My complaint:
The travel agent booked flights with inconvenient times slots without advising me about other airlines with more suitable slots. When I asked later, she said the other airline was not showing. How can an experienced agent not know that there are other airlines going to Mauritius, besides Air Mauritius and Kenya Airlines. I had to search for suitable flights myself and found suitable slots via SAA.
I had to cancel with Air Mauritius but before agreeing to the cancelation, I asked her if we can get vouchers or a credit for the tickets, she said no.
She showed the cancellation fees to an amount of about R11 000. I asked for a breakdown from the airline and she has not emailed it yet.
I was not happy with how she handled the booking and I emailed Air Maurituis and they said the travel agent should have advised me and given me other options besides cancelling, which was costly.
Air Mauritius said when I asked the agent about credit or vouchers, she should have advised me that Air Mauritius allows passengers to keep tickets up to 1 year from date of issue. Passengers can postpone the trip and use tickets later before the expiry date. There may be a difference in fare , taxes plus the rebooking fee.
This agent failed to mention my options and has cost me money.
This is our wedding anniversary trip and she has spoilt all the excitement I had about Mauritius.
She has to be liable somehow because of her lack of diligence and not looking out for the best interests of Flight Centre clients
Suggested solution:
The agent should be liable for the cancelation fees or should reverse the cancelation so I can still reuse the tickets in future.
