TA Screwed up my London trip!!!

[TZMOM]

My son & I have our first ever trip abroad planned to London in August. I tried calling the airlines to get our seat assignments (my TA didn't want to do it since "I don't know where you'll like to sit").

So, I called United who told me that my reservation was cancelled. Called TA who said "no it's not, call United back & give them the record locator number." So I did only to find out that while I thought I was travelling on United, the flight is run by USAir and now I have to call them. The customer service agent at United was fantastic - even taking to time to put me on hold, call the TA & get her straightened out.

I call USAir who tells me that my flight was cancelled by the TA 5 days after I booked the trip. Call TA back who asks ME the number of USAir.

Long story short - my flights were cancelled "by the portion of the company that deals with travel arrangements" and she wasn't notified, blah blah blah.

Well, we're now on a Lufthansa flight that leaves 2 hours earlier but makes a stop in Frankfurt before arriving in London at about the same time as our other flight.

I'm now trying to get confirmation from our hotel in London that we have reservations since I don't trust this TA at all. Just needed to vent - thanks for listening.

Oh - has anyone ever flown Lufthansa before? Any opinions?

Thanks - Jane

 

[helenabear]

Wow, that is amazing that it was so messed up like that. I am just glad you found out before it was too late, you know? As for Lufthansa, it has been way too many years since I have flown them to have much to say, but I do remember liking them. My dad has flown on them more recently and no complaints. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip

 

[Grog]

I have a friend who has flown Lufthansa many times over the past few years, and as recently as a year ago, and he likes them.

Here's hoping the rest of your trip goes better than the flight reservations

 

[GEM]

Sorry about the mix up, but don't worry at all about Lufthansa. They are a wonderful airline!! We've flown with them many times and we always enjoy traveling with them. They are SO much better than any of the American airlines - more comfortable, better service, etc. Have fun! We love London!!

 

[Carl]

Lufthansa is great.

 

[cabmom]

What an awful mix up! Enjoy your trip I was over there during the Christmas holidays. Make sure you do a local bus tour and do the London Eye it's spectacular!
Marilynn

 

[hipporina]

Wow, that is horrible. I am a home based travel agent, and I consider it part of my job to find out things like where my clients would like to sit! I cannot imagine putting that responsibility on the client and then messing up someone's trip like that! Good luck getting it all figured out!

 

[bclydia]

Am I missing something here? Why would an airline fly from the
States to Germany before landing in London????!!!
It would seem to me that a flight to Frankfurt would stop in London first, if at all. Very strange routing! Are you sure you don't have to change flights in Frankfurt?
Just my two pennies here (Canadian ones at that! )

 

[TZMOM]

Yes, I do have to change planes/flights in Frankfurt for the whopping 45 minute trip back to London. I've sent an e-mail to our London hotel hoping that we still have reservations there. If I don't get a reply, I'll make the long distance phone call I suppose.

I'll be OK w/just our passports - right? I can't imagine that we'd need a Visa for a layover. Does anyone know/remember if the signs are also in English? I'm sure we'll find someone to help us figure out where we have to go - I can't imagine that it would be that difficult - but since both flights are Lufthansa I'm hoping the gates won't be far away from each other.

Will keep everyone posted!!

Thanks again!!

Jane

 

[CarolA]

FIRE YOUR TA NOW!!! Next find the owner of the agency (unless it is the agent) and complain.

Sorry, but the fact that she/he would not book your seats is a sign that they don't give a you know what!!!

I would go on line and see what airfare I could get without your TA. British Airways has had some great rates.

What hotel does your TA have you in? If this is their idea of service, you might want to check the location!!!!

 

[TZMOM]

You're absolute right CarolA. I intend to do something right after I receive "my tour documents" in August. This trip is an "independent tour" with a company that comes very highly recommended. I got a fantastic rate for our package of a week at the Rubens Hotel (across from Buckingham Palace) w/breakfast, London Travel Pass, 1/2 day sightseeing trip + flights for under $3,000.00 - I was able to take advantage of a $99 companion air fare thing that ran until the end of December. How on earth this woman screwed this up, I have no idea. Going now to try and call the tour company directly to see if they have us in their database - will keep you updated.

Thanks for your advice!!!

 

[CarolA]

You won't need a visa for Germany (they are not required anyway). My mother navigated this airport for flight changes last year on our trip to Istanbul and she does not speak a word of German so I assume it is well signed.

However, they have STRICT security. She had to go back thru security when she changed planes and said they were very through. (Her money belt, which had no metal in it or on it, set off the detector somehow!)

So... does your fantastic rate include the airfare you are now paying on the new flights. Your hotel location sounds great.

My mom and I are planning another trip to London for May!

 

[4nana]

Jane ~

Sorry about your TA, they do not sound very comptent. Hubbie and I did a trip to Europe thru 'Globus Tours' for his retirement, but we flew British Air, which was great as only 7 1/2 hrs. Just a passport should be fine, they are very thorough at customs in and out. The people are very friendly, helpful. You are going to have a wonderful, exciting time seeing all the new sites...we did Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Houses of Paraliment and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and by all means try the 'London Eye' ride. It is fabulous!! Best wishes for a safe and fun trip!!

~ Sandie

*'View of London and Houses of Paraliment from atop of the London Eye'

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Hi TZ Mom: what a nightmare, not that I want to worry you, but if you do find your hotel is not booked, maybe visit lastminute.com to see what they have on offer before you rebook with the scary TA. I book my london hotels with them (I stay at Westbury which is right in the middle of town and frighteningly expensive without them) and it's always gone okay - just double, double check your locations as some areas are nicer than others (you can pm me if you find anything and I'll try and help, I lived in central london for 14 years). PS: I alos replied to your last thread on the UK board re Harrods - it's not open sundays so don't plan to skip over there straight away when you arrive

 

[TZMOM]

Thanks again for all the tips -

CarolA, I did not/will not pay anything extra for the airline. The entire trip (minus anything I'll pay for meals, souvies, etc.) with trip insurance was actually $2,600. I've paid for the London Pass w/transport which was about $275.00 - so far it's about $3,000. I've looked on BA + United + USAir + Lufthansa for different flights and two RT fares all cost more than my total trip - so I have to stay with what I have. I'm just looking at it like we'll be visiting another place that we wouldn't originally be seeing, so the inside of a foreign airport will be something new and exciting for us.

I haven't received a reply from the hotel yet - I'm going to give them another few days, then bite the bullet and make the phone call to confirm our ressies. I'm also going to call the tour company directly this morning and see if that gets me anywhere.

Thanks again for your help - I really can't wait to get there and wander around, drink in the history, hear all the different accents, and eat & shop to my heart's content (well, that's a little extreme, until my wallet's content is more like it.)

Jane

P.S. The tour is through Insight Vacations and the tour agent is through Affordable Tours

 

[susie2]

hi, just wanted you to know that the rubens hotel looks very nice, have not stayed there myself, but my friend stayed there last year and had no problems, it is in a very good potition for seeing all the local sites of interest, hope you enjoy visiting england as much as we enjoy visiting america. susie

 

[Danauk]

I'm sorry to hear about the TA messing up your plans. I just wanted to say I hope you enjoy visiting our country. I love going to London and would recommend the London Eye. I would also recommend a few museums if you have time, my favourites are the science museum and the British museum (I like the Ancient Egypt department.) Also make sure you check out Harrods and Hamleys (toy store) for shopping.