Travel Complaints
There are various modes of transportation in India be it through air, sea or land. Indian transportation, due to its immense population, is one of the most widely used in the world.
For traveling within India people generally prefer to rent a car or travel via train or bus as they deem convenient. Ola and Uber are prime examples of this. These startups have skyrocketed and are one of most used traveling apps in the India.
Meanwhile, many people prefer to travel via plane as it saves times. For this they either book the ticket through the website directly or look for agents to do the same.
Apart from big names there are some private travel agencies in Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata etc, which try to lure customers by offering them lucrative discounts. Travel agent frauds are quite prevalent in India. The most common travel agent/agency complaints include refund not provided, hotel denying check-in, fake promises etc.
Travel complaints have a sense of urgency and responsibility attached to them because no one wants to board a late flight or wants to stay in low-quality hotel.
We all want our travels and trips to be smooth right from the beginning. And if something does not go as per our expectations, the mood gets spoiled!
Therefore, it brings a significant responsibility on the shoulders of the travel companies to solve the issues faced by their customers. One should only book their hotels/flights via trustworthy sites to avoid getting duped. However, sometimes even these reputed travel companies commit an error.
In this article, we have covered the common travel complaints that are faced by customers and how you can resolve them.
But first lets check out the famous travel companies in India
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<p class="artpara" style="color:#D0021B !important;font-size:1.5em;margin-top:-30px !important;"><b>Famous Travel Companies in India</b></p>
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<b>1. Make My Trip</b>
Make my Trip is one of the leading online travel companies in India. In 2000 it was founded by Deepak Kalra and had its headquarters in Gurugram, Haryana.
They have more than 14 company-owned travel stores in India and have over 30 franchisee-owned travel stores in India. They also have offices in Dubai, Phuket, Bangkok, New York, Kuala, and Lumpur.
<b>2. Yatra:</b>
Founded by Manish Amin, Sabina Chopra, and Dhruv Shringi in 2006, Yatra.com is the pre-eminent Indian online travel agency. It is based in Gurugram, Haryana. According to the sources in 2012, Yatra became the second-largest online travel service provider company in India.
<b>3. OYO:</b>
Oyo rooms, popularly known as Oyo hotels and rooms and stylized as OYO, is the fastest and largest growing hospitality chain in India. They worked on the franchising and leased system, which fortunately turned out to be the best for the company. Founded by Ritesh Agarwal in 2013, OYO gained much popularity right from the beginning.
<b>4. GOIBIBO:</b>
Subsidiary of Make My Trip Limited, Mauritius Ibibo, is a travel organization in 2006 by Ashish Kashyap. In 2013 Goibibo made it among the top five most trusted e-commerce brands in India.
<b>5. HappyEasyGo:</b>
Happy Easy Go is one of the emerging online travel company founded by Boris Zha in 2017. In 2019 it became the second-largest online travel booking platform in India and had more than 10 million customer bases all over the world. It has its headquarters in Gurugram, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and Singapore. During late 2018 HappyEasyGo established its hotel business.
<b>6. Thomas Cook:</b>
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd has its headquarters in Mumbai and caters to all the travel related requirements from visas to foreign exchange. They established themselves in India in 1881 and expanded its business to all the nearby countries.
<b>7. Clear Trip:</b>
Clear Trip earlier was known as Clear Trip Travel Services Private limited is a universal online travel company established in 2016. It has its headquarters in Dubai and Mumbai. In India, they started with a vision of making travel simple by bridging the gap between the Indian hospitality and travel sector. It was founded as an air and hotel aggregator by Stuart Crighton, Mathew Spacie, and Hrush Bhatt.
<b>8. Travel Guru:</b>
Travel Guru is India’s leading and growing travel website. It offers flights, holiday packages, and hotels at the best prices; they aim to make your trip smooth and convenient.
<b>9. Travel Triangle:</b>
Founded by three IIT graduates Sanchit Garg, Prabhat Gupta, and Sankalp Agarwal. It is India’s first fully stacked Holiday Marketplace that connects verified travel agents and travelers. It was founded in 2011 and competed with companies such as Thrillophilia. It is a platform that is trusted by many.
