Bestfares USA, Bestfares.com Bait and Switch, consumer fraud online ripoff
1. There are so few seats available that it appears to be "bait and switch" tactics when one calls to make a reservation. They should list the number of plane seats available and indicate when no more seats can be had at the advertised price.
2. To list a price for a seat between points A and B that takes a circuitous route 1000 miles in the wrong direction is not at all sensible. ie. Washington DC to Tampa, FL. via St. Louis is senseless. They should stop the practice.
3. "05/07/2002 Alamo Out Of The Blue Weekly & Weekend Internet Car Rental Specials"
The above "promo rate" was unavailable for Tampa, Florida 4 days after it was posted on Bestfares. (Impossible)... The rate that Alamo posts (and suggests one try to get without the promo rate) leads to a web page where the rates are as much a 2x that of other rental companies in the Tampa market. (many of those with at airport locations)
Attempted to use the BestFares "Buy One Night Get a Second Night Free" certificate at the Radisson Sand Key Resort in Florida. Mind you it is off season and there are many vacancies. Called the special number Bestfares lists on the certificate. Received a price quote of $278/night with the second night free. Very curious as the pricing for the rooms through other sales outlets for the same dates are $149-155/night.
When I pointed out that the "discount" was really $12-$15/night (hardly 10%) and certainly not one night free I received the ridiculus answer that the lower rates everyone is advertising are really discounted rates. Other travel agencies are paying Radisson below the retail sales price. You can put on paper any price you care to but if you are selling all the rooms at a lower price then that is the price. This is another example of a Best Fares come-on.
E-mailed Bestfares with my complaints. Have yet to receive an answer.
Paul
Chevy Chase, Maryland
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Paul
Chevy Chase,Maryland,
U.S.A.
Quiting Bestfares, BUYER BEWARE
#3Author of original report
Wed, March 17, 2004
In very small print on the first page of Bestfares monthly travel magazine are the terms of membership. It says that they will automatically renew ones membership and charge ones credit card unless they are called at their 1-800 number. Ever try getting through to Bestfares? Be prepared to camp out for hours next to your telephone. When you do get through be sure to get a transaction number and the name of the operator as the chances are good that they will somehow lose your cancellation. Then be wary of a deceptive renewal letter you will receive that will again put you on the phone trying to get through to Bestfares. LET THE BUYER BEWARE. STAY AWAY FROM THIS TURKEY.
Paul
Chevy Chase,Maryland,
U.S.A.
I decided that my membership was useless
#3Author of original report
Mon, July 07, 2003
After months of finding only come-ons and ripoff prices on Bestfares I decided that my membership was useless. Of course it was non refundable. I closely read the fine print in their magazine and discovered that they would automatically renew a membership and charge ones credit card unless they were notified to stop the process.
So I called their customer service. I called and called for days until I got through to a representitive who cancelled the auto billing process. At least I hope it is cancelled.
A few other thoughts on these scam artists.
They operate on the fringes of the law so while not violating a law they are always over the line when it comes to questionable practices that liberate money from your wallet.
They seem to be a "virtual company" w/o mailing address.
They are supposedly located in Dallas, Texas. The numbers they tell members to call I believe are those of independent travel agencies that are in no way affiliated with Bestfares. I would guess Bestfares gets a fee for channeling them business.