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Find a Location

Smartfares has 3 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Country
    Please enter a valid location.
    • Smartfares

      4545 Murphy Canyon Rd Ste 210 San Diego, CA 92123-4363

      BBB Accredited Business
    • Smartfares

      Arlington, VA 22201

    • Smartfares

      PO Box 13 Vernon Hill, VA 24597-0013

    Business ProfileforSmartfares

    Travel Agency
    Multi Location Business
    BBB accredited business

    Current Alerts For This Business

    Pattern of Complaint:
    BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints. Specifically, consumers allege in their complaints to BBB that the business is not honoring the “free 24 hour cancellation policy”. In addition, the consumers also allege that there's a lack of attention addressing consumer concerns, business representatives are denying refunds however, refunds are ultimately being dispersed after a complaint is submitted. Consumers also report that their calls are disconnected after asking for a refund. Lastly, consumers allege business is not providing a breakdown of costs and deducting “processing” fees from consumer refunds. On January 17th, 2023, BBB submitted a written request to the business encouraging them to address the pattern of complaints.

    On February 16th, 2023, the business responded to BBB's letter outlining the pattern of complaints with their plans to eliminate the pattern by updating all banners to clearly state cancellations within 24 hours will have a fee, and updating all verbiage on website to state tickets are non refundable. In addition, the business also initiated a new training course for agents, and established an escalations desk to promptly provide resolutions. BBB continues to closely monitor the complaints concerning this business and their effort to improve and reduce future customer complaints.

    At-a-glance

    Customer Reviews

    1.37/5stars

    Average of 260 Customer Reviews

    Customer Complaints

    776 complaints closed in last 3 years

    83 complaints closed in last 12 months

    BBB Rating & Accreditation

    Accredited Since: 9/6/2011

    Years in Business: 13

    Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating

    Reasons for BBB Rating

    Related Categories

    Overview

    This business offers domestic and global online-travel reservation services for airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals and cruises. 

    Business Details

    This is a multi-location business.

    Find a Location

    Smartfares has 3 locations, listed below.

    *This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

      Country
      Please enter a valid location.
      • Smartfares

        4545 Murphy Canyon Rd Ste 210 San Diego, CA 92123-4363

        BBB Accredited Business
      • Smartfares

        Arlington, VA 22201

      • Smartfares

        PO Box 13 Vernon Hill, VA 24597-0013

      Location of This Business
      4545 Murphy Canyon Rd Ste 210, San Diego, CA 92123-4363
      BBB File Opened:
      7/18/2011
      Years in Business:
      13
      Business Started:
      10/28/2010
      Business Incorporated:
      10/28/2010
      Accredited Since:
      9/6/2011
      Licensing Information:
      This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.
      Type of Entity:
      Corporation
      Alternate Business Name
      • Cheap Flights Now
      • LBF Travel Inc
      • Booking Bargains
      • CheapFaresNow
      • Traveler Help Desk
      • Travelation
      • Traveler Help Desk
      • HotelWiz
      • Smart Fares
      • Low Cost Airlines
      Business Management
      • Mr. Michael Thomas, CEO
      • Mr. Bobb Hinkle, Corporate Controller
      • Ms. Linda Taylor, Operations Manager
      Contact Information

      Principal

      • Mr. Michael Thomas, CEO

      Customer Contact

      • Ms. Linda Taylor, Operations Manager
      Additional Contact Information

      Fax Numbers

      • (858) 408-3061
        Primary Fax
      • (858) 429-7676
        Other Fax

      Phone Numbers

      Email Addresses

      Industry Tip

      BBB Tip: Need help planning a trip? How to find a good travel agent

      Customer Complaints

      779 Customer Complaints

      Need to file a complaint? BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews

      File a Complaint

      Most Recent Customer Complaint

      03/22/2024

      Complaint Type:
      Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      My reservation was canceled on April 3rd, 2023 and a refund of $250.55 was confirmed as cancelation was made on time. However during numerous communications and promises it has not been proceeded for almost 12 months. I have attached the last email from SmartFares of November 25, 2023, with the contact name/representative delivering promises on it and trip reference number, and since then no refund. I have tried to contact them two more times after and being ignored. This trip was connected to other flights that were canceled as well, while I have received all other refunds after a month from other sellers. This seller is very dishonest.
      Read More

      Customer Reviews

      260 Customer Reviews

      What do you think? Share your review.

      How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews

      Start a Review

      Most Recent Customer Review

      Be C

      1 star

      03/22/2024

      I will never use SmartFares again. I don't care what savings they offer.The online booking process was as straight forward as any other site, but the costumer service was awful. I had made a typo in the reservation and called to change it (within 1.5 hours of making the booking) and was told there would be a $90 to correct the typo, was kept on hold for a long time and then was laughed at when I asked about the astronomical fee being able to be waived since I was within 24 hours of booking and could just cancel the tickets without a charge. I was lied to, the agent tried to convince me that I'd have to pay a fee to cancel and wouldn't get all of my money back - not true when it's within 24 hours. Additionally, the agent told me the $90 fee was set by the airline. The agent also told me they would call me back later that day to follow up and help me when I got so frustrated I said I'd call back later if I wanted to make the change. The agent waited until the 24 hours had passed and then finally called me, texted me, and emailed me to see if they could help me make the change to my reservation - conveniently after I could no longer cancel the reservation without penalty. Crazy thing, I called the airline directly and they were able to fix the typo immediately without any fee at all because I had made the booking within the past 24 hours.I'm appalled by the poor service and trying to implement false fees and false threats. What a scam.

      Local BBB

      Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest

      BBB Reports On

      BBB reports on known marketplace practices.

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