Monday 26 July 2010

Do you know what would be really nice?

If, one day, you could book a round the world ticket and actually get around the world using the tickets you bought and paid for.

24 hours ago, I checked in online for my flight back to London.
5 hours ago, I arrived at the airport and re-checked in at the Virgin Atlantic desk, dropped my bags off and went to the gate.
2 hours ago, my name was called as I sat in the departure lounge.
1 hour ago, I was told my e-ticket didn't exist on the Virgin Atlantic system.

Half an hour later, I stood crying at the boarding gates as my bags were taken off the flight.

Despite having checked in - twice - and having a list of flights marked 'confirmed' on my itinerary, despite standing there with a boarding pass issued hours before, despite having travelled round the world on this very ticket...a last minute check on my final flight said that I couldn't get on.

I don't know who to blame. STA Travel messed up, a lot. Let's blame then because ultimately, they're my travel agents and despite the formal complaint I made for their last tits up performance, they still haven't even checked that everything has been re-issued correctly. Singapore Airlines messed up, too. They're who my e-ticket is with. Virgin Atlantic, yeah we'll blame them, too. As they didn't spot the error until 5 minutes before boarding.


I've just spent over £600 on a new flight for Monday, because quite frankly, I'm too tired to argue with any of them, and it's now 1am.

I just want to go home.

9 comments:

jman said...

Condolences. I don't understand how one can check in if one doesn't have a ticket. Were you flying Kafka airlines? Or was someone from Monty Python manning the desk? Not the way you wanted your trip to end I am certain. Hope it all works out (and you get a refund from someone of the 600.

Anonymous said...

Oh no!

Keeping my fingers crossed that you're home safely soon. You can sort out the money when you're back so don't worry about that.

Think of the positives; you've had an amazing trip. Don't let this spoil it!

The Unbearable Banishment said...

They're both correct. You should go for the refund (you're certainly entitled) and not let this bit of misfortune spoil the entire adventure. Also, I'm sure you must be terribly homesick, but I can think of a lot worse places to be stuck than New York.

Please Don't Eat With Your Mouth Open said...

jman - Believe me, I asked the same questions and got no decent answer. Fact is, the guy I checked in with should have realised, and didn't. So it came down to the final checks. Bah.

Rosie - Ah it's not ruining the trip, it's just a pain. I've been worried about my flights ever since my last problems, but this time everything was fine then 5 mins before boarding they called me to the desk. It's just shit.

Unbearable - New York is one thing...except I've spent the night at JFK airport, which is maybe a little less comfortable and picturesque!

London Lass Blog said...

O no - poor Jo :( Hope you're back in the UK by the time I've written this comment.

Blonde said...

Yeesh. That is RUBBISH. Hope you get home soon - and lay the smackdown...

Scarlett said...

OMG! I had NO IDEA when I tweeted to you this morning that you were having SUCH a rough time! I hope you are home safe and sound by now! :-(

Please Don't Eat With Your Mouth Open said...

Londonlass - Not yet, but will be at 6:35 tomorrow morning. I hope!

Blonde - Smackdown only just begins to cover it. I'll pick up where the mother has started. Ha. And that's some hardcore smackdown.

Scarlett - Nearly there, I'm waiting for my next flight. Sympathy seats received, extra legroom for a 5ft 3 girl ;)

Queenie said...

Wow, what a pain in the butt. Honestly, I love to travel but I just hate the 'traveling' part.

 

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