Interesting Situation
Jul 10, 2006 | 12:01 pm
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
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Interesting Situation
I have a travel experience with India and I haven't even been there yet...
OK, I booked a cabin for travel on the Palace on Wheels train for the one week trip through Rajastan in December. I paid the 25% deposit up front in May and settled down to wait.
The agent (India Travel Holiday) emails me a few days ago and tells me that the Indian Tourist board has cancelled my reservation due to a large tour group coming in at that time. They offered to either change my dates or book a different tour during that time.
Now, when my vacation time was approved by work, I went ahead and booked my flights (non refundable). This trip also includes travel in Europe, so it is not very flexible. Also, my VISA expires shortly after the trip I had originally planned.
Now, the package they offered included a cabin in the Heritage on Wheels train and some other tours / hotels around the Rajastan area for the time I will be in India. In their defense, the itinerary the agency developed as a replacement looks very good. The hotels they have planned look to be absolutely top-notch, especially the one near the Taj Mahal. They are also trying (maybe) to get back my reservation. But I'm still at a loss for how the tourist board can cancel a reservation (with a deposit) for someone just to accomodate a tour group. First come, first served ?
Anyway, I'm thinking that maybe they did this to me because I am single, traveling by myself, and they can get more money by putting two people in a cabin? In the US, this would probably be breach of contract.
Has this happened to anyone, or do I even have a case? I don't know who I would report it too, anyway.
OK, I booked a cabin for travel on the Palace on Wheels train for the one week trip through Rajastan in December. I paid the 25% deposit up front in May and settled down to wait.
The agent (India Travel Holiday) emails me a few days ago and tells me that the Indian Tourist board has cancelled my reservation due to a large tour group coming in at that time. They offered to either change my dates or book a different tour during that time.
Now, when my vacation time was approved by work, I went ahead and booked my flights (non refundable). This trip also includes travel in Europe, so it is not very flexible. Also, my VISA expires shortly after the trip I had originally planned.
Now, the package they offered included a cabin in the Heritage on Wheels train and some other tours / hotels around the Rajastan area for the time I will be in India. In their defense, the itinerary the agency developed as a replacement looks very good. The hotels they have planned look to be absolutely top-notch, especially the one near the Taj Mahal. They are also trying (maybe) to get back my reservation. But I'm still at a loss for how the tourist board can cancel a reservation (with a deposit) for someone just to accomodate a tour group. First come, first served ?
Anyway, I'm thinking that maybe they did this to me because I am single, traveling by myself, and they can get more money by putting two people in a cabin? In the US, this would probably be breach of contract.
Has this happened to anyone, or do I even have a case? I don't know who I would report it too, anyway.
Jul 15, 2006 | 4:54 pm
#2
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
The original Palace on wheels used to be on metre gauge (track width is one metre). The new Palace on Wheels is a broad gauge train (track-width over 5 ft). Broad gauge trains are wider, faster nad more comfortable. Heritage on wheels is on metre gauge. Palace on wheels has private bathrooms attached to your cabin. I am not sure if heritage has any showers but toilets are shared. Palace on wheels departs from Delhi, while the Heritage departs from Jaipur.
I think for some one who has not been on Palace on Wheels heritage would be a good expereicne. But it would be a let down for someone who has been on Palce on Wheels.
If you plan on visiting Mumbai, I recommend the Deccan Odyssey.
The deccan Odyssey
I think for some one who has not been on Palace on Wheels heritage would be a good expereicne. But it would be a let down for someone who has been on Palce on Wheels.
If you plan on visiting Mumbai, I recommend the Deccan Odyssey.
The deccan Odyssey
Last edited by Yaatri; Jul 15, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Jul 15, 2006 | 5:05 pm
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
Originally Posted by etch5895
I have a travel experience with India and I haven't even been there yet...
OK, I booked a cabin for travel on the Palace on Wheels train for the one week trip through Rajastan in December. I paid the 25% deposit up front in May and settled down to wait.
The agent (India Travel Holiday) emails me a few days ago and tells me that the Indian Tourist board has cancelled my reservation due to a large tour group coming in at that time. They offered to either change my dates or book a different tour during that time.
Has this happened to anyone, or do I even have a case? I don't know who I would report it too, anyway.
OK, I booked a cabin for travel on the Palace on Wheels train for the one week trip through Rajastan in December. I paid the 25% deposit up front in May and settled down to wait.
The agent (India Travel Holiday) emails me a few days ago and tells me that the Indian Tourist board has cancelled my reservation due to a large tour group coming in at that time. They offered to either change my dates or book a different tour during that time.
Has this happened to anyone, or do I even have a case? I don't know who I would report it too, anyway.
I suspect your agent is playing games with you. He took you booking and got a larger group. He is driven by greed. He is probably eating the cancellation penalty but making a lot more from the group. I suggest you contact the Palace on wheels directly. Be firm and polite. Tell them you have been wronged and that you will not hesitate to spread the word of how you have been screwed.
Palace on Wheels