Jack Gleeson, from Dublin, got in touch when he was left out of pocket after his flight was cancelled
“I travelled with Aer Lingus to Sofia for Christmas. Our flight home, on January 3rd, was cancelled at the last minute, due to bad weather. Airport staff told us Aer Lingus would organise hotels, and some of us were given the name of a hotel where rooms were pre-paid.
“However, many others were given the name of another hotel and were told to make their own way and pay – Aer Lingus would refund us later.
“On our way to the hotel a few passengers, including myself and my wife, were charged up to €30 by taxi drivers for the five-minute trip to the hotel, which should cost no more than €5.
“Our taxi driver kept our luggage locked in his trunk until we paid up, and the only policeman around shrugged his shoulders and walked away when we complained to him.
“On our return we realised that Aer Lingus, like many airlines, can only be contacted by letter or fax for complaints. We faxed the hotel bill and taxi receipt – yes, even the rip-off merchants in Sofia issue them when asked – to Aer Lingus twice but have heard nothing.
“Is it worth contacting them again, or should we take the matter up with consumer affairs?”
Aer Lingus respondsA customer-service representative has been in contact with Mr Gleeson. His claim has been resolved and a refund of expenses has been sent to him. We apologise for the delay in responding and are pleased that this matter has been brought to a conclusion.
Email your experiences to go@irishtimes.com
KATE HOLMQUIST, editor of Go, writes about a new trend
There has been a reversal in the sequence of engagement, marriage and honeymoon. Tour Africa, a specialist subsidiary of Tour America, says many couples are booking their South African honeymoon for this year but leaving their weddings for 2010. Last week in Go we reported on the amazing deals on offer for 2009, and many savvy couples are taking advantage, even though they don’t plan to get married until next year. Sonia Gabriel of Tour Africa tells me that some couples are throwing caution to the winds and taking advantage of the euro-rand exchange rate to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as going on safari and whale-watching. It makes sense. With everyone in a doom-and-gloom mood, and the future uncertain, couples in love have every reason to live in the present and enjoy life. So postpone the wedding.