<b>10. Travelocity India:</b>
It is rated as one of the best online travel portals in the world and perfectly caters to the local needs of the people by launching specialized programs. In India, they cater to both business and leisure requirements.
<p class="artpara" style="color:#D0021B !important;font-size:1.5em;margin-top:-30px !important;"><b>Types of Travel Complaints</b></p>
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<b>1. Tickets canceled, but money is not refunded:</b>
One of the significant problems that are being faced by customers of major travel companies is that they cancel the tickets, but money is not credited to their bank account. This is the most common issue faced by almost all the consumers in cities like Pune, Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.
During COVID-19 times, many have reported on the internet that they have booked tickets, and they got canceled due to the pandemic. However, the companies did not refund the amount. Either they are saying that they have refunded the amount, or instead, they are offering a credit voucher.
<b>2. No refund for flights canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic:</b>
Due to the global pandemic, suddenly, flights were canceled. It was reported by customers of many major travel companies that they did not get their refund; however, the airlines did return the full booking amount. Many customers were upset because the travel companies did not inform them about the refund from the airlines.
<b>3. Partial refund for the flights canceled due to COVID-19:</b>
Many customers reported that they did not receive the full amount of flights they booked pre-corona. However, airlines have refunded the entire amount, but travel companies did not credit the whole amount; instead, they deducted a certain amount without giving any valid reason.
<b>4. No refund against booked packages:</b>
Many planned trips in June assuming that pandemic will end, but in the wake of current times, still, the tourism industry is on hold.
As people booked packages for traveling and now are requesting for a refund, but many companies are simply denying it.
However, many customers are disturbed with it because, in these uncertain times, they are struggling so much to get their refund.
<b>5. Unable to connect with customer care service:</b>
Many customers from significant travel companies face this very issue when they contact the customer care, they are not entertained, or their complaints are not correctly handled.
Many faced this particular issue while they were contacting the customer care, and their complaints were not appropriately welcomed or they were not able to connect with them.
<b>6. Fraudulent booking agents:</b>
Many travel companies have their booking agents, but some fraudsters just dive in and cheat people.
Many customers from significant companies, including Make My Trip and Yatra complained that they had been cheated by fraudsters in the name of these companies, and they have demanded a refund from the company.
<b>7. Rescheduling of flights due to COVID-19:</b>
Due to Corona pandemic, many people had to reschedule their flights, but travel companies are not helping them or are not considering their request.
<b>8. Over billing by travel companies:</b>
The most common types of complaints regarding Ola and Uber include over billing issues and not returning the left item in the cab. But you can try contacting the customer care number of Ola which is 098842437 and customer care of Uber which is 1300091272.
<p class="artpara" style="color:#D0021B !important;font-size:1.5em;margin-top:-30px !important;"><b>How to resolve travel complaints?</b></p>
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<b>1. File support ticket/send an email:</b>
You can always contact travel companies through their official website by going to their contact us section and by sending them an email. Customer service emails of some leading travel companies are:
Yatra- support@yatra.com
Make My Trip- care@makemytrip.com
Happy Easy Go- cs@happyeasygo.com
Clear Trip- customersupport@cleartrip.com
Goibibo- travel@goibibo.com
Travel guru- service@travelguru.com
<b>2. Call Customer support:</b>
One of the perfect ways to directly come in contact with the travel company is by contacting it through phone call for customer support. All these well-known travel companies have a 24*7 working customer care number which helps in resolving complaints as they value customer feedback. The customer care number of some of the leading travel agencies and hospitality companies in India are :
Cox and Kings Customer Care Number - 1800 209 0400
Thomas Cook Customer Care Number - 1800 209 9100
Club Mahindra Holidays Customer Care Number - 044 6695 3435
Expedia Customer Care Number – 800-319-4834
Yatra Customer Care Number - 0124 3040500
Goibibo Customer Care Number - 1800 208 1060
Makemytrip Customer Care Number - 1800 102 8747
Travelguru Customer Care Number - +91 92111 77444
Oyo Customer Care Number - 093139 31393
RedBus Customer Care Number - 1860 121 2102
<b>3. Report to the airlines/hotel directly:</b>
As we have seen above, many customers have reported that the airlines and hotels have issued a refund, but the travel companies have not refunded the money in the bank accounts. It is always better to contact the airlines or hotels directly if the companies don’t issue a refund by time. You can contact the airlines and hotels by calling them on their customer care number or by sending the email.
