Anyone heard of Getaway Escapes?
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Please be Warned-stay away from Ausflights-extremely dodgy!!!
I just had to let every one know of an extremely bad experience I have had with a company called Ausflights (also known as Getaway Escapes). I chose this forum as I had seen someone else asking about Ausflights before and felt I really had to warn consumers about them. My husband & I were offered a package deal over the phone where you pay $199 and get 4 return flight vouchers to a chosen destination in Australia(to be used with a year etc etc). On paying for this and getting the vouchers we discoverd that it was actually only 2 return flights and we'd have to pay for our daughter's return flights which put the cost up considerably. Also, the choice of locations they give you to stay in is very limited and normally the most expensive places. So we worked out that it would be cheaper and easier for us just to get our own flight deals & accomodation ourselves. I sent them about 3 emails requesting a refund with no reply. I then rang their 'company' and got onto the manager (who I heard harassing someone in the background over not checking emails) who assured me of a refund. I waited a few more weeks with no refund in sight. I emailed again but no response. Then I set about ringing them again and they went on to tell me they had 'no record' of our payment and I had to find it on our records and get back to them. So I did this and found it straight away on our credit card statement, rang them back AGAIN and they put me on hold again to 'check our details',promised to put the money in and that it would take 3-4 days. I rang back a week and a half later to enquire as there was no money in account, and got put on hold. I waited 5 minutes before realising I'd been put on hold permanently and so now I thought I'd write this all down so no-one else has to suffer the same treatment. Thankyou for reading this! Ausflights is Dodgy!!!
I just had to let every one know of an extremely bad experience I have had with a company called Ausflights (also known as Getaway Escapes). I chose this forum as I had seen someone else asking about Ausflights before and felt I really had to warn consumers about them. My husband & I were offered a package deal over the phone where you pay $199 and get 4 return flight vouchers to a chosen destination in Australia(to be used with a year etc etc). On paying for this and getting the vouchers we discoverd that it was actually only 2 return flights and we'd have to pay for our daughter's return flights which put the cost up considerably. Also, the choice of locations they give you to stay in is very limited and normally the most expensive places. So we worked out that it would be cheaper and easier for us just to get our own flight deals & accomodation ourselves. I sent them about 3 emails requesting a refund with no reply. I then rang their 'company' and got onto the manager (who I heard harassing someone in the background over not checking emails) who assured me of a refund. I waited a few more weeks with no refund in sight. I emailed again but no response. Then I set about ringing them again and they went on to tell me they had 'no record' of our payment and I had to find it on our records and get back to them. So I did this and found it straight away on our credit card statement, rang them back AGAIN and they put me on hold again to 'check our details',promised to put the money in and that it would take 3-4 days. I rang back a week and a half later to enquire as there was no money in account, and got put on hold. I waited 5 minutes before realising I'd been put on hold permanently and so now I thought I'd write this all down so no-one else has to suffer the same treatment. Thankyou for reading this! Ausflights is Dodgy!!!
nlagalle
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Re: Please be Warned-stay away from Ausflights-extremely dodgy!!!
Welcome to AFF TNSmith.. it's not good to hear that you are having problems.
I would be straight onto my CC company as they can reverse the funds for you as you haven't received what you bought.
I just had to let every one know of an extremely bad experience I have had with a company called Ausflights. I chose this forum as I had seen someone else asking about Ausflights before and felt I really had to warn consumers about them. My husband & I were offered a package deal over the phone where you pay $199 and get 4 return flight vouchers to a chosen destination in Australia(to be used with a year etc etc). On paying for this and getting the vouchers we discoverd that it was actually only 2 return flights and we'd have to pay for our daughter's return flights which put the cost up considerably. Also, the choice of locations they give you to stay in is very limited and normally the most expensive places. So we worked out that it would be cheaper and easier for us just to get our own flight deals & accomodation ourselves. I sent them about 3 emails requesting a refund with no reply. I then rang their 'company' and got onto the manager (who I heard harassing someone in the background over not checking emails) who assured me of a refund. I waited a few more weeks with no refund in sight. I emailed again but no response. Then I set about ringing them again and they went on to tell me they had 'no record' of our payment and I had to find it on our records and get back to them. So I did this and found it straight away on our credit card statement, rang them back AGAIN and they put me on hold again to 'check our details',promised to put the money in and that it would take 3-4 days. I rang back a week and a half later to enquire as there was no money in account, and got put on hold. I waited 5 minutes before realising I'd been put on hold permanently and so now I thought I'd write this all down so no-one else has to suffer the same treatment. Thankyou for reading this! Ausflights is Dodgy!!!
Welcome to AFF TNSmith.. it's not good to hear that you are having problems.
