Australian Travel Operator Of The Year

posted by Jaitu at 17:59

Just a quick note for anyone thinking of visiting Australia. Do it, it's a lovely place. Just don't do it with Austravel. We booked our flights for the wedding through them and have had consistently poor service.

We had to cancel a ticket that was for my Father. This took three attempts and a total of around eight weeks to complete and get the refund. Providing passport information (that they had requested) to secure visas took three attempts because each time we gave them what they wanted they remembered something else they'd need. When our itinerary arrived it showed me as an Australian citizen and a visa against Naomi despite the fact that I'm British and required the visa and she's the Aussie (remember all the passport stuff?). It also *still* had my Dad on the itinerary and E-ticket. Also the E-ticket they sent us had different flight details to the itinerary. We think this has all been sorted out now.
It's not just us, another couple flying with us had not even received their paperwork (this is less than two weeks before we fly) and on their inquiry were told Austravel were waiting on confirmation of an extra arrangement they had made for their holiday. Confirmation from whom? Not exactly clear. They have now been sent their itinerary and E-ticket, complete with mis-matched flight details. There are other friends flying out for the wedding who have received equally poor service from them.

So anyway. Austravel have been crap for us and others that we know. The hold message you get when you call them proudly announces that they were voted Australian Tour Operator Of The Year 2005. I can see why they didn't get 2006. Take my advice and book it direct with Emirates.

Rant over.