<b>4. Send Legal Notice:</b>
Consumers can send legal notices to travel company in case it is unable to resolve his complaint. It is one of the efficient ways to handle the issue legally. Check below to know how to send a legal notice to travel company?
Step 1: Firstly, get a legal notice drafted by a lawyer.
Step 2: Check it properly and make sure it is signed by lawyer.
Step 3: Keep a copy of it for future purposes.
Step 4: Send the legal notice to travel company by registered post.
Step 5: Keep the slip or delivery report for evidence.
<b>5. File consumer forum case:</b>
Consumer forum deals with consumer complaints and you should approach consumer forum if you feel that your rights as a consumer have been violated.
If travel company is not responding to your complaints even after sending legal notice by a lawyer then you should file a case against it in a consumer court.
Here is <b>how you can file a case in the consumer court?</b>
Step 1: Intimate the aggrieved party via legal notice.
Step 2: Draft the consumer complaint
Step 3: Attach all the relevant documents and proofs to support your complaint.
Step 4: Select the appropriate court for filing the complaint.
Step 5: Pay the prescribed court fee that is required to be paid along with the complaint.
Step 6: Submit the case along with the affidavit & fees in the court.
If you feel uncomfortable doing all this yourself, then you should use Voxya to <a href="https://voxya.com/file-consumer-complaint?ref=onlComp">file a complaint against travel company</a>. We will send Legal Notice and prepare Case for filing in consumer court. We, at Voxya, are generally receiving more than 100 travel consumer complaints every month.
Most Common Issue Reported for Travel Complaints
Complaints
Refund not processed for failed booking (Goibibo India Private Limited) Open
I booked a flight ticket on **/*/** using the goibibo app. The ticket could not get generated despite the confirmation of payment. Even after several complaints and mails, they are not processing the refund even after almost *.* months....
May 27, 2019 by Awanish pandey
Deny in check in and money not refunded even after defined TAT (Oyo) Open
I have to visit Bhubaneshwar on **th May **** along with family. I have booked hotel Trumiph Inn through Oyo prior * month from the date of visit and paid all amount in advance. When we reached at site property manager deny for check-in and sai...
May 26, 2019 by Amitesh Sharma
No refund against cancellation (Oyo) Open
I had gone through the cancellation policy before making payment. It was showing that cancellation can be done before **th May **** to get the refund. After making the payment I got a confirmation mail from OYO. But it was shown that no refund ...
May 26, 2019 by Manoj M N
Delayed in the flight (Make My Trip) Open
I booked a multi-city return flight for Mumbai-Geneva, Ljbljana-Mumbai for June **, ****, on Make My Trip (MMT) for INR *****. Based on the alternatives on the site, I booked a Turkish AIrline flight from Mumbai to Geneva via Istanbul for the o...
May 26, 2019 by Simanti Talukdar
Refund not received (Oyo) Open
I have booked a room from OYO when I reached the place I'm unable to locate the property, whereas called ** times to their customer care but they haven't provided any solution. Also not even received the refund for amount Rs ****/- booked on **...
May 25, 2019 by Hemant Singh
Sharing the worst experience we had with Oyo (OYO Rooms) Open
We are completely upset with the poorest to poorest service provided to us by OYO. I want to gist the events happened in order to understand the agony we had undergone yesterday. We are ** members adult with * kids less than * years of age. Ou...
May 25, 2019 by ArunKumar Govindaraj
Refund not received (Goibibo) Open
I have booked a flight on ** Apr from mineralyne vody to Delhi. The amount is deducted from the account but booking is failed (it comes on the screen after that booking). I did not receive any PNR of the flight. It has been a month I haven't re...