I would be straight onto my CC company as they can reverse the funds for you as you haven't received what you bought.
awilcockson
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Re: Please be Warned-stay away from Ausflights-extremely dodgy!!!
Chargeback is the phrase you need to use when you contact your CC provider.
Chargeback is the phrase you need to use when you contact your CC provider.
JohnK
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Re: Please be Warned-stay away from Ausflights-extremely dodgy!!!
Welcome to AFF TNSmith!
It is sad to hear your story and that this company is still around 'conning' people.
Can't someone do anything about them or is it simply another case of 'buyer beware'?
Welcome to AFF TNSmith!
It is sad to hear your story and that this company is still around 'conning' people.
Can't someone do anything about them or is it simply another case of 'buyer beware'?
I recently received a telemarketer call about this company and, in a moment of weakness, joined.
All I can say is that I lost my money. Please note they DO NOT offer cheap airfares because in signing up you commit to 7 days accommodation - Rack rate - something no-one charges.
As a customer I also found their service unhelpful - especially when I was wondering where my request to book fares and accommodation had gone. I thought, since I was caught, I would give them a try. Don't expect anything great and, despite promises, the manager never calls and you don't get a refund.
It would be cheaper going to a local travel agent.
Advice - Sign up for the airline special offer email newsletters and keep an eye on wotif - as a seasoned traveller this is the best way to prebook.
All I can say is that I lost my money. Please note they DO NOT offer cheap airfares because in signing up you commit to 7 days accommodation - Rack rate - something no-one charges.
As a customer I also found their service unhelpful - especially when I was wondering where my request to book fares and accommodation had gone. I thought, since I was caught, I would give them a try. Don't expect anything great and, despite promises, the manager never calls and you don't get a refund.
It would be cheaper going to a local travel agent.
Advice - Sign up for the airline special offer email newsletters and keep an eye on wotif - as a seasoned traveller this is the best way to prebook.
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Welcome to AFF robshack.. at least you know you are not the only one having problems with this group.
Personally, I would be contacting my CC company to get the funds reversed by disputing the charge. This should be possible as it is unlikely you received what what represented to you when you purchased.
Personally, I would be contacting my CC company to get the funds reversed by disputing the charge. This should be possible as it is unlikely you received what what represented to you when you purchased.
Thank you to all of you for posting this thread. Today I was harrassed by Ausflights and I told him to call me back in 20mins so I can look on their website. He wasn't happy about this and said all the offers might disappear in that time... I quickly did a search with their name + scam, and your thread came up.
I really appreciate all your messages and I can't wait for him to call me back any minute so I can tell him to get lost!
Really interesting thread!
Thanks.
I really appreciate all your messages and I can't wait for him to call me back any minute so I can tell him to get lost!
Really interesting thread!
Thanks.
thewinchester
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Great to here AFF has been of use to you.
Make sure to record as much information as possible, then ensure you pass on the details to your states consumer protection agency as soon as possible.
The more people who report this guy, the less likely he is to scam anyone out of their hard earned money.
If you have been scammed by Getaway Escapes AKA Ausflights, the best way to get your money back is to do a "charge back" at your bank. It has worked for some people, and you should do it ASAP as soon as you realise you have been scammed. If you cannot do a charge back I suggest you telephone Getaway Escapes on: 0755202574 and keep calling till you get a refund. Or visit them in person and demand a refund, there address is:
Unit 1, 79 West Burleigh Road
Burleigh Heads, Queensland 4220
You should also advise the appropriate authorities, as they are trying to shut the company down as thousands of people are being tricked out of there money.
Goodluck
Unit 1, 79 West Burleigh Road
Burleigh Heads, Queensland 4220
You should also advise the appropriate authorities, as they are trying to shut the company down as thousands of people are being tricked out of there money.
Goodluck
Oh no please stay away from this Company they are also called True Blue Flights (Ex Employees of Gateway) to find out more about this company and what there doing to people please visit Trip Advisor.co.uk True Blue just did me out of $800 (8 Tickets).
I did tell me when we came to book the flights we must also purchase 7 nights accommodation per 2 flight vouchers (all up 14 nights for the 4 flights) which was ok with me however he left out that the rate would be charged at the full rack rate and that we must use the hotels of their choice. Upon looking into some of the full rack rate of these hotels they are anywhere from $450.00 to $700.00 night. Even after I recieved the pack I rang True Blue Flights and asked about the cost of the accommodation and was told they try to obtain the best rate (not full rack rate) so after looking on the internet at these hotels and them displaying nightly rates of $150.00 - $200.00 night I thought thats what we would be paying. I'ts only now that I inquire into booking something I find out these ridiculous prices and after calling them am told theres nothing I can do, I've had the pack too long. Everything from the phone sales to the pack your sent is totaly misleading. Stay away from this company. I am now in the process of making a complaint to consumer affairs.
