SmallBizGenius Analysis
Cheaptickets is an online travel agency offering flights, hotels, and car rentals, but customer reviews reveal significant issues. Many customers report unexpected charges, poor customer service, and difficulties with refunds and cancellations.
Category Breakdown
Scores based on analysis of 96 recent reviews
Unexpected Charges and Price Changes
2.0/10Numerous reviewers report that the price of tickets changed during the booking process or that they were charged more than the initially quoted price. Some customers were asked to pay additional money after booking, with threats of cancellation if they didn't comply; for example, one reviewer mentioned being asked for an additional $800.
25 reviews mention thisCustomer Service Issues
3.0/10Many customers express frustration with Cheaptickets' customer service, citing unhelpful agents, long wait times, and difficulty resolving issues. Some reviewers claim that agents provided incorrect information or lied to avoid assisting them, while others were hung up on or received generic, unhelpful responses.
30 reviews mention thisCancellation and Refund Problems
2.5/10A significant number of reviewers report difficulties canceling bookings and receiving refunds, even when they purchased cancellation insurance. Some customers were denied refunds despite being eligible, while others experienced lengthy delays or were charged unexpected cancellation fees.
22 reviews mention thisBaggage Allowance Discrepancies
3.5/10Several customers reported issues with baggage allowances, where they were informed shortly before their flight that their baggage allowance had been removed or was never booked in the first place. This resulted in unexpected fees at the airport and frustration with Cheaptickets' handling of the situation.
5 reviews mention thisBooking Errors and Misleading Information
3.0/10Several reviewers reported errors in their bookings, such as incorrect dates or misspelled names, and difficulty getting these errors corrected by Cheaptickets. Some customers also felt that Cheaptickets withheld important information about their bookings, such as the fact that their flights were booked as separate one-way tickets.
15 reviews mention thisPros & Cons
What Customers Love
"Was terrified after booking my tickets on Cheaptickets and THEN I read the reviews here — I bought tickets for a concert in Vegas through cheaptickets.com but the email came through, with the tickets, from ticketmaster (and at about $50 less than the same tickets on the ticketmaster site)."
"Very good customer service excellent staff Very helpful"
"They honored my travel credits despite being over 1 year old. Very happy with their service."
Common Complaints
"Fraud, Like everyone else here they charge you then call and ask for more and more money, they wanted $800 more and said they would charge me anyway"
"Cheapticket agent lied to me so they would not have to help"
"Protection policy is a racket with AIG Do not purchase: I puchased two one way tickets and the date changed as I was booking the flight to the incorrect date. I called to cancel the reservations and they told me to call AIG since it was covered under the protection plan I bought so I called AIG and they said they could not refund until the flights were cancelled so I called cheap tickets back and they refused to cancel the booking. Flat out refused unless I paid additional 125 dollars fee on each tickets. The so called cancelation policy is a racket since it apparently only covers when airlines cancel flights which are already covered by the airline...why would we need a cancelation policy??? So they keep my money and I will never use them again."
"Got the wrong times from cheap tickets , you can call these iclowns but you get someone on the phone from a callcenter in India who doesn't really speaks English and doesn't know anything, don't book by these clowns 😡😡"
"Bait & switch. I made the reservation, then, lo and behold, there were no seats at that price for the month of December; BUT he would gladly upgrade me for more than twice the amount at which I booked the reservation."
Common Questions About Cheaptickets
Answers derived from customer review patterns
Is Cheaptickets legit and trustworthy?
Based on the analyzed reviews, Cheaptickets has a significant number of complaints regarding unexpected charges, poor customer service, and difficulties with refunds. While some customers report positive experiences, the overwhelming negative sentiment suggests that Cheaptickets is not consistently trustworthy. Customers frequently describe issues such as being charged more than the quoted price, having bookings canceled without notice, and struggling to get assistance from customer service representatives, making it a risky choice for booking travel.
Based on 45 reviewsDoes Cheaptickets have good customer service?
The majority of reviews suggest that Cheaptickets does not have good customer service. Many customers report long wait times, unhelpful or misleading information from agents, and difficulty resolving issues. Some reviewers even claim that agents lied or hung up on them, indicating a lack of proper training and support. The negative feedback regarding customer service is a recurring theme, suggesting that this is a significant area of concern for the company.
Based on 30 reviewsIs Cheaptickets worth it for small business?
Given the numerous complaints about unexpected charges, booking errors, and poor customer service, Cheaptickets is generally not worth it for small businesses. The potential for travel disruptions and financial losses outweighs any potential cost savings. Small businesses should consider booking directly with airlines or hotels, or using more reputable travel agencies with a proven track record of reliable service and customer support.
Based on 60 reviewsWhat is Cheaptickets' return policy like?
Based on customer reviews, Cheaptickets' return policy is problematic and unreliable. Many customers report difficulties obtaining refunds, even when they purchased cancellation insurance or were entitled to a refund due to airline cancellations or booking errors. Some reviewers were charged unexpected cancellation fees or experienced lengthy delays in receiving their refunds, while others were denied refunds altogether. The inconsistent and often negative experiences with refunds suggest that Cheaptickets' return policy is not customer-friendly.
Based on 22 reviewsWhy are there so many complaints about hidden fees on Cheaptickets?
The prevalence of complaints regarding hidden fees on Cheaptickets stems from several issues, including price changes during the booking process, unexpected charges for baggage or seat assignments, and cancellation fees that are not clearly disclosed upfront. Customers often feel misled by the initial price quoted on the website, only to discover additional costs later on. This lack of transparency and the difficulty in resolving these issues with customer service contribute to the high volume of complaints about hidden fees.
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