Not all flight websites are created equal.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is re-issuing a warning about JustFly.com, an online travel agency that has racked up more than 250 complaints with the BBB, earning it an "F" rating by the non-profit watchdog.
This is the second year in a row the BBB is putting out an alert about the company, but customers continue to report problems with the company.
According to the BBB, here is a list of some of the complaints made about JustFly.com:
· Differences in the quoted price as opposed to what is actually charged on the consumer’s credit card after booking.
· Mistakes being made by booking agents, such as the name and spelling of the passenger’s name. Adjustments to the booking result in significant fees to the consumer from both the airline and JustFly.com.
· Differences in the time and date of travel from the original booking.
· Lack of email booking confirmations as promised.
· Reports of being on hold for excessive periods of time when calling into the customer service department. Some have reported being cut off after long waits.
· Being charged more for a cancelation fee than was originally quoted.
Sue Pritchard of TAI Travel Services in St. Petersburg tells ABC Action News that one of the big problems with using an online site is they can be misleading about which airport you'll be flying out of and it's sometimes nearly impossible to get any customer service with those companies when something goes wrong.
Pritchard says, most importantly, if a company is offering an extremely low price, you can be they are cutting corners somewhere, and you'll pay for it in a different way.
BBB also offers the following advice when booking online travel:
· Start your research at bbb.org. Read complaints and reviews from previous customers.
· Buy directly from the airline, hotel, or cruise line, or use a local travel agency or well-known aggregator with a good BBB rating.
· Look for the seal to find BBB Accredited Businesses that are committed to trust.
· Be wary of claims of enormous savings, “best deal” guarantees, and any statement you cannot verify prior to making a purchase.
· When doing business with a travel agency for the first time, check to see if they are a member of a recognized association such as the American Society of Travel Agents in the United States or the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies in Canada.
· Double check all details such as travel dates, itineraries, destinations, and travelers’ information before confirming payment, as you may be charged for amendments.
· Pay by credit card so you have additional protections if there is a company error.
