Based on looking at the website, Flightfaredeals.com appears to be a legitimate online travel agency that aims to provide affordable flight deals to various domestic and international destinations.
They highlight features like 24/7 support, effortless bookings, and a “Best Deal Guarantee.” However, a deeper dive into their claims and typical online travel agency standards reveals some areas that warrant closer examination, particularly concerning transparency and the ease of self-service options.
Overall Review Summary:
- Website Legitimacy: Appears legitimate, based in Maryland, USA.
- Pricing Claims: Claims “Unbeatable Price” and “Cheapest Deal” but lacks direct, real-time comparison tools to verify this easily.
- Transparency: Some crucial information, like clear baggage policies, full terms and conditions for “unpublished deals,” and detailed refund processes, isn’t immediately prominent or self-service.
- User Experience Self-Service: The website emphasizes calling agents for changes, cancellations, and even more flight offers, suggesting a less robust online self-service portal than many competitors.
- Customer Support: Advertises 24/7 support, which is a significant plus for travelers.
- Hidden Charges: Claims “Pay no hidden charges,” a vital promise for trust.
- Ethical Consideration: Booking travel itself is permissible, but the method of booking and the transparency of the service are key. The reliance on phone calls for key actions changes/cancellations could lead to less clear paper trails compared to online systems, which might introduce uncertainty.
While Flightfaredeals.com presents itself as a comprehensive resource for cheap flights, the heavy emphasis on phone-based interactions for critical post-booking services like changes and cancellations is a red flag.
This reliance on calling an “expert travel agent” for modifications, even for simple tasks, contrasts sharply with the self-service convenience offered by many leading online travel agencies.
This could potentially lead to unforeseen complications, delays, or additional fees that are harder to track without a clear online paper trail.
It also raises questions about the efficiency and potential cost implications of relying solely on agents for common customer service needs.
While their promise of “no hidden charges” is good, the lack of self-service for key functions could imply hidden complexities or a less straightforward process than advertised.
Here are some better alternatives for booking travel, focusing on platforms known for their transparency, comprehensive self-service options, and strong user support, which align better with ethical and straightforward transactions:
- Google Flights:
- Key Features: Powerful meta-search engine, price tracking, flexible date search, multi-city options, “Explore” map for destination ideas. Integrates directly with airlines and OTAs.
- Average Price: Free to use for search. prices depend on the airline/OTA chosen.
- Pros: Highly transparent, excellent for comparing prices across many providers, no booking fees, direct links to book. Provides historical price data.
- Cons: Does not handle the actual booking, redirects to other sites.
- Skyscanner:
- Key Features: Comprehensive flight, hotel, and car rental search. “Everywhere” search option for flexible travelers. Price alerts. Eco-friendly flight filter.
- Pros: Broad coverage of airlines and OTAs, user-friendly interface, strong mobile app, good for finding the absolute cheapest options.
- Cons: Similar to Google Flights, it’s a meta-search engine, so booking is done elsewhere.
- Kayak:
- Key Features: Aggregates deals from hundreds of travel sites. Price forecasts. Flexible search options. Package deals.
- Pros: Very comprehensive search, good for finding package deals, includes flexible date search.
- Cons: Can sometimes redirect to less reputable OTAs.
- Expedia:
- Key Features: One-stop shop for flights, hotels, cars, and packages. Rewards program. Price match guarantee. 24/7 customer service.
- Average Price: Varies significantly based on booking.
- Pros: Reputable and established, convenient for booking bundles, strong customer support, robust self-service options.
- Cons: Not always the absolute cheapest for flights alone. some cancellation policies can be strict.
- Priceline:
- Key Features: “Name Your Own Price” though less prevalent now, Express Deals, bundling options for flights and hotels, car rentals.
- Average Price: Varies based on booking.
- Pros: Can offer significant discounts, especially on Express Deals, strong for package bookings.
- Cons: Express Deals come with less flexibility e.g., airline isn’t revealed until after purchase, customer service can be slow for complex issues.
- Southwest Airlines Official Site:
- Key Features: Only available on their official website. Free checked bags 2 per passenger. No change fees only fare difference applies. Good for domestic US travel.
- Average Price: Varies.
- Pros: Transparent pricing, excellent flexibility for changes, generous baggage allowance, strong customer service.
