LastMinuteFare.net Cancelled flights, left us stranded Internet

In February 2008, we traveled from Tampa, FL to Sierra Leone, West Africa. When we arrived in London, we were told that our flights (6 people) had been cancelled. It was too early in the US for Last Minute Fare to be open, so we purchased additional tickets to complete our trip as business meetings had been scheduled upon our arrival.

As soon as we arrived in Sierra Leone, I contacted our agent "Michelle" by email to tell her what had happened. (no international phones were available) She assured me that she would refund our expense, and that she would straighten out the return flights which were also cancelled. After 3 weeks in Sierra Leone (a third world country with very limited communication and no credit card use available) "Michelle" still had not made arrangements for our return even though Last Minute Fare had been paid in full for a round trip flight. We were forced to RE-buy tickets after much travail and begging, we found an American Express travel agent who came to our rescue, issuing tickets at the "11th" hour.

Upon our return, I contacted "Michelle" and she said there was no problem, we would receive a full refund for our expenditures ($13,937.42) as it was their fault the tickets were cancelled. I forwarded her copies of the credit card expense on April 21st.

It is now August 7, 2008. I have called 18 times, each time "Michelle" assured me that the funds were going out to me. Then the next excuse was that it had to be passed through the accounting department and they would call me back (sure!!). The final time I attempted to call, the 800 number was not available to our calling area??

In the past 2 days, I have been in touch with "Pam" (or could it be Michelle??) who has informed me that they will only refund us $6,755 as that is the amount they got back from the airlines from the cancelled tickets. Leaving us with a $7,182.42 loss on something that was their fault.

This company is absolutely HORRID! They left us stranded in a third world country with no support and no communications. If anyone has an idea of how we can re-coop our money, I would be eternally grateful!

Nancy
Englewood, Florida
U.S.A.