May 25, 2019 by Nishant Sharma
Oyo room's did not provide room (Oyo) Open
I have booked OYO Room at * pm on **th by booking ID - MJNT **** to Oyo ***** Savoy Guest House. When I reached the hotel I was told that rooms are not available. Then I asked for help from the hotel. They did not help. I tried to Oyo but was ...
May 24, 2019 by Akshat Gupta
Refund not processed (Goibibo) Open
I have booked a waiting list ticket from Goibibio and after chart preparation, it went to RAC. Then I tried to cancel the RAC ticket but I can't. I called the customer care but it always went to voice mail. So I filed a TDR for that journey. B...
May 24, 2019 by Leo
Worse and painful stay in OYO Life (Oyo Life) Open
I am staying in OYO Life after joining an MNC in NCR. Before staying there I have stayed in company accommodation and five OYO Rooms. I am mentally pissed after staying here in this property. The SE who is looking care of the property starts u...
May 24, 2019 by Dipanjan Chakraborty
Over charging by ola (Ola Cabs) Open
I have taken an Ola cab from Pune ( Bhairoba Nala ) to Imagica on **-*-**. At the time of booking the fare was ****. When I reached Imagica the fare I paid was Rs. **** + *** ( toll tax ) = ****. On asking the driver he told me to contact Ola ...
May 24, 2019 by Rishi dembla
Refund of the hard earned money (Countryard Imperial Inn & Suites) Open
My husband received a message of free *N/*D holiday in Goa from this company. They were calling him to attend the seminar with your wife to avail the vouchers. So we went there they explain there package with us. We tell them we don't have enou...
May 24, 2019 by Jyoti Minhas
Fraud system for Ola cab owner (Ola Cabs) Open
My car is now running on the Ola platform. They penalized me Rs. *** and told me the system has recognized an invalid booking which has been done by you. But I told them I have not completed any fraud booking. Ola provides resolution "we can't ...
May 24, 2019 by Subha sen
Paid for gold membership (Oyo) Open
I just upgraded my Oyo wizard membership from blue to gold by paying *** rupees but they are not showing me that. Also, the wizard still on blue and the company guys in customer care told they don't know and all. I paid for that and I am having...
May 23, 2019 by Harshath Kumar
Payment not refunded (Oyo) Open
I checked in to OYO Room **** on **th of April. I made a payment of Rs. *** at the hotel reception in cash. Room number allotted to me was ***, the room was in very poor condition as the fan was not working properly and AC was also very weak. I...
May 23, 2019 by Aditya
Invoice or bill not find (Oyo) Open
Bill not received from Oyo and hotel. Customer care, not responding. Many times call to customer care. Very bad service from Oyo....
May 23, 2019 by Shakti singh
Hotel booking cancelled payment not refunded (Oyo) Open
Oyo home ***** heritage stay Ooty was booked on **/**/**** for **** rupees and same was cancelled within ** hours but they are not processing refund also they are taking ** per cent booking amount. Booking reference number AGLU**** and when enq...
May 22, 2019 by Nithindas K
Cheater Nirmala Travels (Nirmala Travels) Open
Worst trip I seen with Nirmala Travels. I won't suggest anybody travel with Nirmala Travels. I had been travelled Badri and Kedar trip with manager Ganesh Prabhu very worst kind of behaviour of him and provided low-cost hotels....
May 22, 2019 by Sandeep Betageri
Pathetic and harassed services of Oyo total holidays (OYO TOTAL HOLIDAYS ) Open
I have booked my Thailand package with Oyo total holidays and my booking id is cf****f*-be**-*d**-a*f*-******c**a**. My wife has called Oyo total holidays on ** May **** for knowing to package for Bangkok. In response, Ms Monika Negi has atten...
May 22, 2019 by SOHAL GUPTA
Amount got debited but bus ticket is not booked (Goibibo) Open
I have tried to book bus ticket on * May **** through Goibibo but unfortunately, the amount gets debited from my account and ticket is not booked. I want a refund for the same. ...
May 22, 2019 by Aman agrawal
"Thank you so much to Voxya.com. Legal Notice really worked and Byjus had to refund my amount and cancel the loan. Thanks once again Voxya. "
Ramachal V
Complaint filed against: Byjus