- Cons: Limited international routes, not integrated with most OTAs.
- United Airlines Official Site:
- Key Features: Global network. MileagePlus loyalty program. Diverse fare classes. Extensive self-service options on their website and app.
- Pros: Reputable airline, good for international travel, direct booking ensures clear policies and easier management of bookings.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than budget carriers. basic economy tickets have restrictions.
Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.
IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.
Flightfaredeals.com Review & First Look
When you first land on Flightfaredeals.com, the immediate impression is one of a service focused on affordability.
The headline “Today deals, $20 instant discount on your flight” and promises like “Unbeatable Price” and “Cheap Booking Fares” immediately grab attention.
The design is straightforward, presenting a clear search box for travel details.
They emphasize 24/7 support and “Effortless Bookings,” which are key selling points for any travel site.
Initial Impressions and Promises
The homepage highlights several key claims:
- “Get Unpublished deals”: This is a common claim in the travel industry, suggesting access to fares not publicly advertised. While enticing, verifying such claims usually requires direct comparison or customer testimonials, which are not immediately visible.
- “Find Your Best Deal Guarantee Unbeatable Price”: A bold claim that sets high expectations. For a consumer, this implies they won’t find a lower price elsewhere. Without a formal price match guarantee policy clearly outlined, this promise can be difficult to substantiate.
- “24X7 Support Team”: This is a crucial aspect for any travel booking site, as travel plans can change unexpectedly. Knowing there’s round-the-clock assistance is reassuring.
- “Pay no hidden charges”: This is a significant promise that directly addresses one of the biggest frustrations for online travel bookers. Transparency in pricing is paramount.
Transparency in the User Interface
While the site presents a clean interface for initial searches, the underlying mechanisms for post-booking modifications are less visible.
The homepage prominently displays popular flight routes and destinations, along with sample pricing, giving users a quick overview of potential deals.
However, the details on how these “unpublished deals” are accessed or verified, or the specific terms associated with the “unbeatable price guarantee,” are not immediately accessible on the main page.
This necessitates further exploration of their terms and conditions, which is standard practice but can sometimes reveal complexities that aren’t apparent upfront.
The emphasis on calling an agent for crucial actions might also suggest a less automated and potentially less transparent process for handling issues compared to platforms with robust self-service portals. Remitly.com Review
Flightfaredeals.com Pros & Cons
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of any online service is crucial before committing.
Based on the information presented on their homepage, Flightfaredeals.com offers some compelling benefits, but also has areas where it could improve, especially when compared to industry leaders in transparency and self-service.
Stated Advantages
The website clearly lists several aspects it considers strengths:
- Aggressive Pricing Claims: Promises like “$20 instant discount,” “Unbeatable Price,” and “Cheapest Deal” are designed to attract price-sensitive travelers. While verification requires actual use, these claims are strong initial draws.
- 24/7 Support: The availability of a “24X7 Support Team” is a significant advantage. Travel plans can be unpredictable, and access to assistance at any time, especially across different time zones, provides peace of mind.
- No Hidden Charges Promise: This is a critical trust factor. Many travelers have experienced frustration with unexpected fees. Flightfaredeals.com explicitly states “Pay no hidden charges,” which is a positive commitment if upheld.
- Wide Range of Deals: The site mentions searching “over thousands of airlines, hotels, and flight deals,” indicating a broad inventory, and offers various categories like “Military Flight Deals,” “Senior Citizen Flights,” and “Last Minute Deals,” suggesting catering to diverse needs.
- Based in USA: Being “based in Maryland USA” provides a level of comfort regarding regulatory oversight and potential recourse for U.S.-based customers, compared to companies based in less regulated jurisdictions.
Potential Disadvantages and Areas for Improvement
Despite the highlighted pros, several aspects on the homepage suggest potential drawbacks or areas where Flightfaredeals.com falls short of modern online travel agency standards:
- Lack of Robust Self-Service for Post-Booking Actions: A significant concern arises from the statement: “Flights cannot currently be modified at www.flightfaredeals.com. If you need to change or cancel flights or you need further assistance with your flight reservation, please contact our expert travel agent.” This is a major limitation in an age where most reputable OTAs offer comprehensive online tools for changes, cancellations, and modifications. Relying solely on phone calls can be time-consuming, frustrating, and make tracking changes more difficult. This also adds a layer of dependency on agents, which might lead to delays or additional fees not clearly stated online.
