>I SUGGEST that everyone check the fuel tax stated on an e-ticket with that quoted by travel agencies. In a bad experience with one well-known travel agency, I discovered it had overstated the fuel tax.
Oil prices have fallen lately, yet my husband and I were asked to pay an additional $55 each on our recent trip. We took up this issue with the travel agency, and were told the extra payment would be refunded to us.
Thankfully, my husband has the habit of keeping records from our previous trips. These show that the same agency overstated the fuel tax by $2 each on our trip to Taiwan, and $14 each on our trip to Harbin, China.
The travel agency seems to have grown bolder this time, overstating the fuel tax by $55 each.
We have received no refund for the previous two trips, and cannot be sure we will receive one for our recent one.
However, the issue here is not whether refunds will be made, but whether travel agencies will continue to overstate the fuel tax and make a profit from those who do not know better, especially the elderly.
Many elderly folk do not understand English and will not comprehend the terms and conditions imposed by the travel agency. Thus they have to rely on the travel agency's reputation and trust that they will not be cheated.
By overstating the fuel tax for profit, the travel agency is exploiting our trust in it, and I find this unacceptable and unethical.
Also, does this mean refunds will be made only if we complain?
Tan Lay Kuan (Ms)
This forum letter was first published in The Straits Times on Dec 20, 2008.
For more The Straits Times stories, click here.
| 
