Webjet Accused of Misleading Pricing and Booking Practices by ACCC

The Australian consumer watchdog has taken Webjet to Federal Court, alleging deceptive advertising and unfulfilled flight bookings over a five-year period.

• The ACCC alleges Webjet failed to disclose mandatory fees of up to $54.90 in its advertised flight prices across its website, app, emails, and social media from 2018 to 2023.
• Hidden fees included a service fee and a booking price guarantee fee, which were reportedly not clearly visible or prominently disclosed to consumers.
• Webjet is also accused of confirming flight bookings and taking payments for 382 flights that were not actually booked with airlines, later requesting additional payments or issuing refunds.
• The ACCC claims these practices misled consumers about the true cost of travel and disrupted travel plans, causing financial and logistical strain.
• Webjet has stated it is cooperating with the ACCC and has already implemented measures to improve transparency in its pricing and fee disclosures.

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9News The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Broadcasting Corporation