[AGM]

My wife and I recently booked a flight on Air France through a travel agent to celebrate our 20th anniversity. Two weeks before we were to leave I was layed off from my job. I called Air France, to see if I could either delay or cancel the flight. I was rudely told by an Air France rep., using an annoying fake French accent, that they would not even talk to me about this and that the travel agent would have to ask about what could be done. I thought it was interesting to note that Air France doesn't have a customer service phone number. They make you mail complaints to an address in Sunrise, FL which others on other websites have stated they never answer.

I told the travel agent and she said she would call Air France to see what they would be willing to do. A week later she called me and said that Air France had CANCELLED the tickets and only refunded the tax paid, about $200 and that Air France had kept the rest of the money, $800. So, not only was I layed off, me and my wife couldn't celebrate our anniversary either. They did not even give us the option of keeping the flight the way it was, they just cancelled the tickets and kept the money. I have never heard of this kind of treatment of the customer from any company in any industry. I plan to to go to every consumer advocate group there is and assure anyone considering using Air France hears about this.

Lesson learned...NEVER USE AIR FRANCE. When my wife and I replan this trip, we will not even consider using Air France. If an airline doesn't even have a phone number for customer service, you know they're not going to care about complaints. Maybe one day this rotten airline will get it's act together. Till then, don't use them.

[mars6423]

maybe there was a communication problem with your travel agent and AIR FRANCE?

you can never be sure, but if it was Air France that did that than that wrong and should have confirmed your action, and there are cancelation fees so thats why they kept some of the money, it sucks but theres not much anyone can do

also i am very sorry to hear you were laid off

happy 20th anniversary, have a good one (sounds hard but make the best out of it)

[Silent Bob]

I am also sorry to hear about your missed anniversary trip. However what should have been done, was what was suggested first and that is to let the travel agent handle the refund. Most folks don't realize that when you book through an agent such as a local travel agent, orbitz, etc, they can just as easily rebook, cancel, refund your reservation just as any airline reservation can, maybe even do a better job. I had an issue with JAL once where I needed to cancel my trip, however I just called air gorilla, the agents who booked my flight, handle my refund. True I lose some cash because of cancellation fees, but i still got most my money back. Just a tip for those who decide to book through an agent, just call them up and let them handle all the details.

[PHXFlyer]

Agreeing with Silent Bob. You used a travel agent for a reason namely to handle your travel plans. But it does not end when the purchase is completed. They are there to help when unforseen issues, such as a loss of employment, occur. Your first call should have been to your travel agent, not Air France. If you purchased more than just airfare through the agent, there might have been travel insurance included in your package. If not, the agent could have contacted the issuer of your credit card. Most major credit card issuers have automatic travel insurance when you purchase airline tickets, hotels, rental cars etc.

Sorry about your loss of both your job and the money associated with these tickets. Next time, though, call your travel agent first.