a relentless quest to expose the
cheapest flights
in, to and from South Africa
a relentless quest to expose the
cheapest flights
in, to and from South Africa
Mango flight special [note that this relates to a special in Nov & Dec 2007. See Mango flight special for their latest specials. Always check prices at www.southafrica.to/bookings.php5]
Mango announced today that it will make 5 000 flights available for travel on selected flights during November and December 2007 at the same price as its 2006 launch fare of R 169 all inclusive on all routes (all flights had to be purchased as part of a return journey) . The Mango offer will be available from 8am on Wednesday 14 November 2007 through 5pm on Friday 17 November 2007 through the airline’s web site http://www.flymango.com or its call centres on 08611 MANGO and are sold as part of a return journey booked on Mango.
Like previous Mango advertising, it seems there are some issues with this special. Please note readers' comments below - it seems that it is very difficult to actually source this R169 special (we carried out a check at 1400 on the 14th Nov 2007 on flights from Cape Town to Johannesburg, and there were no R169 flights left in December but plenty left in November).
Carina Fritz left on following commentary on Mango's group on Facebook:
"In light of the Mango group that I joined a couple of weeks ago on my Sister in Law's recommendation, I am not only disappointed in this airline, but also livid at their recent "Birthday Special" that they are advertising not only via Facebook but also on the internet via their website.
I am sure that there are a few of you who tried to jump at this opportunity as the festive season is around the corner and opportunities like these are not always frequently on offer, so "you snooze, you loose" right?.
I am fortunate to have travelled quite a bit in my life for both business and pleasure, and when the "Mango fever" broke out last year, I was also on the bandwagon to try and get tickets for one of their flights. I was pleasantly surprised and honestly can testify that I stepped off of their plane a satisfied customer. However, in light of your recent Marketing gimmick (Mango Birthday Special) I can honestly say that I am not only disappointed but completely angered how you managed to attract so much attention only to disappoint!
When I received your notification yesterday via the FB group, I phoned immediately. First response by your Mango consultant, "I am not even sure if this promotion is available for the CPT destination yet". I was advised to phone later that day (in which I phone several times yesterday, my last phone call being yesterday afternoon). Same reply by the consultant, "Sorry Mam, the flights schedules have not been loaded on the system yet, we are awaiting response to hear if this promotion is valid for the CPT destination. I was advised to phone early today (15-11-2007). Can I just mention that Mango's promotion is still being advertised as the following since yesterday, even with the flights not being made available:
"Happy 1st Birthday Mango!"
"Terms and conditions:"
Get the R169 as part of a return on all Mango routes
Subject to availability
Normal terms and conditions apply
Booking Period, 14 November - 16 November (08:00am - 20:00pm)
Travel Period: 14 November 2007 - 31 December 2007
No Refunds permittedwas and still is being advertised
Did you note the Travel and booking period? Needles to say that this morning when I phoned again, I was told by the consultant that the seats are sold out. I am not sure, but from what I can gather something spectacular must have happened between 16h30pm yesterday and this morning 09h00am for 5000 seats to be completely sold out, yet Mango is still advertising this on their website.
I am hugely disappointed as this is once again an example of the wonderful service delivery one can expect in this country and how companies use false marketing to attract people to their product or service.
I will out of principle never support your airline again. I'd rather fly a broomstick or pay more and get the service I am entitled to as a customer than set foot on one of your planes.
Please in future if you are going to advertise such promotions ensure your consultants are properly informed or at least “sing the same tune” in order to deliver the product and/or service that you are promoting so profusely.
I might just be a drop in the ocean compared to the number of enquiries that your airline receive daily however, this recent experience just proofed that by the rate you are going (and possibly the false perception you have created amongst customers like myself) you are busy digging your own grave and in time might just end up with a bruised reputation.
Regards,
Carina
P.S By the time this was posted your Birthday special was still not amended even though your seats are sold out. I'd advise you to amend it before you cause your airlines reputation even more damage."
Name |
Comment |
|---|---|
asanda | hai i need a special flight for price of R500 from cape town to juburg on 27 november 2009 |
Shireen | 2 adult seats required for 16 - 19 December 2009 anytime Johannesburg to cape Town and back. Please if the specials are avaialbe. |
Gene Redman | Hi , Am I still in time for your cheap flights from PE to Cape Town PLease. Departing PE on the 20th November after 2pm and flying back to PE...departing from Cpe Town on the 22 as late as possible Sunday evening..thanking you Gene Redman |
Tanusha | Please could you advise whether there is a seat avialable on the 14 November 2009 at any time |
carla | the 14th of november is on a saturday and not a wednesday. so is it the dates or the days that are incorrect? the 14th of november is on a saturday. need tickets from the 12th of nevember and returning on the 15th... is there any happy hour specials before that? |
Gracio | I am 7yrs old and need 4 169 tickets myself and fam which becomes available on the 14/11/09.sure hope it is for real. |
Josue | I need a special return flight from Capetown to Johannesbourg:- CPT to J'burg on the 29 november 2009 and J'burg to CPT on the 5th February 2010 (time flexibility accepted) |
Icy Narsiah | I need special flights to JHB on the 6th Nov returning to Durban on the 8th Nov (time flexibility) 3 adults and a 9yr old |
leanna le roux | why do i need this??? |
nwabisa | well i want to book a flight for the 6 november. is there seats left? |
Siyabonga | Hi I need a special flight price of R500,000 From Cape Town to Durban on the 20th November (time flexibility). |
sibusiso masondo | I like your special of R169, but i just want know the normal price from OR. TAMBO johannesburg to durban during december. |
refilwe | i like your specials so much. what is the price from johannesburg to durban currently and when is the special and the price from johannesburg to durban |
mmuki | stop f*cking around with us and get your heads right on your prices and stop squashing us for that price you can do better . |
mara | why do the dates and destination always get mixed up? and the passenger is always blamed making the mistake? and who has to pay MORE? |
Mango flyer | It's unfortuanate. Mango airlines do a lot of good by keeping prices down, but end up undoing a lot of it by advertising and dissapointing. |
johann | they must rather go and farm with mangoes |
ARTHUR | NOT SO WELL DONE,IT'S LIKE AN INDIAN SHOPKEEPER.THE LAST TIME YOU WILL SEE R169.00 IS AN THE AD !FROM R169.00 MEANS: MAYBE ONE TICKET OUT OF 5000 WILL BE R169.00 THEN IT'S BACK TO NORMAL PRICES AGAIN ! WELL GOOD MARKETING I MUST ADMIT... |
ARTHUR MC DERMOTT | CANT BE ! ITS CHEAPER THAN MY TOLL GATE COST FROM PIETERSBURG TO PRETORIA & BACK ! WELL DONE ! |
Jade | Why does mango always advertise cheap prices but when you go online to book it, the prices are never available, its always the normal prices. |
Chris | The R169 offer is not available on Mango's website when you try to book the flight. They give you the normal prices. |
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