Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Have I been scammed

86 replies

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:10

Sorry guys I'm currently worked up into a frenzy been awake all night worrying.
I booked airline tickets through a website called cheapflyshop at a cost of £800.
Ive recieved a booking confirmation email but on reading the details within the email it says e tickets to be issued within 48hrs and states ticket number pending.
It also says they are working with their suppliers to secure my reservation and places are in high demand.
I have since gone on this companies reviews and found that customers are been called and been asked to pay more money for different flights and for extras etc and when the customer has refused they will not refund money etc.
I am so worried now I can't afford to lose this money and cannot pay more.
Help what I do.

OP posts:
AnnaQuayInTheUk · 22/02/2025 07:15

I'm sorry but it sounds like a scam. If you paid on your credit card then you should be able to get the money back.

I know it's too late now, but in future if you're spending a significant amount of money. Google the website/ company before committing.

PrioritisePleasure24 · 22/02/2025 07:16

Have had a look on trust pilot … bad reviews followed by conveniently good reviews.

Looks like a secondary ticketing/ travel agent or similar that books flights for you maybe?

Not sure why you would hand over money to a company so easily without research. I always book flights direct with the airline.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:19

PrioritisePleasure24 · 22/02/2025 07:16

Have had a look on trust pilot … bad reviews followed by conveniently good reviews.

Looks like a secondary ticketing/ travel agent or similar that books flights for you maybe?

Not sure why you would hand over money to a company so easily without research. I always book flights direct with the airline.

I feel rotten now I was looking for the best deal and settled on this company.

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 22/02/2025 07:19

I’ve looked at the reviews and most are good, there is one that had a problem with refunds, but it got sorted out and they were refunded. Have you paid by credit card, if you have you can claim back stating goods/services not what you had paid for. Or just wait and see if they come up with flights for the money you’ve paid.

Missionimprobable · 22/02/2025 07:20

You could try asking your bank or credit card for a chargeback.
Not sure if this will work as its usually for if you've been charged twice or for faulty goods etc but ring up and ask.
Dont wait, do it now.
Also use the 14 day cooling off period, contact the company and say you want to cancel, 14 days is the minimum UK cooling off period.
Update us, good luck

MrsJamin · 22/02/2025 07:21

If you read the trust pilot reviews they are all similarly badly written and not very specific. I'd say the good reviews are fake too. I'd talk to your credit card company.

Didimum · 22/02/2025 07:22

The good trustpilot reviews are very obviously fake. They all have the same writing style.

How did you pay?

BellaCiao23 · 22/02/2025 07:24

Always book directly with the airline. I’ve been scammed a couple of times by these middle men flight companies. You didn’t receive your flight at the agreed price, so you can get a chargeback from your credit card company.

Greenwallpinkwall · 22/02/2025 07:24

Yes you’ve been scammed. Ring your credit card company today. So rubbish for you

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:24

I paid by credit card

OP posts:
Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:26

I wasn't sure whether to give them the 48hrs to see if they honour what I thought I'd booked.

OP posts:
Samung · 22/02/2025 07:26

Ring the card company now Op

Farellyo · 22/02/2025 07:26

Reading their terms & conditions they operate by trying to secure your flight once you have paid, rather than it being an instantaneous booking. They might come back with a booking confirmation (at the moment and until this arrives you don't have a legally binding contract with them), or yes they might come back and say we couldn't get one for that price but here's one for hundreds more.

Your options

Contact them now and try to cancel, they'll probably say too late we have already booked a flight but worth a try.

They come back and offer a flight for a higher price- get in writing that they cannot offer what you agreed to purchase and decline, this will help with a bank refund although not sure how successful this would be.

They come back and confirm flights as requested and for the agreed price and all legit.

Nothing online to suggest they're dodgy as iney sell fake flights or whatever, but they operate in a very backwards way (albeit this is in the terms clearly on their website).

Globules · 22/02/2025 07:27

I've used these type of websites a few times to book long haul flights.

