Prahlad Joshi Orders Scrutiny of Agoda Cancellation Charges

In response to mounting public anger over hidden costs, Minister Prahlad Joshi on Saturday instructed regulators to investigate whether Agoda and rival platforms are pocketing cancellation fees far above the amounts charged by airlines. The directive came after a detailed complaint showed one traveler being asked for ₹4,764 by Agoda while Akasa Air’s own site indicated only ₹299 would be withheld. Joshi stressed that consumers must receive clear information at booking and that any deviation amounts to an unfair practice under existing law. The CCPA has been told to collect data from multiple booking portals and, if warranted, initiate collective legal action. Travel companies now face the possibility of tighter disclosure rules and refund timelines. Experts say the inquiry signals a broader government push to protect passengers in an era when most tickets are purchased online.