ComplaintsforFare Buddies

• Initial Complaint

  05/14/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On May 14, 2024 at approximately 10am mst, I purchased a plane ticket through the farebuddies site using the ***** ******* app. The flight was from Detroit to Calgary, connecting in Chicago on Monday may 27. The price was $120 cad. When I was redirected to the farebuddies page, the price was changed to $95 usd. I purchased the ticket but then was concerned when i didn't recieve a confirmation email. So I called the number on their page **** *** ****. They said they had to confirm the purchase on their end, and someone will be contacting me to complete my purchase. I recieved a call back and was told that the price I payed was too low and no longer offered by the airline. And that I recieved a discount price for only the first part of the trip., and not for the second part. And my new price is $160 usd. I said, that is ridiculous and that's not my problem. And that they need to update their system and honor my ticket or give me my money back. They said they can't give me my money back. I said, I believe you guys are scanning people with low prices so we can book these tickets then you real us in for more money. He said he'll try to find some coupons to help me out. He came back and said the new price will be $140usd. Already annoyed at this point I said fine and sent a confirmation reply to the updated email he sent me with the itinerary. He called me back again about 30 minutes later saying that he has to charge me another extra $20 usd. I said no. This is nonsense. Give me my money back. He told me that if he cancel the dodge I will lose all my money. I demanded a refund or honor the original price of $95 usd. He said neither is possible. I told him this is theft and fraud what they're doing. So now I'm out $160usd, approximately $217 cad. And I still don't have a flight to get back to work. I live in Windsor Ontario. But sometimes it is cheaper to fly from the states. His name was Jordan. My booking# is ********. His email is *******************. please help TY

• Initial Complaint

  05/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  **** website. Made reservations online. Waited almost 1 week and did not receive confirmation email. Called the airline and no tickets under our name. Booked directly a new flight with airline directly. Almost 2 weeks later, within 24 hours from the original flight time, receive a call from farebuddies. At first I thought it was the airline calling for the new reservation. However, the person from farebuddies did not speak well English. She tried to upscale the cost by trying to collect additional fees for baggages (although the original purchase included baggages). When we said we did not need any baggages appeared to be upset and was saying that the return flight was not confirmed and cost would need to go up. I did realized it was not the airline but rather them trying the bait and switch ****. They said the purchase was non reimbursable (even thought they claim that the return flight was no longer available). However it did not appear that they ever changed my card and were simply trying to change a larger amount. After menacing them thst I would report them as ****mers on my credit card, they transfer me to a manager which tried to argue and change me more. Finally, he said no need to report as **** since my card was not changed and thst he would cancel the reservation. I did call my bank, reported the **** and csncelled my card.

• Initial Complaint

  12/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Transaction Date: October 17/ 2023 Subject: Complaint for Fraudulent Activities by fareowl.com Dear Office of BBB, I am writing to formally report a complaint against the flight ticket agency, fareowl.com, The contact phone numbers associated with this agency are ###-###-#### and ###-###-####. My complaint revolves around the fraudulent behavior exhibited by fareowl.com in relation to the purchase and subsequent cancellation of two flight tickets, totaling $1,249. The confirmation code for the transaction is [****** & ******]. Despite our numerous attempts through phone calls and emails, fareowl.com has failed to provide a satisfactory resolution or refund for the canceled tickets. The tickets were originally scheduled for a flight on December 17, 2023. After contacting ***** Airlines, we were informed that the agency (fareowl.com) is responsible for reinstating the flight reservation. This situation has caused significant inconvenience and financial loss, and the lack of responsiveness from fareowl.com is unacceptable. We kindly request your intervention in addressing this matter and ensuring appropriate action is taken against fareowl.com for their fraudulent practices. After this first submission this situation will be scaled to the next level and make sure, this business gets out of the U.S community if no solution are provided. If additional documentation or information is required, please do not hesitate to contact me at [My Contact Information]. We appreciate your attention to this matter and trust that the BBB will investigate and resolve the issue promptly. Sincerely,

