Frustration dealing with Flight Centre

argon5000

Earning My Ears
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Sorry Long post

We normally find bookings online that we take to Flight Centre in order to have them price match all bookings. Not strictly necessary, but in the past with cancellations etc happening, it's been good to have all issue handled by them... essentially making it their issue to sort out on our behalf.

But now i'm experiencing some frustrations with our current dealings.

We have a $300 voucher that can be used for ground based activities, tickets etc. So we decided to approach Flight Centre to purchase our Disneyworld tickets for our December trip this year to take advantage of the savings. I took a snapshot of the Undercover Tourist site, with our quantity and dates filled in and sent it to Flight Centre.

They said OK we'll purchase, apply the $300 voucher and you will save some money.

They quoted us with a pretty poor exchange rate with all sorts of fees applied. I paid the final amount, which was less than i could get them direct for. So initially it wasn't too bad... not as much saved as i expected, but at least it was sorted. Naturally i asked for the e-tickets immediately so i could add to the My Disney Experience.

That's when the issues started to arise. They said,
I have just got off the phone to Disney Vacations, and we require the following before Disney can released the number
- Your personal hotel booking at one of the Disneyworld Hotels (if booked by yourself, Disney can't guarantee it will link, as they have advised it needs to be booked in the one system).
If you have booked your hotel outside of Disneyworld, unfortunately you will not be able to link your profile to the app until you arrive at Disneyworld.

I told them this was false and additionally that as per Undercover Tourist's site e-tickets are available 24 to 48 hours after purchase. I said i would expect the tickets purchased through Flight Centre would be the same. Also that i need the tickets to be available before our DW check-in date as we are staying off site for a dew days before checking into POFQ.

I then received the following response;

The E tickets will be available, however the confirmation number that Disney send at a later date is not sent until 60 or 30 days prior to your departure date depending on whether you have a direct reservation with Disneyworld.
I will email Disney now in regards to your reservation to see if that will enable us to have this expedited.
I can confirm an urgent request has been sent to Disney to see whether we can obtain the numbers for you upload into your profile.
Since you wish to use your tickets prior to your arrival date at a Disney property, I don't know whether this will be an issue or not.
I will forward you the direct correspondence from Disney the moment I receive it.


I feel like i'm taking crazy pills, as nothing i tell them is being absorbed... I've let them know that know that all i need is the e-ticket so i can add to MDE.

It's as if they don't understand that i can buy tickets independent of accommodation.


Can anyone else confirm i have this right??... I've told them i'll request a refund should they not be able to satisfy my request. Regretting using Flight Centre at all now. I feel like they really don't know what they're talking about... like why would i need an e-ticket and a confirmation number. The e-ticket is enough!

TLDR:
Flight Centre said they can't give me tickets less than 60 days out and only if i have an on-site booking
 
Doesn’t make any sense at all. I’ve bought tickets from undercover tourist multiple times and there’s never been a mention of that. They email pretty quick and I link them straight away. The only issue of onsite or not is the time at which you can book your fast passes. Sounds like you’re experienced enough to know about the importance of linking tickets to MDE for fastpasses.

I am a control freak so do all my bookings myself. Maybe ask to speak with a manager or more senior staff member with experience in WDW? Then they’ll either sort it out or explain some rare category of ticket that they’ve sold.
 
Yeah going to call them direct in the morning.
I suspect I have some junior that has is getting confused after calling their wholesaler.

I also suspect they’ve not processed the correct dates for my tickets... should have just down it myself
 
When dealing with travel agents (from large chains like this) I feel like I need to repeat everything from the beginning every time I contact them, or else they have no idea what I'm talking about. I wouldn't be surprised half the time if I'm talking to someone new each time 🙄

I hope you get it sorted. I've definitely gotten ticket numbers pretty much straight away, and usually I rent DVC.
 


I hope it all works out for you but I can’t say I’m suprised. I’ve dealt with them twice, both bad experiences and won’t be using them ever again. They definitely have no particular knowledge of Disney apart fro been able to sell the 10 day tickets for DL. You are correct that they just don’t understand the process for WDW.

In any case, even though it’s probably too late you’ll generally find the UK 7, 14 and 21 day tickets much better value than the US based tickets. The various resellers will ship them to Australia from the UK no problem, they include hoppers, Memory Maker and more options and a few other discounts and perks.

Keep onto Flight Centre but it’s possible they are just getting a voucher, not an e ticket so you may need to call Disney for the actual number. Worse still, they may be “Will Call” tickets so you may want to check that as well.

To be fair, it’s not just FC, very few bricks and mortar agencies are familiar with Disney. My own TA is excellent but asked me for advice when she went to DL.
 
Thankfully I've juts now received the confirmation codes today after much arguing with the agent over the weekend.

They wouldn't return my calls and have been spreading some misinformation as below. Safely say this is the last time i'll be dealing with them.
474432
 


They are a nightmare to deal with and have no clue about Disney. I have used UT several times now and usually get tickets instantly. So glad you got the codes eventually.
 
Just ridiculous. I hope it's smooth sailing from here.
 
I only use them for flights as they can price match, anything else is a pain. Ive had them book the wrong hotel, charge double for airport transfers, not give us airline reference numbers on the itinerary. The list goes on
 
I agree. I only use them for flights. Everything else Disney either gets done myself or through a Disney vacation specialist.
 
Any recommendations on a Disney Vacation Specialist in Australia? Or do you use an overseas one?
 
I must say in the current climate I can reiterate that booking FLIGHTS through FC has been a godsend. Qantas policy seemed dicey for a refund for our March trip (yes, can you believe that) and their call center is completely overwhelmed. Travel insurance no help either.

I walked into FC, they had their own policy with Qantas. All fees waived on both parties, got refund approved and walked out. I'll definitely continue to book flights through them.
 

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