it was causing issues with Swiss Airs booking system. I requested verification by close of business that day because quite frankly I was sick and tired of this whole thing.
With Swiss Air being so helpful with this situation, I just wanted to return the favor- you know?
When the end of the day came and I did not get a reply, I sent Swiss Air a note telling them I hadn't received a reply from Airfare.com. I asked if there was another party I could contact to help and waited for their reply.
The next morning I awoke to a shock. Not only did Airfare.com charge me for the first set of tickets without permission, they decided to reply to my request to complete the void process by booking me a second set of tickets!
YEP. They're screwing with me like this is some kind of joke.
Personally, I don't see the humor in reserving 6 seats for a flight under my name, committing credit card fraud and screwing up another corporation's booking system, wasting Chase Bank's time trying to resolve the situation, reconcile the account, cancel the credit card and all my time dealing with it either.
Again, let me reiterate, my only crime here was to respond to their request for my credit card information.
I had never requested anything from Airfare.com until they began charging me for things they had no right to. And even then, I only requested them to remove the reservation and finish the void process they had started in the reservation system for Swiss Air.
But this next round of fraud...that's another matter entirely. Happy Valentine's Day.
Friday
What the? Airfare.com Scam
What the? I thought this was all settled. Chase and I were on a 3 way call with Airfare.com. They were caught in the scam and the reservation was canceled. The charge didn't go through. Whew. Over.
BUT now I have a confirmation for two new tickets for a new flight and new charges...with the old reservation number they said was canceled.
Yep. The one Swiss Air dropped because of "missing paperwork"
Yep. They one they tried to charge me and extra $1000 because the price went up.
YEP! the one that didn't EXIST anymore and I had to pay $200 to REBOOK A NEW RESERVATION with a NEW RESERVATION NUMBER.
So, I ask you. How is it that this non-existant, canceled reservation shows up, unscathed? Hmmm.
Well first, let me say they think they have the right to go back and rebook this flight and recharge the credit card without authorization or knowledge of the cardholder. They claim it's because it's the reservation in the system that was made, so they can because it was there in the first place. "they have a no cancelation policy."
huh?
Like when you're learning to play checkers with your Grandpa and you realize that move you just made will make you lose the game...so Grandpa winks at you and says "do overs"? Like that??
I'm pretty sure when you get caught committing credit card fraud, you don't get "do overs"
"eh. Well, we tried doubling the price of her tickets, right? Let's call it a day. Oh- hey. Don't forget to re-create the first reservation. At least we get to keep something, right? Hahaha."
Ok. So it's almost funny how stupid that logic is. Until you see the balance on your bank account.
BUT now I have a confirmation for two new tickets for a new flight and new charges...with the old reservation number they said was canceled.
Yep. The one Swiss Air dropped because of "missing paperwork"
Yep. They one they tried to charge me and extra $1000 because the price went up.
YEP! the one that didn't EXIST anymore and I had to pay $200 to REBOOK A NEW RESERVATION with a NEW RESERVATION NUMBER.
So, I ask you. How is it that this non-existant, canceled reservation shows up, unscathed? Hmmm.
Well first, let me say they think they have the right to go back and rebook this flight and recharge the credit card without authorization or knowledge of the cardholder. They claim it's because it's the reservation in the system that was made, so they can because it was there in the first place. "they have a no cancelation policy."
huh?
Like when you're learning to play checkers with your Grandpa and you realize that move you just made will make you lose the game...so Grandpa winks at you and says "do overs"? Like that??
I'm pretty sure when you get caught committing credit card fraud, you don't get "do overs"
"eh. Well, we tried doubling the price of her tickets, right? Let's call it a day. Oh- hey. Don't forget to re-create the first reservation. At least we get to keep something, right? Hahaha."
Ok. So it's almost funny how stupid that logic is. Until you see the balance on your bank account.
Thursday
Airfare.com Same tickets twice the price
This is a mess.
Airfare.com won't respond to me.
So, I call Swiss Air. I at least wanted to alert them that now there are two sets of tickets under our names. I didn't want them to end up scammed too. It's not their fault either.
The people at Swiss Air are awesome! (No I don't work for them, have not received money, compensation or anything. I just give credit where it's due.)
This is when I find out...
wait for it...
can you guess???
My first reservation was there all along. ok. pull your jaw up. That's right. Swiss Air never dropped the reservation.
Meaning-when I called concerned that they needed more from me and not wanting anything more from them--not a refund, price reduction, change of date, time or anything...
when I called, my tickets were always there. They just decided to see if they could get me to pay more for them that day. What the???
They charged me $200 because I followed up on an "urgent message regarding travel with Airfare.com"
Yes. You read that right.
It cost me $200 to make sure they had everything they needed from me after I had already bought the tickets.
And when I caught them, Chase Bank notified them the charge was not valid, and the reservation was canceled, they think it's reasonable to assume I would still assume it's business as usual. Therefore, they have every right to reinstate the first reservation that was made and charge the first amount.
(oh-the other loop hole they have is "they have the right to change your tickets at anytime" so your non-stop can end up a 3 stop, and your 5 hour flight could take 3 days. If you prepaid for the hotels, you're out that $ too.)
Back to the story:
Let's take the Airfare.com out of the equation and just talk about service agreements and reasonable expectations.
Ok. So I hire a guy to mow my lawn. The guy tries to rob me. I don't happen to have any money in my purse that day, just a credit card. The cops catch him, he gives back the card. The guy shows up for work the next day, cuts the lawn while I'm not home, then thinks since I hired him for the job and technically didn't "fire him" when he got arrested, he should get paid for the work I didn't ask him to do that day, so he deserves to take the credit card and gets to take it back?
