Travel Agency Holds Passport, ₹1-Lakh Advance as Woman Cancels Euro Trip; Ordered to Return Both
Traveling abroad can be an exhilarating experience, but what if the travel agency withholds your passport and a significant amount of your advance payment, citing non-refundable terms? This is exactly what happened to 63-year-old Chandraprabha from Bengaluru, who was left feeling frustrated and helpless. However, the consumer commission has now ordered Chariot World Tours, the travel agency in question, to return both her passport and ₹95,000 of the ₹1-lakh advance she had paid to book an 18-night, 19-day Europe tour.
Chandraprabha’s ordeal began when she booked the tour with Chariot World Tours in November 2020. She had been looking forward to the trip, but just a day after booking, her doctor suggested that she cancel the trip due to health reasons. She promptly contacted the agency and informed them about her decision to cancel the tour. However, the agency was not willing to return her money, citing the non-refundable nature of the advance payment.
The agency went a step further by withholding her passport, claiming that it was a necessary document for the tour. Chandraprabha was left feeling helpless and left with no choice but to approach the consumer commission for justice.
The consumer commission, after hearing both sides of the story, ruled in favor of Chandraprabha. The commission ordered Chariot World Tours to return her passport and ₹95,000 of the advance payment, which is a significant portion of the total amount paid. The commission also directed the agency to pay Chandraprabha an additional ₹10,000 as compensation for the mental harassment and distress caused by their actions.
This ruling is a significant victory for Chandraprabha, who had been fighting to get her passport and money back for months. Her determination and perseverance have paid off, and she has been able to get justice.
The consumer commission’s ruling is also a reminder to travel agencies that they must adhere to fair and transparent practices when dealing with customers. Withholding a customer’s passport and refusing to return their money is unacceptable and can have serious consequences for the agency.
In recent years, there have been several instances of travel agencies withholding passports and refusing to return money to customers who have canceled their trips. This practice is not only unethical but also illegal. The consumer commission’s ruling in this case sends a strong message to travel agencies that they must respect their customers’ rights and adhere to fair and transparent practices.
Chandraprabha’s story is a reminder to all of us to be cautious when booking a trip with a travel agency. Before booking, it is essential to read the terms and conditions carefully and ensure that you understand the refund and cancellation policies. It is also important to do your research and choose a reputable and trustworthy travel agency.
In conclusion, Chandraprabha’s case is a classic example of how a travel agency can go wrong and how the consumer commission can provide justice to a customer. The commission’s ruling is a reminder to travel agencies to adhere to fair and transparent practices, and to customers to be vigilant and do their research before booking a trip.
