Royally Upset

[mllebamako]

I just had a panic attack.

I am the most diligent plane ticket buyer. For me, it's a large purchase and I always double and triple check baggage rules, read dozens of reviews of the airline, etc. But last night when I bought my ticket to fly back to Mali....I missed one thing. One stupid thing. And now I am really upset. Upset at myself, at the airline, at everything.

I am supposed to transfer flights in Libya. Libya is one of those special countries that denies entry to anyone with an Israeli stamp in their passport. I have an Israeli stamp but I just never could have imagined it would matter for airport transfer. I mean, I won't even leave the effing airport!!

So after frantically calling the airline and the Libyan embassy...I now have to cancel my flight and buy another. This could result in up to $215 dollars in change fees. Not to mention that I have to now buy a new ticket with a more expensive airline that doesn't fly though there.

I am freaking out. I cannot afford this. It is not okay that they did not clearly state this on their website.

Sorry...just a rant. Not really much advice could do in this situation.
I am just so angry that this joyful time is soured with something I cannot afford.

[Dziubka]

I'm so sorry to hear that

Is there nothing you can do? What about getting a new passport?

[OliveOyl]

if you are sitting in the airport internationally, they dont check your passport....I know at least in Latin America, I've been to "el salvador" but since I didnt leave the aiport (i was connecting to Peru) nobody checked my passport...especially since all the international flights are usually in one terminal.

[OliveOyl]

i dont know abut EU stuff, but yea, can't you "lose" your passport and get another? Im not sure if that would be cheaper than buying a new plane ticket. I really hope, either way, everything works out!!

[Silviar]

Oh hun, i'm so sorry. D: This is one of those crazy things where being a world traveler doesn't matter... and yet it does. :/ PM me if you want someone to talk to, ok?

[Èternity]

I'm so sorry, how the little things can just mess up your world.

[mllebamako]

if you are sitting in the airport internationally, they dont check your passport....I know at least in Latin America, I've been to "el salvador" but since I didnt leave the aiport (i was connecting to Peru) nobody checked my passport...especially since all the international flights are usually in one terminal.

For Libya, because they are so strict on this rule, they check it before you even leave the EU.

As for a new passport...it's 110 dollars so depending on the cancellation fee it could be cheaper. But I am getting quoted different cancellation fees from different reservation agents so I've got to figure that out. The lowest quote to cancel I got was $75 so that would be better. I just have to wait and find out which one it is.

[Silviar]

If it's so important that they check before you leave the EU, then why isn't there a big ole warning before you purchase the ticket? Ridiculous and unacceptable on their part.

[OliveOyl]

oooh pooey!

[Rach321]

It's ridiculous they would charge you any kind of change fee since there wasn't any warning. Keep fighting! I hope you find a sympathetic worker to talk to who will waive the fee...

[mllebamako]

Oh trust me...I'll fight! But who knows....customer service just isn't the same in Africa

[paulawriteslove]

I am so sorry this happened to you! *hugs*

[lucybelle]

Aww bummer!!! It's definitely hard to deal with not up-to-date websites or countries in general!! I got screwed over pretty hard once that ended up with me getting deported. Yeah it was my fault, but why didn't someone stop me earlier??!! Such an easy fix!

Good luck, I hope you find a cheap way out!

[Karringtyn]

I really hope it works out for you in YOUR favor. This bites.

((((HUGS))))

[BoogleBee]

Really hope you can get it sorted without too much of an expense