Book My Travelin

Based in a Rosemont, Illinois office building, Book My Travelin presents itself as a 24/7 online travel agent dedicated to finding affordable airfare for travelers. Its website offers a seemingly straightforward portal for securing cheap flights, promising competitive prices and a simple booking process. This round-the-clock availability is a key selling point, appealing to those arranging last-minute trips or complex international flights across different time zones. However, a deep dive into customer feedback and public records reveals a significant disconnect between the company's promises and the experiences of many of its clients.

The Initial Appeal: A Platform for Travel Deals

For many prospective travelers, the journey with Book My Travelin begins with the discovery of an attractively priced flight. The website functions as a search aggregator, allowing users to compare fares across hundreds of airlines to plan their travel itineraries. The platform's stated goal is to make travel accessible and comfortable, offering features like a user-friendly search engine and the promise of no convenience fees, ensuring transparency in pricing. For a user looking to book a simple domestic flight or piece together a multi-leg international trip, the initial prices can appear to be significant travel deals.

A Pattern of Post-Booking Complications

Despite the appealing facade, a large volume of customer reviews details a consistent and troubling pattern of post-purchase issues. The most frequently cited problem involves a classic bait-and-switch tactic. Customers complete their flight booking online, pay the advertised price, and receive an initial confirmation email. However, this is often followed by a phone call from an agent who reports a problem.

Common scenarios described by numerous clients include:

• Sudden Price Increases: An agent calls to inform the customer that the price they paid is no longer valid or that the airline has increased the fare. The customer is then asked to pay more money to keep the reservation. One client reported being told to pay $50 more because other websites had a higher price, and was threatened with a $20 cancellation fee if they refused.
• "Overbooked" or "Sold Out" Flights: Another common explanation is that the flight has been "severely" overbooked or is now sold out. Instead of a refund, the agency offers an alternative flight, which often has less desirable features like multiple layovers or inconvenient times, sometimes for an additional cost. A user recounted finding the exact same "sold out" flight still available for purchase directly on the airline's website.
• Upselling for "Confirmed" Seats: Some customers have been told their return flight is on a "stand by" basis unless they pay an additional fee—one user cited a $30 charge—to secure a confirmed seat on a flight they believed was already fully booked and paid for.

These interactions are not isolated incidents but form a clear pattern described in reviews across multiple platforms. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has documented a pattern of complaints against businesses associated with this model, citing sales issues where consumers are overcharged or sold additional services under the guise of promotions, and refund issues where customers are not refunded after cancellations.

Customer Service Concerns

The difficulties extend beyond booking and pricing. Many reviews highlight deeply negative experiences with customer service representatives, with some agents being described as rude, unprofessional, and unhelpful. Customers report being hung up on, struggling to get clear information, and finding it impossible to speak with a manager or supervisor, as agents often claim no one is above them. This lack of accountability and poor communication exacerbates the frustration of travelers who are already in a vulnerable position, having paid for a service they have yet to receive.

Business Practices and Transparency

Further investigation into the business raises questions about its operations. One customer, after a negative experience, researched the agency's address at 5600 N River Rd Suite 834, Rosemont, IL, and concluded it was a residence. While public records show this address is an office complex, the perception of a less-than-professional setup contributes to customer distrust. Furthermore, the BBB gives a related business at the same address, Travelcation, an "F" rating, citing failure to respond to numerous complaints. This suggests a broader issue with business practices at this location, which is a major concern for anyone considering them as their travel agency or as one of their trusted tour operators for planning vacation packages.

What Potential Customers Should Know

While Book My Travelin's website may display positive testimonials, the overwhelming weight of independent, third-party reviews and BBB complaints paints a very different picture. The consistent reports of post-booking price hikes and poor service suggest that the initial attractive price may not be the final price you pay. Travelers should exercise extreme caution.

Before booking, it is advisable to:

• Verify Directly with the Airline: If you find a deal on their site, check the airline's official website to see if the flight and price are available there. Booking direct, even for a slightly higher price, often eliminates the risks associated with third-party agents.
• Be Wary of Immediate Phone Calls: Be skeptical of any phone calls received shortly after booking that demand more money. A legitimate booking should result in an e-ticket and a confirmation number from the airline itself, not a request for additional payment.
• Understand the Confirmation: An email from the travel agency is not the same as an e-ticket from the airline. Do not consider your flight secured until you have an official confirmation and ticket number from the air carrier.

In conclusion, while Book My Travelin operates as an accessible online travel agent with 24-hour service, the significant volume of complaints regarding its sales tactics and customer support is a serious red flag. Potential savings on the initial booking may be negated by subsequent hidden fees, stressful negotiations, and the risk of having travel plans disrupted.