Hi OzBargain,
I'm looking to buy flight tickets for my family to travel on Christmas from a site called Aunt Betty or BYOJet. I was redirected to it from Google Flights.
It is around $1000 lower than other sites. I'm a bit nervous on purchasing from Aunt Betty or BYOJet. Are they legitimate?
Just wondering if it is safe to purchase from, since this is the first time I'm buying from a non-airline website.
Thanks with regards
Yes, but don't expect good cs
What was your experience with any of these two providers in terms of customer service?
And pay with paypal if possible. For smooth refund in case of problems.
Have you had experience disputing/escalating such issue with PayPal before?
What was your experience like?
Not with this site, but for other sellers.
Oh alright. I see they are charging 1% on top of all costs for using PayPal.
Would this be part of PayPal operating costs?
Have used Aunt Betty just before covid. The flight was cancelled, took me forever to get a refund less their fees.
Tread carefully.
It is around $1000 lower than other sites
That's quite a lot of savings! Is that the initial price or is that the price difference in final stage?( Ie after you add all the add-ons)
I am buying for my family with 4 members. Each has a difference of $250.
Where are you wanting to book, and with which airline?
I'd usually want to avoid a middleman like Flight Centre as they make dealing with changes annoying.They also often lack live pricing meaning you pay money but they claim to be unable to buy a ticket and then try to hit you up for more.
(Also, the rise of price search engines like Goofle Flights many airlines now offer unbundled fares to attract people who are only shopping on price - who then find they don't have checked bags and/or sear selection in the fare.)
Trying to book from Melbourne to Dubai (DXB). The fares are almost double near Christmas time. I totally agree with your Google Flights comment - I have checked the baggage allocation (I don't really mind seat allocation).
Just getting concerned if they deduct money from my account but aren't able to process at the same price with the airline.
Never got my money back from flights cancelled (by the airline) during Covid. Despite many promises and several phone calls to the auntbetty/bayonet call centre in the Phillipines. Would never trust them with another cent.
Is it actually $1000 lower once you add in luggage and other inclusions?
Are there any connecting flights? If so, has enough time been provided to make the connection? Are they the same airline? If not, you may need to collect and recheck baggage.
If you get to the airport and there’s delays or cancellations, you need to liaise with them, not the airline. Much more tricky than just talking to someone at the desk.
Too many possible issues here, I only ever book direct with the airline.
I don't need any other inclusions but the difference of $1000 is inclusive of luggage which Airline provides as standard. There are connecting flights but with the same airline and I would assume they will issue us the boarding passes of both legs at Origination airport. In this case I would assume if the connecting flight is missed then airline should arrange us in the next connecting flights as they have already issued the boarding passes. Am I missing anything?
Which airline is it you’re looking at? Usually yes they’ll issue boarding passes for the whole thing but it can really depend on the airline and even airports.
If your flights are simple with no connecting flights involved it might be worth the risk but my brother's connecting flight was delayed so he missed his international flight and had to purchase a new one last minute. He couldn't contact Aunty Betty at the time and he didn't get a refund .
Assume the next connecting would have been with a different airline carrier? Didn't they issue boarding passes for the next leg. I assume if it is the same airline then they issue boarding passes of both the legs with luggage booked for the final destination (means you dont need to collect luggage at the connecting airport).
If you're looking at just direct flights to/from Dubai, and little to no chance you will need to change flights, it's probably worth the risk for the savings. As others have said it's buyer beware, double check everything, customer service is nonexistent, but they won't deliberately scam you.
It's not a direct flight but I don't aim to make any changes. Its same airline with connecting flights with one stop. Assuming they should issue us boarding passes of both legs and luggage booked for final destination (Dubai).
but I don't aim to make any changes
The short story is, once your flights are locked in, be prepared to fight for your money if there are any changes.
So long as both flights are on the same ticket ie you have transit insurance, not a worry.
My son once booked a Virgin round the world ticket with BYOjet, some ridiculous price $1500 for Sydney/Hong Kong/London/New York/Sydney and had no issues whatsoever.
I booked Etihad with Aunt Betty just before Covid only because they had a flight I couldn't get through the airline… what a nightmare!
That is a ridiculously cheap price.
@Alph4: Yep! Flights were all Virgin Australia or Virgin Atlantic. Won't see fares like that again for some time…
Both of them are owned by Flight Centre.