eDreams = Pathetic Service

If you have a look at the Air Travel Forum on Tripadvisor you will see how many thousands of complaints there are about eDreams and many other online travel agents. You ghouls check whether you have got the "free" trial of eDreams Prime as well. If you have you need to cancel it before the trial ends and they charge you for a year's membership.

So very sorry you were caught by these scammers. It is , unfortunately, a very familiar story with this company. It is kind of you to try to warn others.

I also think this is another example of why folks need to avoid all third party booking sites.
So sorry this happened.

Welcome to the Rick Steves forum. I also am sorry you got caught by this shonky online travel agency. And yes, Trip Advisor, particularly the Air Travel forum, is littered with the same complaints as yours.

BTW, the airlines can't/don't help for any bookings done with a 3rd party, even the 3rd party companies that are fairly good to work with. Research before booking is critical to understand how the airlines work.

When is a deal not a deal? When it's with a company that is going to take your money and run.

A perfect example of why one should book directly through the airline rather than ANY third party site.

I don't think the OP will be back to respond. But, I've always wondered how is it that people find their way to these companies, then throw good hard earned money at a company that obfuscates, and then pay high fees to the company to do things easily accomplished on your own?

Why do so many fail to look after their money and be their own advocates?

I wish we knew the answer to.previous question. Is it perhaps thought to be easier to "one stop shopping " where one signs up to have a third party do all the work for you instead of doing at least a little but of research on you own?? Also it is definitely not fair to give a poor review of the airlines for not providing help out of this situation. Can only imagine what a nightmare that would be for them and for a customer trying to get thru to them. Am sorry this happened but is a good reminder to others "buyer beware".

I think the reason so many people fall for using these online agencies is simply price. People go online to look for an airfare or use one of the many price comparison sites like Skyscanner and see the cheapest fares offered by an agency. Usually these are not live fares like they would be on an airline site. If they follow through they are likely to get contact saying all fares at the advertised price have gone but here's a new higher price. plenty will still carry on at that point. And then, as I pointed out, eDreams and others will have two fares for the flight, the lower one if the person signs up to "Free" Prime membership. So many then accept flights and forget to cancel the free offer and find a deduction from their bank account for membership a month or two later. It's not a scam as eDreams clearly outlines the option but so many are just blinded by getting what they think is a cheap price.

I think many (most?) individuals who don't fly very often don't know the airlines won't work to resolve issues with tickets purchased from sources other than the airline. In the 70s airlines were working hard to keep travel agents happy. Not anymore. But a lot of people don't know that. Perhaps it needs to be publicized more.

I think the reason so many people fall for using these online agencies is simply price.

Yes of course, this always starts with price - We all shop for price. But these issues aren't about price, they come from a lack of due diligence and surrendering one's own responsibility for themselves. Yeah, see the price and then dive right in, without looking and an understanding of what's being purchased or who has what responsibility.

But a lot of people don't know that. Perhaps it needs to be publicized more.

Publicized how? The information is out there and easily swept up by anyone that looks. Maybe I'm a broken record and have unreasonable expectations, but I would expect that someone spending money they don't really have or spending on credit would actually do the work.