Paid for Flight + Hotel Package But Only Got Hotel? Here’s What to Do

Indian Travel Help
A worried traveler sitting in a hotel room, holding a document and wallet with dollar bills, looking confused and concerned.

Paid for Flight + Hotel Package But Only Got Hotel? Here’s What to Do

Booking a flight + hotel combo can seem like a great deal—until the flight portion mysteriously disappears from your itinerary. This situation is more common than most travelers think, and it can ruin your entire trip if not addressed quickly and correctly.

In this article, we’ll explain why this scam happens, your legal rights, and the exact steps you can take to recover your money or get the promised service.

🧾 Why Does This Happen?

Travel agencies and booking websites often advertise discounted packages combining flights and hotels. However, in some dishonest cases:

  • They only book the hotel and pocket the flight cost.
  • The agency may claim to have booked the flight, but fail to do so.
  • You’re sent a fake flight itinerary or reference number.
  • Hidden terms may state the flight is “subject to availability”, allowing them to skip it.

Sometimes it’s a genuine booking error, but in many cases, it’s a deliberate fraud.

🛑 Immediate Steps to Take If You Got Only Hotel

✅ 1. Double Check the Booking Email or Voucher

Start by reviewing:

  • Whether the flight details were clearly listed
  • Booking reference (PNR) for the airline
  • Any disclaimers in small print

If you don’t see a flight confirmation or e-ticket, it’s likely the flight was never booked.

✅ 2. Contact the Travel Agency Immediately

Call or email the agency demanding:

  • A confirmed e-ticket or PNR number
  • Proof of flight booking and payment
  • An explanation of the missing service

Ask for a written response. Save all communication.

✅ 3. Call the Airline to Verify Your Ticket

If you received a flight reference number, contact the airline directly to verify:

  • If a booking exists under your name
  • The ticket status: confirmed, canceled, or non-existent

This step helps expose whether the agency issued a fake ticket.

✅ 4. Demand a Partial or Full Refund

If the agency fails to provide the flight or has scammed you:

  • Demand a refund of the flight portion
  • If you don’t trust them, ask for a full cancellation and refund

You’re legally entitled to a refund if the promised service wasn’t delivered.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights Under Indian Consumer Law

Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, you have legal protection against:

  • False advertising
  • Deficient service
  • Partial fulfillment of travel packages

If you’ve received only part of the services promised, you can:

  • File a formal consumer complaint online
  • Approach the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
  • Claim refund, damages, and compensation for mental stress and inconvenience

📑 How to File a Complaint

🛡️ Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Collect all evidence:

  • Payment receipts
  • Chat/email records
  • Screenshots of the booking
  • Terms and conditions

  1. Send a legal notice to the travel agency via email/post.

  2. File an online complaint at consumerhelpline.gov.in or edakhil.nic.in.

  3. If needed, Indian Travel Help can assist with:

  • Drafting legal complaints
  • Contacting authorities
  • Escalating the matter legally

🕵️ Tips to Avoid This Scam in the Future

  • Always ask for individual confirmations for both hotel and flight.
  • Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
  • Use only verified travel platforms and registered agencies.
  • Read all terms carefully, especially sections marked “subject to availability”.
  • Pay via credit card or verified gateway for traceability and refund options.

📢 Call Indian Travel Help If You’ve Been Cheated

If you’ve been scammed or partially serviced by an Indian travel agency, don’t stay silent. The longer you wait, the harder it is to recover your money.

Indian Travel Help offers:

✅ Legal consultation for travel fraud
✅ Help with consumer complaints
✅ Agency verification services
✅ Documentation and refund assistance

📲 Contact Indian Travel Help

🌐 Website: www.indiantravelhelp.com
📧 Email: support@indiantravelhelp.com
📍 Availability: 24/7 Assistance

✅ Final Thoughts

Paying for a flight + hotel package and receiving only one part of it is not just disappointing—it’s illegal. Whether it was a mistake or a scam, you have the right to demand full accountability, and Indian Travel Help is here to support you through every step.

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