• Initial Complaint

  03/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On March 17, 2023, I went online to compare flight deals for a trip to Hawaii in the summer. I was looking to book round trip tickets for a large family and wanted to get the best deal possible. While doing a google search I came upon Flight Buddies. They were advertising a flight deal through ****** ******** for an incredible price. I was a bit pessimistic at first and took the time to read through all of the fine print. After some consideration it seemed to be a legitimate offer, so I went ahead and booked the flight through them. Promptly after completing the transaction I looked at my email to find our itinerary with a big red banner at the top saying "Your Booking Has Been Declined". In smaller writing underneath is said that they would get back in touch in 30 minutes to confirm our booking. Confused, I went to the website and attempted to chat with a customer service representative. They proceeded to call me. On the phone they were bombarding me with information, saying that they were going to need more money in order to secure our flight and that Alaska had changed their prices right as I was checking out. I then let them know that I would like to cancel my transaction and to please not book a flight. They were using manipulation tactics, acting as if I had no choice but to continue with the transaction and pay them hundreds of extra dollars for the flight. They kept putting me on hold saying they "needed to talk to a manager", changing the subject, demanding I pay more money... the whole interaction was incredibly stressful. Luckily I was able to get my money back, but I can only imagine that other people are not so fortunate. This business is using shady sales tactics to try and bleed money from people. It's really disheartening that a business would manipulate people like this. It was an incredibly stressful and upsetting experience.

  Business response

  04/10/2023

  Hello

  We understand the customer being stressed, and we apologize for the trouble. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we are truly sorry that wasn't demonstrated to the customer.

  "Your Booking Has Been Declined", the reason this statement was highlighted in red banner is because this price was no longer available on our website. As we all know flight ticket prices are extremely volatile in nature. The closer the travel dates are the probability of getting a cheaper fare diminishes. 

  Our team was trying to help the customer secure the tickets but the customer was not willing to alter the timings or the prices. Unfortunately we had to refund the customer in full. 

  We do not like to see a customer go unsatisfied. 

  Regards

  Farebuddies

  Customer response

  04/12/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and will reluctantly accept their lack of action. Though they did not address the shady nature of their business practices and I believe they will continue to trick people out of hundreds of dollars, I also don't believe that much else can be done at this point. If it were up to me they would be shut down, but sadly I do not have that jurisdiction. So hopefully an honest-- ****** ********-- review will suffice in turning people away from their bogus 'business'. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *****

• Initial Complaint

  12/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I booked travel with this travel company on December 10, 2022, for a flight to Washington, DC on January 6, 2023, for $159.00. After which, I received confirmation and booking number, FDBXXXXX. Thereafter, I went out of the country and when I returned, I started receiving what I know now is voice messages from a representative of this company. However, the representative never left a contact number, so I started calling and emailing the company. I increased my contact efforts because the airline I was booked with, United, could not find a reservation for me. Every time I called, emailed, and chatted with Fare Buddies, I was told my reservation was assigned to an agent, ********, and she was working on my reservation. After no response from ********, I informed Fare Buddies via email, chat, and a phone call their company is a scam and my reservation is fraudulent, and that I am escalating a complaint. It was only after this "threat" that I was able to speak to ******** who then informed me that my airline fare was no longer available, but a higher fare than I originally booked is available for booking. When I declined to purchase a higher fare and questioned how it is that my original reservation was confirmed booked and now it is not, ******** stated that United would not accept the fare that Fare Buddies advertised. ******** stated that she attempted to contact me many times about my reservation. When I informed her that 1) she never left a message with a contact number. 2) she never left in her message that my fare "wasn't accepted." 3) that if there was a grave issue with my reservation, why wasn't that relayed via email or voicemail? ******** had no response. Subsequently, I am now receiving a series of emails from Fare Buddies, even one that now says my reservation is canceled. Now I am forced to pay a fare that is doubled what I thought I secured with Fare Buddies because I am one week away from my flight!

  Business response

  01/10/2023

  Consumer Response /* (3000, 13, 2023/01/04) */ The company contacted me, and we have reached an agreement on the resolution of this issue. The case can now be closed. Thank you for facilitating this resolution.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