Dubai: RAK Airways recently offloaded many passengers whose tickets were purchased online against the credit cards of their relatives or friends, passengers said.

The airline has put up a flashing warning sign on its website telling passengers of the new rules of online purchase of tickets.

"Passengers with tickets purchased against others' credit cards will not be accepted for travel but will be denied boarding. A ticket paid through credit card can only be used by the credit card holder himself/herself or when accompanied by the credit card holder who will need to present the original credit card along with his/her photo identity," says the warning.

But many passengers were not aware of this.

Gulf News earlier reported that Kuwaiti budget airline, Jazeera Airways also has a similar new policy.

Aqeel said he had booked a ticket for his brother on RAK Airways using his credit card. When his brother went to Ras Al Khaimah airport from Sharjah, he was not allowed to travel. Aqeel said his brother paid another Dh900 for the ticket.

Many unaware of rule

"My brother said he was not aware of the new rules, but the airline staff said it was implemented a few days ago," Aqeel said.

"I could not go to the airport to tell them that I had booked it. I tried to explain to the lady in charge over the phone that he was unaware of these rules but she refused to listen to them. Many people had to purchase another ticket," he said.

Rashna, who was travelling with her three children to India, was also barred from boarding because the online booking was done on her husband's credit card.

"My husband went to India few days ago and we were following him after the children's school closed," Rashna said. She had to return home and later bought a ticket on another airline, she said. "What make me feel sorry is not paying extra money for new tickets, but that we missed one week from our vacations," she said.

A spokesperson of RAK Airways said such a step was taken for security reasons and to avoid any fraud. There were some problems earlier when some people used credit cards of others without their knowledge, he said. "We cannot contact each and every passenger to inform them. We have put up details on our website," he said.

Jazeera Airways spokesman had said that the new rule is because of fraudulent credit card transactions on some India routes and was introduced earlier this year.

Passengers said when they booked tickets for a family member, pop ups come up on the website not to proceed.

The pop-up window warns: Please do not continue with this online booking if the credit card holder is not travelling. The credit card holder must be a member of the travelling group and produce credit card at check-in for verification."

Have you faced a similar situation? Do you think it is fair that airlines stop you booking tickets for someone else with your card? Do you think the airlines know what they are doing? Write to us at letter to the editor@gulfnews.com


Your comments


This rule is bureaucratic, they simply want to double-charge the customers. There should be an option whereby a copy of the credit card is presented and the passenger is allowed to travel. I am one of those who have suffered the same issue, although a week prior to the flight I sent my credit card copy and photo ID to the head office, even though they refused. Now I am suing the airline.
Wosim
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 07, 2008, 13:43

If RAK Airways wants to curb credit card fraud then they should ensure that people cannot buy tickets on other people's credit cards. What they are doing is that they allow tickets to be purchased and then harass the passengers at the time of boarding. This indicates how primitive RAK Airways operate. They need some wise people at the management level.
Asad
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: June 07, 2008, 13:12