In today’s fast-paced world, more and more people are turning to online travel agencies to book their dream vacations. Knowing which companies are trustworthy and which ones to avoid can be challenging with so many options available. One such company that has been gaining attention recently is Crystal Travel.
But is Crystal Travel legit? In this article, we’ll examine the company in-depth and explore what customers say about their experiences.
Crystal Travel is an online travel agency based in the United Kingdom that offers a wide range of travel services, including flights, hotels, vacation packages, and more. The company was founded in 2014 and claims to offer competitive prices and excellent customer service, but do they live up to their promises?
Crystal Travel, a well-established travel organization based in the heart of London, has been providing top-notch travel services since its inception in 1986. As a part of the Moresand Group, Crystal Travel has built a strong reputation for offering flights, car rentals, hotel bookings, holiday packages, travel insurance, and last-minute travel deals.
Crystal Travel is registered in England and Wales under the number 2114691. The company holds both IATA and ATOL (3517) certifications, which the Civil Aviation Authority issues. This certification provides ATOL protection for travel packages, including flights and other itineraries, giving customers peace of mind when booking travel arrangements. Furthermore, Crystal Travel is a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).
Membership in ABTA ensures that the company adheres to strict standards and provides financial protection for its customers. This affiliation demonstrates Crystal Travel’s commitment to maintaining high service standards and protecting its clients’ interests.
Crystal Travel’s services can be availed online, through telephone conversations, and from their retail outlets in Central and East London. This multi-channel approach ensures that customers can access their services in a manner that suits their preferences and needs.
The Moresand Group, of which Crystal Travel is a part, has received significant recognition for its success and growth. In December 2014, the group was granted the ultimate accolade from INVESTEC, ranked in the “Investec Mid-Market 100 list of fastest-growing UK companies”. This recognition highlights the company’s strong performance and position as a travel industry leader.
Moreover, the London Stock Exchange has listed the Moresand Group among the “1000 most inspiring small and medium-sized companies. This acknowledgment further enhances Crystal Travel’s reputation as a trusted and reliable travel company in the UK.
An in-depth analysis of customer reviews across multiple platforms paints a troubling picture of Crystal Travel, a UK-based online travel agency. Despite being a registered company, the overwhelming majority of reviews suggest that Crystal Travel fails to deliver on its promises, leaving many customers frustrated, out of pocket, and with ruined travel plans.
On Sitejabber, Crystal Travel has a dismal rating of 2.0 stars out of 5, based on 68 reviews. This low score indicates widespread customer dissatisfaction with their purchases. The most common complaints revolve around:
Many reviewers report booking flights through Crystal Travel, discovering that their tickets were never issued or that prices had increased after the initial booking. Attempts to resolve these issues with customer service often prove futile, with customers citing unresponsive or unhelpful representatives.
The Better Business Bureau website further reinforces the negative sentiment surrounding Crystal Travel. The company has a 1-star rating based on 61 customer reviews. Recurring issues mentioned in these reviews include:
Customers frequently report paying for flights that are never ticketed, leaving them stranded or forced to book last-minute alternatives at a higher cost. Crystal Travel’s lack of communication and unresponsiveness to these issues are common themes throughout the reviews.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website provides a platform for customers to share their experiences with businesses, and the reviews for Crystal Travel LLC are overwhelmingly negative. With an average rating of 1.43 out of 5 stars based on 61 customer reviews, it’s clear that many customers have had unsatisfactory experiences with this online travel agency.
Crystal Travel LLC has responded to some of the negative reviews on the BBB website, often thanking customers for sharing their experiences and claiming that their travel experts “work diligently towards providing the best services”. However, many customers remain unsatisfied with the company’s responses and feel that their issues have not been adequately addressed.
Reddit users have also shared their negative experiences with Crystal Travel, urging others to avoid booking through the company. One particularly alarming case involved a user who booked a flight that was later cancelled by the airline.
Crystal Travel should have informed the customer of the cancellation and provided a refund for several months despite repeated attempts to contact the company.
While Crystal Travel boasts a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot, a closer examination of the reviews raises questions about their authenticity. Many of the positive reviews are short, vague, and lack detail. In contrast, negative reviews often provide specific examples of poor service and unresolved issues.
The stark contrast between the Trustpilot rating and the overwhelmingly negative reviews on other platforms suggests that the Trustpilot score may not accurately reflect the company’s true performance.
Despite being a registered company, the overwhelming number of negative customer reviews across multiple platforms raises serious red flags about Crystal Travel’s legitimacy and the quality of its services. The consistent pattern of unbooked flights, price discrepancies, and poor customer service suggests that booking with Crystal Travel carries a significant risk of disappointment and financial loss.
Prospective customers should exercise extreme caution when considering Crystal Travel and thoroughly research the company’s reputation before booking. With so many other reputable travel agencies available, it may be prudent to explore alternative options to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Ultimately, the decision to book with Crystal Travel is up to you. While the company is legitimate and many customers have had positive experiences, it’s always a good idea to do your own research and read reviews before making a decision. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your booking and feel comfortable with the level of customer service and support provided.
If you have any issues with your booking, Crystal Travel’s customer service team is available to assist you. However, some customers have reported mixed experiences with customer service, so it’s important to be proactive and persistent if you do encounter any problems.
Crystal Travel offers a wide range of travel services, including flights, hotels, vacation packages, and more.
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