I've never had an issue. My tickets always arrived within 48 hours.

I never left a review for the companies I used. Most people don't if they're buying something online and it's a smooth transaction.

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:29

Farellyo · 22/02/2025 07:26

Reading their terms & conditions they operate by trying to secure your flight once you have paid, rather than it being an instantaneous booking. They might come back with a booking confirmation (at the moment and until this arrives you don't have a legally binding contract with them), or yes they might come back and say we couldn't get one for that price but here's one for hundreds more.

Your options

Contact them now and try to cancel, they'll probably say too late we have already booked a flight but worth a try.

They come back and offer a flight for a higher price- get in writing that they cannot offer what you agreed to purchase and decline, this will help with a bank refund although not sure how successful this would be.

They come back and confirm flights as requested and for the agreed price and all legit.

Nothing online to suggest they're dodgy as iney sell fake flights or whatever, but they operate in a very backwards way (albeit this is in the terms clearly on their website).

I honestly thought it was going to be a confirmed booking I wouldn't have bothered if I'd known it wasn't.

OP posts:
ChompandaGrazia · 22/02/2025 07:32

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:24

I paid by credit card

That’s good. I’d be inclined to contact the card company and see if they can help.

ThinWomansBrain · 22/02/2025 07:33

Cheapflyshop UK Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of cheapflyshop.co.uk

I've not read the 5 star reviews, but it seems odd that the reviews are polarised at either 1 or 5 - that's not a usual pattern.
They have responded to all the poor reviews - but that could just mean they're very aware of the importance of trustpilot, and feed it with the dodgy 5* ones.

Farellyo · 22/02/2025 07:37

Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 07:29

I honestly thought it was going to be a confirmed booking I wouldn't have bothered if I'd known it wasn't.

Show quote history

Whilst not point beating yourself up about it, it does say on their website clearly in the terms how they operate. Too late now for this, but I'm sure you've learnt for the future it's useful to read the information on the website before booking. Chances are you'll recieve your booking confirmation in the time frame and for the price you paid, fingers crossed.

toomuchfaff · 22/02/2025 07:40

Next time try "Google flights" or skyscanner - shows you all the actual flights via the airlines sites. Never fails to find best options.

Brackenfield · 22/02/2025 07:41

Even if a ticket does come through, if there's any issues such as delays or cancellations you will be in an awkward limbo of neither the airline or the company fully wanting or being able to refund etc. I would always book direct with the airline, it's a nightmare enough when things go wrong never mind adding a slightly sketchy third party to mix

gettingthehangofsewing · 22/02/2025 07:43

This is normal procedure for this type of company so I don't think it's a scam in the sense of they have your £800 you will never hear from them again. But as others said it will go one of two ways-

1, they find flights and all is well

2, they don't find flights, the flights they come back with are more expensive and they expect more money

My dd almost booked with a similar company but got scared and didn't do it. Somehow they sent a booking anyway (she hadn't paid ) when I rang I spoke to a really shitty person who after I explained there had been a error said if she didn't get on the flight she would still have to pay. They didn't have her bank details and actually I was ringing as a courtesy so I let them crack on. We never heard back.

You can try to cancel now or wait and see . It's good you paid by credit card as that may be an option for refund.

JackJarvisEsq · 22/02/2025 07:50

If they’ve made it clear how they operate your credit card company will likely tell you to go away.

you made the choice to pay on the terms the company laid out

FashionCrazy · 22/02/2025 07:52

I've booked before using tour operators who sell a holiday first and then go on to book it after payment. Most of the time it's worked out fine (had to wait a few days) but once or twice we've ended up receiving a refund as there was no availability

monsterfish · 22/02/2025 07:59

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6457094/non-refundable-flight/p3

Genuine experiences of this company on moneysavingexpert

Original poster
Charltonstrek · 22/02/2025 08:03

I sent a message to the email address they've provided and it's bounced back

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread