Bit of a buyer beware when it comes to booking through small travel agencies…but also open to advice if anyone has been in a similar position…
I booked around $20,000 worth of flights through a Sydney-based travel agency that had been in business for over 20 years. Unfortunately, the agent has since been charged with fraud after refunding ticket amounts back to herself after booking them—this made national news (link in comments). I alerted Singapore Airlines about this and was assured that she would not be able to do this with my tickets.
Fast forward three months, and she did exactly that. My $20,000 in tickets disappeared from my app overnight. I contacted Singapore Airlines to ask for an explanation, but I’ve been passed around between departments with no accountability or resolution only to be told they refunded the ticket amounts to the agent at the agents request.
It’s extremely frustrating, especially since I had flagged this issue in advance and was given assurance it wouldn’t happen. The flights were booked on Amex, but the insurance on that card doesn’t cover this type of fraud. The agent is currently in jail, awaiting a court date.
Has anyone else experienced something similar or have any advice on how to move forward with this? At this stage I think the money is gone & I don’t know if it’s worth pursuing Singapore airlines further.
Travel World Sydney director Zahra Rachid has been arrested on fraud charges.
News article here:
https://www.news.com.au/travel/sydney-travel-agent-charged-with-allegedly-defrauding-multiple-customers/news-story/17287537f6066483f340d9cc01ce86a4