Credit card problems with internet bookings.
With more and more people being tempted by cheap flights to dive destinations I thought you might be interested in my appalling experience with Flybe, the supposed flagship of Westcountry airlines.
On Monday the 25th April I attempted to book three passengers onto a Flybe service from Exeter to Palma Majorca using the Flybe Web site. We were planning to dive the Balearic Islands where the diving and weather is excellent at this time of year and the flights and accommodation seemingly cheap. Each time I entered the booking details and credit card number the system failed with a technical error message. Each time I was advised to call a help line to check the transactions had not been processed. Each time I was assured that the bookings had failed and no charge would be made.(After a 15 minute wait listening to promotional messages and music at my expense)
Two days later I had my card declined by a retailer when attempting to purchase goods at a store. It appears on enquiry that my card had three authorisation codes logged against it by Flybe for the three failed bookings. Despite the fact no money had been taken the card was restricted against my Card Limit due to these authorisations. No booking had, in fact, been made in any case.
I called Flybe on the 4th day asking for them to clear the authorisations. I was told it normally takes 5 to 7 working days.
As at today Friday 29th April the issue is not resolved. The contact person has her voicemail on this morning and is unavailable.
Readers should beware booking with Flybe in this manner.
It is very fortunate that I had not flown abroad relying on my credit card for cash whilst away!
Reply to this Sorry to hear of the difficulties.
Have you contacted your credit card provider to see if they can do anything to remedy the situation?
Reply to this Can I flag up a similar problem with internet bookings? I successfully booked from Gatwick to Barcelona with Easyjet, then booked to return to Stanstead, as it was much cheaper than Gatwick. However the return flight had to be booked separately, in Euros; and my credit card company assumed the transaction took place in Barcelona. It promptly blocked my card, without telling me - assuming it was fraudulent. I only found out when my card was rejected later. Moral: call your card company BEFORE making online purchases, telling them what you're about to do.
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