Hi all,
I have been attempting to price match some flights with FC and have been getting nowhere.
Has anyone used AuntBetty or BYOjet?
Not sure if I should just book directly with them. Am only looking for 2 return, direct tickets to KL from Adelaide.
Thanks
Yea there are mixed opinions abut the 3rd party sites - I am thinking because its only 2 flights it reduces the risk but also will be flying around NYE so not sure if this increases the risk of delays/reschedules which might be problematic
depends on price difference whether its worth it or not? I have done it twice, once over the phone and another in store. Relatively straight forward though you need to do it straight away as screenshots sometimes will not be sufficient and they will want to browse to the site to view the same price.
Price is $1013 pp return on AuntBetty and almost $1400 directly with Malaysia airlines
I sent screenshots and was told that head office needs to approve it, which can take a while apparently, and that if prices change in the mean time, which they clearly will, then the latest price will need to be used
All silly tactics I'm sure
I wouldn't bother. I've booked AuntBetty, BYOJet direct & done a flight centre price match. Flightcentre didn't add any value at all.
I have never had to wait for "head office approval". AuntBetty is flightcentre anyway.
My concern is more so having to book with AuntBetty and the problems that may arise if flights were to be cancelled/changed etc.
didn't know about auntbetty upon googling….
Found BYOJET is under flight centre too
https://byojet.com/who-is-byojet
I had to wait around 3 hours for approval. I know it's not much, but it just freaked me out because there weren't many seats left for that particular flight.
for all the effort and problem you need to go thru to get a price match done…hardly seems worth the effort for $1
most of the bad reviews you see on these 3rd party sites are people wanting to change names or dates and wondering it costs arm and leg to do so….
truth behold is that unless they paid for full fare flexi type tickets this would be the case with any airline or 3rd party
for domestic flights
its cheaper to book incorrectly once and void the ticket completely than pay once for these flexi type tickets
Yea good point. I may attempt once more with FC and then go directly with AuntBetty
thanks to *NO up there
BYOJET and Aunt Betty are both owned under the umbrella company of FC
http://www.fctgl.com/our-brands/
FC does not have any better flight changes policies than anyone else
you might be slightly better informed when flights do change but thats an experience i have yet to have with any agency knock wood
Do you have gift cards to use or something? Why else would you go to so much trouble to use them and save a $1??
The reviews for AuntBetty etc. aren't great and were something to change with the flights I don't want to have to deal with an online business.
Price matching with FC allows me to have better avenues in the instance where a problem arises.
I have to add that if your going to book with FC for a pricebeat make sure your note going to change flight dates. I had to pay basically the cost of the fare $2.4k to reschedule my flights with them, my fault as something came up and either I had to forfeit the fares or pay the fee. Basically FC will charge you their fare rate plus re schedule fees to change dates. I did manage to negotiate them to offer me credit as I discovered the difference in fares with what was shown on the airline direct itinerary was substantial.
Lots of follow up emails and headaches.
Damn that sucks!
Only book through third party sites if you are 100% definite you're not going to want to change dates/flights, etc. Changing/cancelling is where you will likely run into problems. If it's not lack of responses, it'll be high fees (yes, even with flight centre!).
If you have any doubts, book direct with the airline - even if it costs slightly more expensive.
Be warned - because you're not going to get much sympathy from anyone here if you book through these other sites and later create a post about being charged high fees etc or lack of customer service.
Personally, I would pay up to 10% higher to book direct with the airline. I might be sure now that I don't need to change the ticket, but just in case. On many occasions, I've extended my trip last minute just because I felt like it.
Thanks for the reply.
I may just go with AuntBetty then. I almost always book directly with the airline but the price difference is too great this time.
I am 100% certain that I wont need to change the flight times as annual leave etc has all been arranged.
Fair enough.. if the price difference is huge, then go for it.
Not trying to scare you, but I've also heard of cases where the price displayed is really cheap and once you book it with them, they'll then go and book it with the airline (hence sometimes the wait for 24 hours or so for confirmation) and if the price isn't available anymore, they'll ask you to pay extra or get a refund.
I only just saw your reply but have already booked with AB!
Received a tax invoice email straight away and waiting on an itinerary but so far it’s been smooth riding
@bobbified: Thanks man! Received the itinerary so all good i think! Will make sure to keep an eye out for flight changes myself though
This happened to me with Expedia except they did a really weak attempt to contact me, they called my phone once and didn’t leave a voicemail, also never even sent an email.
I only discovered this when I turned up at the airport to check in, ended up having to pay cash to buy another ticket (luckily there were seats available and Expedia covered the difference as the price had gone up).
FC owns AuntBetty
I price match with FC recently via online chat and it was easy.
I price matched my Europe flight in store. Didn't ask them what their price was, but I got 15% off $1000 FC gift cards through youi rewards so saved $300. My flight did change time once but Qatar emailed me (I signed on my itinerary after FC emailed me the confirmation). All good though, am currently on my trip 😁
Book direct if you can. But good luck!
Nobody will price match flights on a say-so because prices and availability change every 5 mins. Been there - done that! FORGET IT!
So if you see a cheap airfare JUST BOOK IT!
Even so I have tried this with BYOJet and others only to find that seats for published (cheap)airfare are no longer avilable. Thats how quick things change!
Thats why no travel agent will price-match airfares.
Its practically impossible to confirm!
You must be there in the office with them and the flight must be there on the sreen in front of both of you and seat availablity must be confirmed!
Then you say "Book it NOW!"
It all depends on a friendly rep. I have found staff there are more often arrogant, rude and pompous, than open and approachable (especially price matching). Don't rely on your local, be firm in your requirements and try a few shops. The city does have several stores, so maybe walk a few on your lunch break…
better still… just call them
if you don't get the "right" response from one consultant. Just hang up and call another from the comfort of your own home/ desk/ etc
As the old saying goes
"Let your fingers do the walking"
Truer now than it ever was
I've used BYOJet, for a flight to Hoi An. No problems for us, but I've heard some have issues if they need to change flights or whatever.
Lots of folk on here have strong opinions against FC; I haven't used them.