Complaint Review: Maya’s Miami Travel

I have booked a ticket with Maya Merran from “Maya’s Miami Travel” (aka “Ms. Merran”) instead of booking it directly online. Ms. Merran service has been used by lots of my colleagues and friends and I thought that would be an idea to use a travel agent.

From the above holiday and unfortunately, there were some issues that I would like to bring to your attention in the hope that other travelers do not experience the same problems and hope that she will be able to repair that mistake by covering those expenses that I have accrued because of the negligence in providing me a service that is, by all means, was negligence and not truthful. I detail below the relevant points. 

MISLEADING ADVICE:

Ms. Merran book the ticket for me from Tel Aviv-Miami and Miami-Tel Aviv on July 20th, 2018 with “Air France” flying out of Tel Aviv on September 9th, 2018. Maya confirmed that the tickets are changeable and that I can have it change to a later date as I planning on doing so later on. Sadly, I discovered that she made a mistake, a huge Mistake.

BOOKING:

Maya did book the ticket after payment has been made but without the changing possibility and without my knowledge. I actually was clear with her on numerous occasions that the ticket MUST be changeable as I am not in the know of when I would like to come back to Tel Aviv. Israel. Later on, I’ve learned that Ms. Merran has booked a cheaper ticket without advising me.

Furthermore, she confessed to me via different channels that she made a mistake (see also email from October 3rd that she is advising she will get same value ticket for a $200.00 cost ONLY). She did say she was sorry and she will amend that mistake later on, without giving time or naming the time for me to ask for the same value ticket.

I’ve contacted Ms. Merran to send me a return flight to Tel Aviv, Israel on Tue, Jan 29,2019, but that later on got canceled as she issued a ticket with an “Aeroflot Russian Airlines” and that was not the deal as described, dated and evidence attached she clearly had to get me the same value ticket and she tried to buy herself out with a cheaper flight. I told her I will need it later on probably around July or August (as then my visa extension will end). I’ve contacted Ms. Merran again on May 21st, 2019, to get me a one-way ticket Miami – Tel Aviv. Ms. Merran never explained that her offer to purchase of a ticket has a limited time for 6 month -never.

Now she did that it is only valid for 6 months and that I should have known. Should have known how? Psychic capabilities?! By whom? Isn’t she the one who supposed to Informing me as a customer of any restrictions on transportation tickets or what are the limitation and such. She cleaning didn’t. her response was “go file a complaint with the police, I don’t care, your problem”

The state courts have ruled that because of the special relationship between travel agents and consumer as myself, the standard of care for travel agents are HIGHER and they have special duties and obligations owed to their consumers. Travel agents are subject to the following duties and obligations:

• Duty to Warn the Consumer: A travel agent has a duty to reveal any negative information they know about a certain destination that the traveler is traveling to. For example, if the town or area is an area of crime.
• Duty to Investigate and Disclose: Travel agents have a duty to investigate travel plans and be knowledgeable about the area the consumer is going to and whether there are certain conditions that would affect the consumers travel plans.
• Duty to Inform: Travel agents have a duty to inform clients about critical travel information. Travel agents must inform clients about limitations on tickets changes, the types of travel documentation needed to travel, whether a certain the country have certain requirements and the availability of travel insurance.
• Duty to Make Reservations: If the consumer requests reservations to be made, then a travel agent has a duty to make those reservations and follow up to confirm the reservations.
• Duty to Confirm Reservations: When a travel agent makes travel reservations and travel schedules, the travel agent has to confirm that the reservation went through and is ready for the consumer.  

Travel agents are liable to customers for violations of general duties, fraudulent misrepresentations, and violations of applicable state regulations. Common issues travelers have against travel agents include Violation of consumer protection laws; and/or

Today, I’m unable to resolve the that she caused from the get-go and now I have to pay double the amount with over $800 expense to buy a ticket that initially I have already paid for fully! I

I would like a FULL refund for my new ticket to resolve this matter!

I suggest to no one have that bad experience the sadness and difficulty as I did with Ms. Merran.