Cheap Fair Deal

Located at 295 Carlton Ave, East Rutherford, NJ, Cheap Fair Deal operates as a travel agency, presenting itself to the public as a source for affordable travel arrangements. The company, which also operates under the legal name AMS Incentives LLC, aims to attract customers looking for budget travel options, primarily through its online presence. The core service proposition revolves around securing competitive prices on flights and potentially other travel services. As an online travel agent, its business model is based on providing a platform for consumers to search for and book airline tickets without the need to consult multiple airline websites directly. In principle, this service is meant to offer convenience and cost savings to travelers planning their next trip.

Service Promises vs. Customer Reality

While the name "Cheap Fair Deal" suggests reliability and value, a deep dive into customer feedback reveals a profoundly different reality. The agency holds an extremely low rating based on available public reviews. The consistency across these reviews points to a pattern of serious operational and ethical issues that potential customers must consider. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the company an "F" rating, its lowest possible grade, citing a failure to respond to numerous complaints filed against the business. This lack of engagement is a significant red flag, suggesting an unwillingness to address or resolve customer grievances.

Widespread and Serious Allegations

The complaints lodged against this agency are not minor inconveniences; they are severe allegations of financial misconduct and deceptive business practices. A recurring theme involves a "bait and switch" tactic. Customers report booking airline tickets at an advertised price, only to receive a call shortly after payment, claiming the fare is no longer available. At this point, they are allegedly pressured to pay a significantly higher price to confirm their booking or to switch to different, often less convenient, flights. One reviewer on the BBB site detailed this exact experience, stating that less than an hour after booking, they were told the flight was unavailable and would require a $300 or $400 increase.

Another alarming practice reported by multiple consumers involves cancellation fees and refund difficulties. Customers who refuse to pay the inflated price are often told they must pay a hefty cancellation fee, sometimes demanded through unconventional payment methods like Zelle. One user stated they were told they would have to pay $119 via Zelle to get a refund after being subjected to a bait-and-switch price increase. The company's own refund policy is complex and heavily favors the agency, stating that most tickets are non-refundable and that any potential refund is at the discretion of the airline, a process over which the agency claims to have no control regarding the timeline.

Financial and Booking Discrepancies

Perhaps the most serious accusation leveled against Cheap Fair Deal is the failure to apply payments to bookings. One of the initial reviews that brought the company's practices to light stated, "This is a scam they took a payment on my Amex card then failed to apply it to the booking." This situation represents the worst-case scenario for any traveler: believing you have a confirmed reservation, only to discover at the airport that no ticket was ever issued in your name. This not only leads to financial loss but can cause catastrophic disruption to travel plans. Multiple users on platforms like Reddit and Sitejabber echo these concerns, with some reporting that they were never provided with an official airline PNR (Passenger Name Record) or e-ticket, only an internal booking ID that holds no value with the airline. This is a critical failure for any legitimate travel agency or tour operators, whose primary function is to secure valid reservations.

The Verdict for Prospective Travelers

For individuals or families planning vacation packages or simply booking flights, the evidence strongly suggests that engaging with Cheap Fair Deal carries a substantial risk. The promise of low-cost travel deals is overshadowed by a consistent pattern of severe customer complaints, an "F" rating from the BBB, and direct accusations of fraudulent activity. The issues reported—including bait-and-switch pricing, failure to confirm bookings after payment, and obstructive refund processes—are fundamental breaches of trust between a service provider and a consumer.

While the company's website may present a professional appearance, the volume of negative experiences suggests systemic problems within its operations. Travelers are advised to exercise extreme caution. It is highly recommended to book directly with airlines or use well-established and positively reviewed travel consultants and agencies. Before committing to any third-party booking service, especially one with a name that seems too good to be true, thorough research into its reputation on independent review sites and the BBB is an essential step to protect oneself from financial loss and travel-related distress. The risk of ending up with no ticket and a complicated battle to recover funds appears to be disproportionately high with this particular agency.