I did tell me when we came to book the flights we must also purchase 7 nights accommodation per 2 flight vouchers (all up 14 nights for the 4 flights) which was ok with me however he left out that the rate would be charged at the full rack rate and that we must use the hotels of their choice. Upon looking into some of the full rack rate of these hotels they are anywhere from $450.00 to $700.00 night. Even after I recieved the pack I rang True Blue Flights and asked about the cost of the accommodation and was told they try to obtain the best rate (not full rack rate) so after looking on the internet at these hotels and them displaying nightly rates of $150.00 - $200.00 night I thought thats what we would be paying. I'ts only now that I inquire into booking something I find out these ridiculous prices and after calling them am told theres nothing I can do, I've had the pack too long. Everything from the phone sales to the pack your sent is totaly misleading. Stay away from this company. I am now in the process of making a complaint to consumer affairs.
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Welcome to AFF casbra. Shame such a sad affair brought you here. :-|
Anyway, it may not be too late for you.
See the above post by steve1973 - it may work.
Anyway, it may not be too late for you.
See the above post by steve1973 - it may work.
M
missamiee
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Hi,
My stepdad purchased one of the 'couples travel vouchers' last march, and is now getting reminders to book. I came across this thread doing some research on the company! I didnt think too much of the voucher - with my parents coming to visit me in Brisbane from Western Australia, I figured the cost of a weeks accommodation would probably be about the same as the flights from there to here anyway!
However I just took a proper look through the accommodation package information and have found out the vouchers don't actually cover travel from Perth to Brisbane - It states that Perth to BRISBANE is "available with connecting fees. Your voucher will cover you to Sydney and you will then be required to pay the difference in airfare from there on"
This is a detail you cannot see until you receive the brochure with the terms and conditions - which they email you after payment.
I was wondering if anyone had any luck with complaints to consumer affairs? I am so sure they would not have made any mention of certain flights not being fully covered by the voucher. I am just trying to work out if there is anything I can do to retrieve my stepdads money so any advice would be great. (If only I had read through all the terms and conditions as soon as he booked it
)
My stepdad purchased one of the 'couples travel vouchers' last march, and is now getting reminders to book. I came across this thread doing some research on the company! I didnt think too much of the voucher - with my parents coming to visit me in Brisbane from Western Australia, I figured the cost of a weeks accommodation would probably be about the same as the flights from there to here anyway!
However I just took a proper look through the accommodation package information and have found out the vouchers don't actually cover travel from Perth to Brisbane - It states that Perth to BRISBANE is "available with connecting fees. Your voucher will cover you to Sydney and you will then be required to pay the difference in airfare from there on"
This is a detail you cannot see until you receive the brochure with the terms and conditions - which they email you after payment.
I was wondering if anyone had any luck with complaints to consumer affairs? I am so sure they would not have made any mention of certain flights not being fully covered by the voucher. I am just trying to work out if there is anything I can do to retrieve my stepdads money so any advice would be great. (If only I had read through all the terms and conditions as soon as he booked it
)
awilcockson
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. I am just trying to work out if there is anything I can do to retrieve my stepdads money so any advice would be great. (If only I had read through all the terms and conditions as soon as he booked it
I would have suggested a charge back through your credit card provider, but you may have left it a bit too long.
Always worth contacting consumer affairs/ACCC.
Tripadvisor has a heap of reviews of this company.All bad
Holiday Travel Forum: Getaway escapes - complaint scam scam - TripAdvisor
Holiday Travel Forum: Getaway escapes - complaint scam scam - TripAdvisor
Don't trust Getaway Escapes
The owner bungled our booking we made in April 2012. At Christmas time we were supposed to get a two bedroom self contained apartment and instead when we arrived were given a two bed hotel room. After getting no help from Getaway escapes we had to pay for an adjoining room and for our 2 teenange boys then pay for meals eaten out. The second lot of accommodation was correct. We then tried to communicate about it as we still had 2 flights left they refused to book the flights unless we booked more accommodation. We talked to several different staff members and the matter was never resolved. Even though it was thier mistake they were rude and not willing to co-operate. We have contacted Consumer Affairs and it will go to QCAT.
The owner bungled our booking we made in April 2012. At Christmas time we were supposed to get a two bedroom self contained apartment and instead when we arrived were given a two bed hotel room. After getting no help from Getaway escapes we had to pay for an adjoining room and for our 2 teenange boys then pay for meals eaten out. The second lot of accommodation was correct. We then tried to communicate about it as we still had 2 flights left they refused to book the flights unless we booked more accommodation. We talked to several different staff members and the matter was never resolved. Even though it was thier mistake they were rude and not willing to co-operate. We have contacted Consumer Affairs and it will go to QCAT.
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