Queens friends lose tens of thousands as booking service refuses refunds

In late 2023, a group of friends from Queens planned a trip to Egypt to celebrate Tracey Jones' retirement. However, as tensions escalated in the region due to the Israel-Hamas war, the group decided to cancel their travel plans, thinking they would face no issues due to the refundable tickets and travel insurance they had purchased. They contacted the third-party booking service, FlightsAssist, expecting a smooth refund process. Instead, over a year later, they have yet to see any money returned, despite claims that their tickets were fully refundable. The group of friends, led by Tracey Jones, initially believed they had taken all necessary precautions by purchasing tickets that were described as refundable, along with travel insurance. They were reassured by communications from FlightsAssist, which provided details of the ticket price, including a substantial amount allocated for travel insurance. However, after their cancellation, they were met with a lack of response and accountability from the booking service. Despite numerous attempts to retrieve their funds, their pleas have gone unanswered. As complaints about FlightsAssist grew, the Better Business Bureau recorded over 106 similar grievances within three years. Customers have reported feeling misled, often believing they were dealing directly with airlines rather than a third-party service. The confusion often stems from the fact that individuals contacted or were contacted by representatives who claimed to be affiliated with airlines but were actually operating under FlightsAssist. This breakdown in communication has left many customers in a state of frustration and financial loss. Despite the turmoil, Tracey Jones remains hopeful for a potential refund but feels compelled to warn others about the risks of using FlightsAssist. She wishes to expose the company's practices and urges potential travelers to be cautious when using third-party booking sites. Jones and her friends serve as a cautionary tale for consumers in the increasingly complex world of travel booking, where many people are unaware of the potential pitfalls of third-party services.