MY WORST TRAVEL BOOKING EXPERIENCE !!! Read on....

I have used several travel sites before expedia, travelocity in US and received great service for air tickets and hotels. Now, I thought that e-commerce is catching up in India too when I came across makemytrip.com....but wait, I had surprises ahead.....

DAY 1 - I make 3 hotels bookings thru MMT in Varkala(1), Kovalam(2) and Kanyakumari(1) - a total of 4 nights(Dec 26-30, 2007). I get e-mails that my hotel booking are CONFIRMED...I book flights on Deccan and Jet Airways (directly). Was looking for a great vacation ahead...(I find that my credit card is charged..all set for vacation, eh ?)

DAY 3 - MMT agent calls up and says I have issues on my Kovalam hotel booking and I need to downgrade from Deluxe AC to a standard room, the other option cancel my boooking completely !!! I protest and he says that he is going to escalate to marketing manager.
(Booking ID: HTL82223 )

DAY 4 - Another MMT agent calls, says my Kanyakumari hotel booking has issues. MMT agent says that the hotel has declined the reservation request. Gives me an option to book another similar hotel. When I saw reviews of this alternative hotel, it was poorly located and ill maintained. I protested that I this is not fair and the credibility of the CONFIRMED bookings!! Agent said that he’ll get back.
(Booking ID: HTL82156 )

Still waiting for MMT for get back !!! Will post further updates....

I am sceptic if i would "actually" get those confirmed bookings. Whats worse is that my other choice hotels are now booked and I have done non -refundable air tickets, leaves approved and other activity plans during the trip etc. I have about 12 days to go for my scheduled trip..and each day I’ll keep wondering if my bookings will be actually honoured by the hotels..or be asked a premium last moment on alternate options ???!! who knows !!!

I am not sure what kind of arrangements MMT has with hotels but this experience brings strong suspicion on the credibility of the sales done thru site.

Lesson learnt...definitely will not purchase here in future and recommend the same to others. Keep off MMT...

Dated - 13/12/2007
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UPDATE: 24/12/2007:
Booking ID: HTL82223  -  MMT has since re-confirmed my original booking.
Booking ID: HTL82156 - MMT has given me a alternative that seems satisfactory, but I’ll get to know the reality when I reach there.

I am not changing this review or rating until I complete the trip

I am off for the trip tomorrow...for now, and am keeping my fingers crossed.

will post further updates when I return.