Bait and Switch - French Style

I truly can't remember ever being this totally pissed off. I mean, talk about not even getting a kiss.

Here's the email I've been sending to anyone and everyone regarding what should have been a beautiful trip to France and Italy... buyer beware

"In May, I bought myself and a companion a ticket to Paris with Air France. I was told that I would be able to change the name on my companion ticket. Air France sent me an itinerary and the terms and conditions of the promotion. Neither mentioned "non-transferrable" or "non-refundable". It did NOT state that I could not change the name of the companion, only that I must travel "with a companion". In June, I found out my friend could not go with me so I asked my mother to go. When we got to Dulles airport, I was told that I could not change the name of my companion and since I was not going to travel with the original person, I could not go to Paris either. I was also told that Air France would not refund any of my money.

After arguing with the Air France people, I finally gave up, but asked to have their names so I could reference them in my letter to Air France. Can you believe, nobody would give me their name? They all ran like sheep from a wolf. Obviously, I'm not the first moron to get ripped off like this.

I'm so mad, I could spit nails. I not only lost the $600 for the tickets, but I bought a ticket to DC (and had to change the return at an additional $100), I had two hotel room reservations, two train tickets, and two airport shuttle tickets - all total about $1,500!! My travel agent told me that there were 24 available seats on the plane and she could not figure out why they were being so belligerent.

I am a very experienced traveler and never would have thought that I could get screwed like this. Let your listeners know that this could happen to them, too."

That's all for now as I am getting sick just thinking about it.