Cheating and Fraudulent by Betrayal Makemytrip.com

I had been lured by attractive advertisements from Makemytrip.com in the leading newspapers promising out of the world experience on a holiday tour to United States during the summer vacations. On contacting Makemytrip.com executive, Mr. Anil Kumar promised the same and handed over a printed brochure containing several attractive formats of tours to United States. I was promised of high standards of Service, Hotels, Airlines, Local Travels, Food and Tour guide during the holidays.

I informed him that I have already paid advance to a much more reputed travel company for similar tour for my family of three adults and one child and I had no intention of changing it to your organization. I also told the executive that my query was only for the reason that the advertisement interested me because CEO Mr Deep Kalra had been living next door to my residence of over 8 years and I was curious to know of the offer. On knowing this, the executive persuaded me more vigorously to change my mind. Considering various factors, I got enticed in to the sweet web of communications of the organization and shifted my travel preference to Makemytrip.com. I also had to forgo my advance payment of Rs.78, 000/- made to other company.

Accordingly, I chose the tour option listed as American Extravaganza and paid a total amount of Rs. 7, 26,780/- after reducing the US VISA charges (VISA already available) as per the quotation of one Ms. Priyanka Singh; service coordinator; dealing with me for day to day updating. I had paid the said money on the basis of 3 adults sharing a triple room and a child without bed (my son aged 12 was treated as adult).

I was promised 3 beds in a triple room (alternatively a double bed and an extra bed). The hotels promised were minimum 4 star standards and a due listing (including hotel vouchers) was also given. I was also promised due comfort of good quality food in breakfast and dinner as part of the paid amount. A tour guide of good standard was also promised. Also it was promised that the airlines shall be of minimum standard and shall ensure good standard service including on board meals/drinks.

Trusting several promises made by the company, Mr.Anil Kumar, Ms.Priyanka Singh and the reasons listed above, we boarded our tour on 26th May. To our horror, the unbelievable started to show its colors right at Dubai, the first transit airport. The tour guide, named Aftab Irani, joined. But not alone, his wife, daughter and sister also were with him. He introduced himself and that’s it. It was the end of his attention towards the group. He seemed to be on a family vacation busy with the family members all the time without bothering the customers.

Next day we landed at Washington DC and were transferred to a hotel located in a remote area away from the main city (nearly 8 miles from city). The hotel had no kitchen and room service. The breakfast served was only a few fruits, corn flakes and bread with butter. We were told to rest for the day. During the lunch period, no possibility of having a meal even if it was to be paid by us. The room given to us had only two single beds and not three as were promised and paid for. On inquiring with the tour guide, Mr.Aftab Irani, he showed his helplessness by saying that he had no role in matters relating to the rooms, hotels and the meals.And then began the unending saga of the awful experiences.

Same story city after city. Flight after flight. Day after day. Mr.Aftab Irani, would be perennially busy with his own family without a bother to the group. Will show helplessness for the third bed. The breakfast continued to be same all through the tour excepting cruise. The dinners would be in highly unhygienic Indian restaurants everyday, already overcrowded with several other small group tour operated by smaller companies. No place to sit down. Ordered to finish the dinner in 30 minutes else the tour bus shall not wait. Bad food. Mr.Aftab Irani, busy with own family, unbothered for guests. Poor quality and remotely located hotels and only two single beds. I had to sleep on floor every day. Heated arguments by Mr.Aftab Irani, saying not to disturb him in the matter and he can not help.

Several telephone calls to Priyanka bringing no result; on the fifth night (1st June) when I could find no solution and could not sleep, wrote an email to ms. Priyanka at 11.30 in the night cautioning her to mend the ways and deliver as was promised. I also threatened to proceed legally if the poor show continued. It was also written that she must forward a copy to CEO Mr. Deep Kalra. She did not bother to reply. Mr. Anil telephoned the next day and tried to pacify by saying that he would ensure that the problem of third bed is solved. Nothing changed. Next day onwards, he also stopped lifting his mobile same way as Priyanka.

The misery continued. Through the entire tour, I slept on the floor without bed. The bad quality breakfasts and unhygienic dinners continued. On several occasions we (my family) did not consume either and opted to remain hungry. Mr.Aftab Irani, remained occupied with his own family and would not even bother to listen and rebut by saying no problem to him if we remained hungry or if I slept on the floor.

Airline also delayed several flights. Also no food/drinks were served by it since you had purchased the cheaper versions of the flights. Hotels changed overnight. Mostly were 3 star or below and were always remotely located.

Several days were unnecessarily wasted in waiting at the airport since Mr.Aftab Irani, would take the tour to airport up to 5 hours before the schedule flight departure time.

I feel that I was misled, frauded, cheated, betrayed and criminally conspired into a deliberate act by you, your company, the executives named above and the tour guide. It caused immense mental agony, harassment and inconvenience to me and my family. It also caused a total spoilage of the summer vacation of me and my children besides causing a huge financial loss.

I now demand apologies from the company and the other people involved as named, refund of monies paid with suitable compensation. In case the same is not followed, I shall definitely proceed with criminal charges against one and all involved; under various CrPCs and shall seek suitable remedies as available to me under various laws of the land. I also shall ensure that the public is made aware of the same via national press and other media. I also reserve my rights to forward my nightmarish experience to various govt. authorities that affect the trade.


G.S.Rana. 3rd floor, 2 community centres, East of Kailash, New Delhi-110065.