A story about flying from Dominican Republic to Colombia despite all the efforts of airlines to prevent me from doing it.
It all started in Punta Cana airport, to which we arrived a few hours early. We had some time to chill on the grass before heading to the registration.
If I only knew what expects me there I wouldn't be wasting my time like this.
One does not simply board a plane, right? Every time I have to deal with international flights I expect trouble and turn out to be correct way too often.
However, things got especially bad this time.
The issues started immediately, on the registration. Wingo airlines employees couldn't find my booking.
It turned out, when I booked a ticket online, the fare transaction failed even as booking was made. Their website showed me the confirmation, I got my ticket on email and all that. I usually check such things as you can never trust internet connection, especially in 3rd world countries. But this time I couldn't because my bank app just updated and was having glitches, not showing the transaction history.
So later they canceled my booking and I had no idea.
They simply sent me an unnoticeable email which got lost among tons of thrash that inevitably plague every active email inbox.
But of course everything became clear in the airport.
Arguing with airline personnel and hotline support proved to be useless, nobody gives a shit about you when you get fucked over by an airline.
And they wouldn't let me buy a new ticket then as it was "too late".
From airport personnel I learned that it's usual situation for Wingo, happens on a regular basis.
AVOID this shitty airline at all costs, if you know what's good for you.
Later Florian, who successfully boarded the plane, added insult to the injury, reporting that the plane was half-emply.
And so, I lost my flight. But there was still a chance to fly with a different airline from the other terminal.
Even though I would need to pay twice as much and deal with another airline, Avianca.
Which proved to be even worse than Wingo, so AVOID this one as well.
They told me I have to have a return ticket from Colombia in order to board their plane (!).
Usually, you would be asked for return tickets by migration police and airline wouldn't care a bit. Somehow it was the other way around this time.
There were no warnings on the internet, so if you book a one-way ticket with this airline you won't be allowed to board a plane.
And I bet nobody would refund your losses, not to mention broken plans and a ruined trip.
While I was arguing with their incompetent employees who couldn't even speak English, then making a semi-legit booking out of Colombia, it was already too late.
Protip: when you have no intention to buy a return ticket, but someone demands it, you can make a temporary booking for ~5$ on euroavia.ru (it's in russian).
They will make a temporary booking, that appears on global databases and should be sufficient for any check.
That is important when you get asked by airline, 'cause these guys WILL check the legitimacy of your booking. Unlike many migration offices and embassies, who never actually validated "tickets" that I shown them.
Anyways. At that point I just wanted to leave the damned island by any means. So I took care about the "return ticket" and bought a ticket for tomorrow. Twice as expensive.
That night I slept in the airport. The only upside there was a free WiFi. However, this was not over yet...
If you liked this post, consider giving it an upvote or resteem. Follow me for more cool stuff and stay loco!
Check out my travel blog as well!
Previous posts:
Ancient, dusty Meybod city and 2000 years old Narin Castle, Central Iran
Japanese aesthetics in Dominican Republic
Architectural Photography: Ornate Bazaar ceiling in Kashan, Iran
Сityscape Photography: Rooftops of Persia
Haiti: Poverty, gangsters and UN party