Yes it is the same thing. Once this company committed fraud, I don't care what "agreement" is on the website, it is not reasonable to assume I should continue the relationship with this company who both has my credit card and has the power to mess up my travel plans at any time. No one in their right mind would turn around and re-book with an airline company who just held their vacation ransom, was caught and risk it happening again.
Do you agree?
Airfare.com won't respond to me.
So, I call Swiss Air. I at least wanted to alert them that now there are two sets of tickets under our names. I didn't want them to end up scammed too. It's not their fault either.
The people at Swiss Air are awesome! (No I don't work for them, have not received money, compensation or anything. I just give credit where it's due.)
This is when I find out...
wait for it...
can you guess???
My first reservation was there all along. ok. pull your jaw up. That's right. Swiss Air never dropped the reservation.
Meaning-when I called concerned that they needed more from me and not wanting anything more from them--not a refund, price reduction, change of date, time or anything...
when I called, my tickets were always there. They just decided to see if they could get me to pay more for them that day. What the???
They charged me $200 because I followed up on an "urgent message regarding travel with Airfare.com"
Yes. You read that right.
It cost me $200 to make sure they had everything they needed from me after I had already bought the tickets.
And when I caught them, Chase Bank notified them the charge was not valid, and the reservation was canceled, they think it's reasonable to assume I would still assume it's business as usual. Therefore, they have every right to reinstate the first reservation that was made and charge the first amount.
(oh-the other loop hole they have is "they have the right to change your tickets at anytime" so your non-stop can end up a 3 stop, and your 5 hour flight could take 3 days. If you prepaid for the hotels, you're out that $ too.)
Back to the story:
Let's take the Airfare.com out of the equation and just talk about service agreements and reasonable expectations.
Ok. So I hire a guy to mow my lawn. The guy tries to rob me. I don't happen to have any money in my purse that day, just a credit card. The cops catch him, he gives back the card. The guy shows up for work the next day, cuts the lawn while I'm not home, then thinks since I hired him for the job and technically didn't "fire him" when he got arrested, he should get paid for the work I didn't ask him to do that day, so he deserves to take the credit card and gets to take it back?
Yes it is the same thing. Once this company committed fraud, I don't care what "agreement" is on the website, it is not reasonable to assume I should continue the relationship with this company who both has my credit card and has the power to mess up my travel plans at any time. No one in their right mind would turn around and re-book with an airline company who just held their vacation ransom, was caught and risk it happening again.
Do you agree?
Tuesday
Airfare.com Wants My Credit Card Again
I got an email asking for my credit card information again. I had purchased two tickets to Switzerland for our trip in May. We were excited to go because we work non-stop and the only time we stop is when we actually leave.
I was worried that this might be a third party piggy back scam, where my email address was found with a confirmation from Airfare.com and wanted to verify that the request was real, as I had already provided this information.
When I called, the man said he was sorry but because they didn't have this form, Swiss Air canceled our seats. Now our tickets would be $500 more because the tickets went up. Well, of course I freaked.
Once I composed myself, I went on airfare.com's website and saw the tickets for my flight were actually $40 CHEAPER than I paid. So I argued that if that's the case, he should rebook those tickets. I was transferred to the manager.
The manager told me that because Swiss Air canceled my flight, they had to charge me $200 to rebook the tickets. It's in the agreement that they can charge to change the tickets. I didn't think it was fair because I wasn't changing the tickets, nor was I aware of the tickets being canceled. If they hadn't received the paper work, why would they wait until AFTER they canceled my trip to notify me of the situation and why was this not mentioned anywhere in the agreement. Besides, it's not my job to watch over their employees and make sure they file things correctly!
I could not reason with them and I didn't have any choice but to work with them. They had a "no return policy" and I had purchased the tickets.
Then the scam bells went off.
I was instructed to stay on the line if I wanted to keep this "special price" because international change fees are more. He was going to send me an email. When I got the email I was to type EXACTLY what he said and email it back to him.
Righhhhhht. And I was born yesterday. I didn't type in the part about him being able to charge the card.
oops.
Well. he did. Chase made him take it off. He did.
Swiss Air was selling the tickets for the same price. I was able to get the same flight, same time, days and everything! Lesson learned. Buy directly with the people who are going to take you there.
I was worried that this might be a third party piggy back scam, where my email address was found with a confirmation from Airfare.com and wanted to verify that the request was real, as I had already provided this information.
When I called, the man said he was sorry but because they didn't have this form, Swiss Air canceled our seats. Now our tickets would be $500 more because the tickets went up. Well, of course I freaked.
Once I composed myself, I went on airfare.com's website and saw the tickets for my flight were actually $40 CHEAPER than I paid. So I argued that if that's the case, he should rebook those tickets. I was transferred to the manager.
The manager told me that because Swiss Air canceled my flight, they had to charge me $200 to rebook the tickets. It's in the agreement that they can charge to change the tickets. I didn't think it was fair because I wasn't changing the tickets, nor was I aware of the tickets being canceled. If they hadn't received the paper work, why would they wait until AFTER they canceled my trip to notify me of the situation and why was this not mentioned anywhere in the agreement. Besides, it's not my job to watch over their employees and make sure they file things correctly!
I could not reason with them and I didn't have any choice but to work with them. They had a "no return policy" and I had purchased the tickets.
Then the scam bells went off.
I was instructed to stay on the line if I wanted to keep this "special price" because international change fees are more. He was going to send me an email. When I got the email I was to type EXACTLY what he said and email it back to him.
Righhhhhht. And I was born yesterday. I didn't type in the part about him being able to charge the card.
oops.
Well. he did. Chase made him take it off. He did.
Swiss Air was selling the tickets for the same price. I was able to get the same flight, same time, days and everything! Lesson learned. Buy directly with the people who are going to take you there.
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