Dr_Andrea

I booked a trip with a travel agent. The TA then negotiated the actual private tour with a tour company in the country we are traveling to. The itinerary that we confirmed stated that the flight returned to the US at 5:05pm on Tuesday. It turns out that I just looked at the issued tickets and we arrive at 5:05 am on Wednesday. Unfortunately, my husband must be at work for a court trial 9am on Wednesday. I have everything in writing that states in the itinerary that we are returning on Wednesday. Of course, the change in tickets is about $1400 and the extra hotel night with private guide is $650. I paid using a combo of check and credit card. Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they obligated to correct this mistake?

placeu2

<< I have everything in writing that states in the itinerary that we are returning on Wednesday.>>

So if the above is true, what is your complaint with the Travel Agent?

Dr_Andrea

Oops! I meant TUESDAY! Nothing in the itinerary says WEDNESDAY!

toedtoes

Have you spoken to the TA yet? Explain diplomatically that all your communications state 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday but the tickets show 5:05 a.m. on Wednesday and that you need the TA to correct the error at no cost to you. Be sure to state that the error was between the TA and the airline, and stay assertive but not agressive no matter how mad they make you. If you get nowhere with the TA, go up the chain of command.

If you have all the written documents stating Tuesday, then they should fix the error at no cost to you.

janisj

If you know it is the TA who screwed up - then the TA will fix it. Shouldn't be big deal (as long as there are seats available on the earlier flight)

One question tho' - when did you get the paper tix? If you got them a while ago and just now looked at them, then that may muddy thing up a bit since almost all docs will have some sort of boiler plate like "be sure to review . . . yada, yada . . . . ."

BeachBoi

DA...Travel agents are not "regulated".So I dont see any obligation factor here.How long have you had the "itinerary" that shows your arrival on Tuesday? And, how long have you had the "issued tickets" that show you returning on Wednesday morning?Its been my experience that if a mistake is noticed immediately, then it usually can be changed without too much of a hassle.But it sounds like your only recourse may be to pony up the change fees/extra costs and file a case in small claims court.Or, call judge Judy!!Seriously, if in fact the travel agent is in error, they should absorb the cost of the revisions.Whether they will or not, remains to be seen.Best of Luck and please report back.

Dr_Andrea

We actually left for vacation and before we took off, the TA said that she would pay the cost of changing the tickets so we return on Tuesday. She added that this was personally costing her $680. I emailed her back and thanked her for rectifying the situation and reminded her that we should be refunded the $600+_ for the night we cannot use. I told her that I would imagine that the tour company would refund the money given the situation. She said responded that she hoped they would and asked if we would apply the refund so she could pay the cost of the tickets. So essentially if we did, we would be paying to fix the mistake she made with no cost to her. That seems insane to me. So I wrote her back re-explaining that the tickets were issued before I ever saw them and that there was no way I could have prevented this from happening. I also added that my husband and I would be willing to split any refund we received from the tour company 50-50 with her as a courtesy. What do you guys think? If the tour company does not refund the money, what should I do about the lost $600+?

Abby43

She sounds like an idiot. I wouldn't compromise, get your money, and if she isn't the boss then I would tell her boss what she did so this doesn't happen to someone else. It sounds like you did everything right so don't split any money with her-it's her fault and you're being nice by not totally freaking out and getting litigous on her. Good luck!

NeoPatrick

Where did you find this woman? She has the nerve to bill herself as a travel agent?
You owe her nothing. She owes you a lot.

toedtoes

I agree. You shouldn't split any refund - her mistake her pocket. Not yours. Stay polite about it, and if she starts getting witchy about the money, call her employer. If she's self employed, you may have to be more forceful.

cajungirl

I've been a (mainly corporate) travel agent for almost 20 years. All travel agents who issue airline tickets must be bonded and must carry "errors and ommissions" insurance. A client should NEVER pay one penny for an agent's mistake.

janisj

Is she a REAL TA, or just someone who took a class to get travel perks??

I ask because every (real) TA I've ever used has had insurance for this sort of error. Something just seems really weird here . . . .

Dr_Andrea

Not only is a travel agent but she is listed in every travel magazine as the top agent. She is far from an idiot; she has been excellent up to this point. She has planned two complicated/exotic itineraries for me that went off without a hitch. I totally understand mistakes happen and would be more than willing to use her again if she resolves this appropriately. In fact, I don't mind splitting the fee to avoid damaging the relationship. However, I really don't want to be out $600+. That is a little too much. I also would emphasize that she was very nice about the whole thing on the phone. She wasn't rude or anything. but as I mentioned, I was a little surprised about asking to use the refund. I figured that they must have some type of insurance. She works for a huge travel company. Does that make a difference?

NeoPatrick

You are indeed right. This women is not an idiot. If everyhing you tell us is right, this woman has managed to make YOU feel responsible for what is clearly her fault. This woman is a BRILLIANT manipulator.

The bottom line? Yes, she does (or certainly should) have insurance to cover this. The problem? She has made a stupid blunder and perhaps doesn't want to get in trouble for it. It's time to call a spade a spade. Tell her you want your full refund. If you don't do that, please let me know. I have some swampland in Florida I can give you a good deal on. You're starting to sound like a woman who gets hit from the back by a drunk truck driver and so long as he is polite to you, you'd end up agreeing to pay for your own damage, because he is "so nice" about it.