Travel firm told to refund Rs 85,588 to Punjab resident for cancellation of ‘honeymoon’ trip

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MakeMy trip India in reply submitted that it merely acts as a facilitator for booking confirmed air tickets/hotel bookings on behalf of its customers with the service providers concernedThe District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Chandigarh has directed MakeMyTrip India to refund Rs 85,588 to a Punjab resident for cancellation of the latter’s ‘honeymoon’ trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Jaskirat Singh of Kharar said in his complaint that on making enquiries about honeymoon trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from MakeMyTrip India through an application, he received a call from the firm, offering package regarding the same and assured to arrange everything at its own risk and responsibility.Singh said that he accordingly, on February 14, 2022, paid an amount of Rs 85,588 in favour of MakeMyTrip India (travel firm) through Google Pay mobile app and the trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was booked for him and his wife starting from February 24, 2022, till March 2, 2022. Thereafter, the firm informed him that to-and-fro air tickets were also booked with Go Airlines (India) Limited. Singh said that he and his wife shopped extensively for the trip and also booked train tickets from their hometown to Delhi for February 23, 2022, and the return train ticket for March 2, 2022. However, on February 22, 2025 at 5:25 pm, he received a phone call from travel firm informing that the trip had been cancelled due to some maintenance work at the Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair, due to which the Go Airlines would not be flying to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He also received email regarding the same stating that the offer date change travel must be completed by June 30, 2022, (non-sea shell hotels and May 31, 2022 (sea shell hotels). Singh thus called the travel firm, and demanded refund but it outrighlty refused to do so. The complainant also served a legal notice but with no success.MakeMy trip India in reply submitted that it merely acts as a facilitator for booking confirmed air tickets/hotel bookings on behalf of its customers with the service providers concerned. The firm added that the hotel bookings were duly issued to the complainant on February 14, 2022 itself. Thereafter, it was informed on February 16, 2022, about Port Blair Airport being non-operational due to maintenance work and accordingly flight tickets were cancelled by the Go Airlines (India) and when it (travel firm) approached the hotel/resorts concerned to process refund, the same was denied and instead a date change option was provided.Meanwhile, the Go Airlines (India) Limited failed to file its written version within the stipulated period granted by the commission.On hearing the matter, the commission said that it does not find any merit in the defence of MakeMyTrip India as the tour package in question was booked by the complainant as per his convenience and comfort, and if the same was cancelled due to circumstances beyond anybody’s control and the offer of rescheduled period did not meet the complainant’s requirements and convenience, he was fully justified in seeking refund.Moreover, the complainant has not alleged that the scheduled tour was cancelled due to any act or negligence of the travel firm but his only grievance is qua the non-refund of the paid amount, especially when no services were provided by the firm. Hence, the act of travel firm in not refunding the paid amount, despite requests and service of notice by the complainant, certainly amounts to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on its part, said the commission.Story continues below this adThe commission thus directed MakeMyTrip India to refund Rs 85,588 to the complainant, along with Rs 10,000 as compensation.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:MakeMyTrip