Updated Review:
It seems that my cashback was processed from their end on 10th April 2009(technically within 21 days) before my posting this review. The cashback of Rs. 4800 is now reflecting in my credit card account. Therefore, I would like to change this review to a more positive one as Ezeego1 has done their job as per the terms and conditions applicable to me. So here goes:
Ezeego1 is one travel site that usually has attractive flight offers going on throughout the year. I remember their flagship 50% Cashback offer on ICICI Bank Credit Cards which was running a year ago. Sigh. Those were the days!
I recently booked two Spicejet flights under their 75% Cashback offer. A very important point to note here is that during this same period, competing sites like Cleartrip, Yatra & Makemytrip were providing only a 50% cashback on the same Spicejet flights whereas Ezeego1 was the only one offering a flat 75% Cashback on the TOTAL BASIC FARE. This is probably the only site I have come across that has some or the other cashback offer running throughout the year.
Let me now talk about their site layout - Nice, clean and easy on the eye. They used to have a problem with Firefox browser earlier(some elements of the site did not work) but now that seems to be resolved. However, it looks best in Internet Explorer 6.0 and above. The booking process is easy - enter your "from" and "to" details along with the travel dates and instantly all options are presented to you in an ascending order in terms of Total Fare. Booking a ticket seemed pretty much easy. They also support MasterCard SecureCode/Verified by Visa for added security during transaction.
The only problem is with their "Contact Us" section. It is literally begging for a facelift! The contact form is not very intuitive either - font size is too small+ submission confirmation is easily missed. They should probably redesign the whole "Contact Us" page.
The only other part which I think they need to work on is their Complaints Cell which sometimes does not respond to e-mails. I think they need to upgrade their Customer Care Services just a little bit in terms of number of people & infrastructure. Only Ms. Pallavi & Ms. Namrata seem to be responsive and professional. Ms. Pallavi even sent me the screenshot of the cashback process that they followed on their side. It clearly mentioned a successful refund transaction of Rs. 4800 done on 10th April 2009 at 4.10 PM.
I have changed the Product Recommendation from "No" to "Yes" and also increased their ratings to levels that Ezeego1 actually deserves. I must say that I will be using Ezeego1 again in future. My old review is not valid anymore but I have still put it here so that the entire review is easy to follow.
Old Review(Not Valid Anymore):
Now, coming to my RECENT experience. I had to go to Kolkata for my MBA interview this month. Ezeego1 was providing a 75% Cashback offer on Spicejet Tickets booked between 1st March 2009 and 31st March 2009, for all travel completed before 15th April 2009. Just what I needed! Booked my 8th April 2009 departure & 10th April 2009 return tickets from them for the Bangalore-Kolkata & return sectors.
Details:
Booking Date: 21st March 2009
Reference Number: EZR-2009-170898/A
Departure Details:
Return Details:
After booking the above tickets(after reading all the T&C of course), I sent an immediate reminder about cashback to them using their contact form to which Ms. Namrata Kamtekar responded within 24 hours assuring me that my cashback would be credited to my account within 21 Days. She also sent me a copy of the terms and conditions applicable to this offer. Here they are(Only points 3 & 14 to limit to 7500 characters)
The Cash Back is calculated on the Basic Fare only.
Ezeego1 reserves the right to change/make amends or withdraw the Offer, any time at the sole discretion of the Management. The Terms and Conditions of this promotion are subject to change without any prior notice.
Please note point number 3. It was this point that made me book with them ultimately. However, I checked with their website within 24 hours after I had booked and point number 3 changed to: The Cash Back is calculated on the Basic Fare only. The Cash Back amount paid will be a maximum of 75% of the basic fare or Rs. 750/- per sector, whichever is lower.(Yes, I had read point number 14 too, but still, I really don’t think that they can change the T&C of my booking just after I made it! It should be applicable to all new bookings.) Note: I had received this email AFTER I had checked with their website about the new T&C.
I really don’t know how to react. I was hoping for a cashback of Rs. 4800(75% of 6400 total BASIC fare), but now, according to this, I am supposed to get only Rs. 1500. Also, more than 21 days have passed and still the cashback has not been credited to me. I am beginning to feel cheated - the T&C were changed after I had made the booking and I’m pretty sure that IF I receive my cashback, I’ll probably get only 1500 instead of 4800 which I am supposed to get. This certainly was NOT what I was expecting. My credit card bill due date is nearing and I probably will have to make full payment if my cashback is not credited. I sent a reminder again 2 days ago to complaints@ezeego1.com for my cashback and this time their was no response from their end.
I have booked tickets with them earlier and had a good experience. The cashbacks were prompt. I used to recommend this site to my friends and family earlier but now I’m setting a "No" in the Product Recommendation part.