Man books Delhi-Vietnam flight via Flipkart, told his ticket doesn’t exist at check-in counter
In a bizarre incident, a man who booked a flight ticket from Delhi to Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island via Flipkart was left stranded at the airport after being told that his ticket was “invalid”. The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, claimed that he had booked a Vietjet flight ticket through the e-commerce platform, but when he reached the check-in counter, he was informed that the airline had no record of his booking.
The incident has raised questions about the reliability of booking flight tickets through third-party platforms like Flipkart. The man claimed that he had received a ticket with a PNR number, which is a unique identifier used by airlines to track bookings. However, when he presented the ticket at the check-in counter, he was told that it was not valid.
According to the man, he had booked the ticket well in advance and had received a confirmation email from Flipkart with all the details of his flight, including the PNR number. He had also paid for the ticket in full and had received a receipt from Flipkart. However, when he reached the airport, he was told that the airline had no record of his booking.
The man claimed that he was forced to purchase a new ticket at three times the price of the original ticket, which was a significant financial burden. He expressed his frustration and disappointment at the incident, stating that he had relied on Flipkart to book his ticket and had not expected such a situation to arise.
This incident highlights the risks associated with booking flight tickets through third-party platforms. While these platforms may offer convenience and competitive prices, they may not always provide the same level of reliability and security as booking directly with the airline. In this case, the man had received a ticket with a PNR number, which suggested that the booking was legitimate. However, the fact that the airline had no record of the booking raises questions about the integrity of the booking process.
The incident also raises questions about the role of Flipkart in the booking process. As an e-commerce platform, Flipkart acts as an intermediary between the customer and the airline. However, it appears that Flipkart may not have had the necessary systems in place to ensure that the booking was properly confirmed with the airline. This lack of communication and coordination between Flipkart and the airline resulted in the man being left stranded at the airport.
In recent years, there have been several instances of customers being left stranded due to invalid or non-existent bookings. In some cases, customers have been told that their bookings were cancelled due to technical issues or errors on the part of the airline or the booking platform. In other cases, customers have been forced to purchase new tickets at inflated prices due to the lack of availability of seats on the flight.
To avoid such situations, it is essential for customers to be cautious when booking flight tickets through third-party platforms. Here are some tips that customers can follow:
- Always book directly with the airline, if possible. This can help to ensure that the booking is properly confirmed and that the customer has a direct relationship with the airline.
- If booking through a third-party platform, make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. Understand the refund and cancellation policies, as well as the procedures for resolving disputes.
- Always verify the booking details, including the PNR number, flight number, and travel dates.
- Contact the airline directly to confirm the booking, especially if the customer has any doubts or concerns.
- Keep all documentation, including the booking confirmation and receipt, in case of any disputes or issues.
In conclusion, the incident of the man being told that his ticket was “invalid” at the check-in counter highlights the risks associated with booking flight tickets through third-party platforms. While these platforms may offer convenience and competitive prices, they may not always provide the same level of reliability and security as booking directly with the airline. Customers must be cautious and take necessary precautions to avoid such situations. As for the man who booked the Delhi-Vietnam flight via Flipkart, he was forced to purchase a new ticket at three times the price, which was a significant financial burden.
News source: https://www.republicworld.com/amp/viral/flipkart-flight-ticket-invalid-viral-customer-complaint