Travel company rules suspected of infringing on consumer rights

The Jiangsu Province Consumer Council has requested meetings with 8 airlines and 7 online ticket platforms to discuss their ticketing policies, reports Xinhua News Agency.

The consumer council sent letters on Friday to some of China's domestic airlines and online travel agencies, including market leaders like Air China and Ctrip. The letters ask the companies to meet with the consumer council within the following 10 working days.

[Screenshot: CCTV]

The companies are suspected of infringing on the rights of consumers by over-charging for ticket refunds, refusing to reschedule discounted tickets, and not informing customers about the rules regarding ticket changes, according to the report.

A recent survey conducted by the consumer council sparked off heated debate online after the results showed that 23.5 percent of the 1,250 respondents had been charged a refund fee higher than the original ticket price. 

And 22.7 percent reported that they had been charged higher fees for refunds from online ticket platforms compared to the official websites of the airlines.