Webjet ordered to pay $9 million over ‘false or misleading’ airfare ads
The Australians, who are taken by Rock sub -flight ticket prices only to be affected by additional fees, may get some comfort after ordering WebJet to pay a major penalty for “misleading” ads.
On Monday, the Federal Court ordered the online travel agency WebJet to pay $ 9 million to make $ 9 million to make “False or misleading expressions about the price and reservation approvals of flights.
Between 2018 and 2023, Webjet admitted that he made false or misleading expressions in promotional E -mails and social media broadcasts when he introduced flight tickets excluding compulsory fees.
Webjet also admitted that between 2019-2024, it provided false or misleading reservation approvals to 118 consumers for unapproved flight reservations.
Webjet then requested additional payment up to $ 2120 for consumers to complete the reservation.
Webjet has now returned these consumers.
The Australian Competition and the Consumer Commission started an investigation after complaining about a plane ticket advertising from a consumer $ 18, which cost almost three times the price of this price after adding the compulsory fees of Webjet.
ACCC President Gina Cass-Gottlieb said, ik We have received this case because we thought that Webjet used misleading pricing by adequately explaining or explaining the compulsory fees in advertisements, ”he said.
“Trying to attract customers at prices that do not tell the whole story is a serious violation of the Australian consumer law.”
WebJet fees included the “WebJet Service Fee” and “Reservation Price Guarantee” fee ranging from $ 34,90 to $ 54.90 per reservation depending on New Zealand and Pacific or other international places depending on whether the flights were domestic.
Although Webjet’s website contains information about the website, application and most E -mail additional fees, some users had to shift to subtle pressure close to the bottom to see them. Webjet never announced the additional fees in social media publications.
In a statement from February, when the ACCC agreement was initially approved, it is important to state that Webjet was implemented voluntarily and proactive in webjet Marketing’s wage statements since the issues of ACCC in November 2023 ”.
“Webjet Group is sure that any customer is sure of his concerns about offers, disclosures, service or pricing,” he said.
“[Webjet] He has always been proud of the high level of confidence in all customers and stakeholders and cooperated with the ACCC to solve this issue and interacted in a positive way. “
In the relevant period from the end of 2018 to the end of 2018, ACCC found that webjet fees represented 36 percent of the total income of the company.
When Webjet and Accc agreed to decide the conditions of Webjet, the issue was solved outside the court:
“Pay a total penalty of a total penalty of 9 million dollars; Publish a corrective notification in a form agreed with ACCC for a 60 -day period, review an Australian consumer law compliance program in an agreed manner;
