Detailed Review of Kiwi.com: Absolutely Ridiculous Business Practices and Total Lack of Consumer Protection
I am beyond frustrated with Kiwi.com's handling of my situation. This company’s complete disregard for U.S. consumer protection laws and its unwillingness to resolve issues promptly or ethically is infuriating. Here is my experience in detail so others can avoid falling into the same trap:
Violation of U.S. Law: 24-Hour Cancellation Rule
Under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, consumers are legally entitled to a full refund if they cancel an airline ticket within 24 hours of purchase, provided the flight is booked more than seven days before departure. Kiwi.com blatantly states in their correspondence that they do not follow this law, even though they sell flights to U.S. consumers. This is a clear violation of federal law and an outright rejection of standard consumer protections.
In my case, I canceled my ticket less than five minutes after booking. This was an honest mistake, and I immediately followed all the proper steps to cancel. Despite this, Kiwi.com issued only a partial refund of $65.31 out of a total charge of over $3,000. This is unacceptable and highly unethical.
Months of Waiting for a Resolution
Kiwi.com's customer service is appalling. Despite multiple follow-ups over several months, I have received no meaningful updates or resolution. Their responses have been nothing but generic, copy-pasted excuses with empty promises to "notify me soon." As of today, I am still waiting for my refund, and the case has not been closed.
Their team repeatedly mentions they are "waiting on airlines," despite this being irrelevant under U.S. law. The responsibility for honoring the 24-hour cancellation policy lies with Kiwi.com as the travel agency. Blaming airlines is nothing more than an attempt to deflect responsibility.
Poor Business Practices
Kiwi.com's refusal to refund my money highlights their disregard for ethical business practices. They:
Do not adhere to U.S. consumer protection laws.
Place the burden on customers to chase refunds, which they are legally entitled to.
Offer only partial refunds for valid cancellations.
Force customers to endure a lengthy and grueling refund process without resolution.
This level of customer service is beyond unacceptable, and their practices feel more like a scam than a legitimate business. I would give this company zero stars if I could.
My Plans Were Ruined
Not only did Kiwi.com fail to honor my refund request, but they also caused undue stress and frustration. I was unable to board any of the flights I had mistakenly booked and canceled. Adding insult to injury, I had to spend additional time and money rectifying this situation, all while waiting for Kiwi.com to return the money they owe me.
Strongly Recommend Avoiding Kiwi.com
If you value your time, money, and sanity, do yourself a favor and avoid Kiwi.com at all costs. There are plenty of other travel booking platforms that:
Follow U.S. consumer protection laws.
Offer better customer service.
Handle cancellations and refunds promptly and fairly.
Legal Action Pending
I have already begun preparations to sue Kiwi.com for the full refund amount of over $3,000, as well as damages for the undue stress and wasted time caused by their non-compliance. I will ensure this situation gets the attention it deserves and serves as a warning to others.
Kiwi.com has been nothing but a nightmare to deal with, and I would not recommend their services to anyone. For a company operating in the travel industry, their failure to comply with basic consumer laws and inability to resolve issues in a timely manner are completely unacceptable.
Use another platform. It’s not worth the hassle.