SMART FARES Travel Help Desk SENT CONFIRMATION FOR FLIGHT WHEN NO TICKET EXISTED. BLAMES BANK. CALLED BANK, BANK SAID NOT THEIR FAULT. MISSED FLIGHT SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA

On May 14th at around 12 a.m I purchased a ticket online through Smart Fares.  Gave credit card information and later receive a confirmation of the booking.

Later that day I realize that the ticket itenary was not sent, so I called them to find out what happen.  They told me that pending verification from the bank they will release the actual eticket at that time.  I should wait 2-3 hours.  I waited few hours.

At around 8:30 - 9:00 p.m, I called again, because I still did not see the ticket with a ticket number.  The gentleman told me, it will arrive by 10:00 p.m.  At 10:00 pm I checked and no tickets.  I called and he said just stay on the phone and he will send it right away.  He finannly sent it, at least so I thought.

Everything seemed okay and he told me that the number on the original confirmation was the one to give at checkin.  I arrive this morning at the airport and the airline confirmed their was no seat on the plane booked under my name.  I was in tears and so shocked.

I called Smart Fares and they told me that pending verification the credit card was not charged as yet.  I asked them if their was a problem with verification from the bank, why did no one called me and tell me that their was an issue with the card?

They only called when I was on the phone with them about the ticket.  I called the bank and the credit card company said there is no issue with the credit card.  

I now believe that this was a scam from beginning and they had no ticket for me.  So they sent a confirmation as a sham when no tickets existed from day one.  This is not a great service and I need some answers.  They are a bunch of jokes.

I checked with the bank and at the time they did not charge my card, because now the travel date has passed.