- Verification of “Unpublished Deals” and Guarantees: While claims of “Unbeatable Price” and “Unpublished deals” are appealing, the website doesn’t offer immediate tools or clear policies to verify these claims. There’s no visible price match guarantee mechanism or transparent explanation of how these “unpublished” fares are accessed. This can leave customers questioning the authenticity of these claims.
- Limited Online Transparency of Policies: Beyond the initial search, detailed policies regarding cancellations, refunds, baggage allowances, or specific terms for special deals are not prominently displayed on the homepage. While common for terms and conditions to be elsewhere, the direct instruction to call for changes suggests these aren’t easily managed through a user account or online portal.
- Emphasis on Call Center Interaction: While 24/7 support is a pro, the heavy reliance on phone calls for fundamental tasks like changing or canceling a flight indicates a less digitally advanced platform. This might deter users who prefer efficient online self-service or those in situations where a phone call is inconvenient or costly.
- Potential for Miscommunication: When complex changes are handled over the phone, there’s a higher risk of miscommunication compared to a clear, documented online process. This could lead to discrepancies between what was agreed upon and what is actually processed.
In summary, Flightfaredeals.com makes strong promises regarding price and support.
However, its significant limitation in providing online self-service for critical post-booking modifications is a notable drawback that could impact user experience and transparency, especially for travelers accustomed to the ease and control offered by more established online travel agencies.
How to Book Cheap Flights Online with Flightfaredeals.com and its Limitations
Flightfaredeals.com outlines a straightforward process for booking flights, emphasizing ease of use.
However, it’s important to understand where their process differs from what users might expect from a fully integrated online travel agency, particularly when it comes to post-booking management.
The Stated Booking Process
The website describes a typical online booking flow:
- Visit the Website: Navigate to Flightfaredeals.com.
- Enter Your Travel Details: Use the search box on the homepage to input origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers. They mention “advanced search options” for filters like preferred airlines or cabin class.
- Explore Flight Options: The site presents a list of flight options from various airlines, sortable by price, duration, times, etc.
- Compare and Select: Users are advised to review details like total cost, layovers, and fees before selecting a flight.
- Complete Your Booking: Provide personal and payment information securely. They state acceptance of credit cards, debit cards, and popular digital wallets.
- Receive Confirmation: A confirmation email with booking reference number and trip details is sent.
This process mirrors what you’d find on most travel sites. Grainconnect.com Review
The key differentiator, however, emerges when changes or cancellations are needed.
Critical Limitations in Booking Management
The most significant limitation, as explicitly stated on their homepage, is the inability to modify or cancel flights directly on their website.
- “Flights cannot currently be modified at www.flightfaredeals.com.” This means that if your plans change, or if you need to adjust anything from your flight dates to passenger names, you cannot do it online.
- Reliance on Call Center for Changes/Cancellations: The instruction is clear: “If you need to change or cancel flights or you need further assistance with your flight reservation, please contact our expert travel agent.” This forces all post-booking adjustments through a phone call, which can be less convenient, slower, and potentially prone to miscommunication compared to an online portal where changes are clearly documented and confirmed digitally.
- Potential for Hidden Fees or Delays: While they promise “no hidden charges” for booking, the process of changing or canceling via a call center might involve service fees imposed by Flightfaredeals.com beyond airline charges, or delays in processing that could lead to higher costs if changes are time-sensitive. This manual process can also make it harder for customers to compare their options or understand the full financial implications before committing to a change.
This model of operations, while perhaps supporting a smaller, agent-centric approach, stands in contrast to the industry standard set by major online travel agencies and even airline direct bookings, which empower users with self-service tools for most common modifications.
How to Save Money on Flights with Flightfaredeals.com
Flightfaredeals.com provides several tips for travelers looking to maximize savings when booking flights through their platform.
These strategies are fairly standard across the online travel industry, but it’s worth reviewing them in the context of Flightfaredeals.com’s specific offerings.
Recommended Savings Strategies
The website suggests the following methods to secure cheaper airfare:
- Subscribe to their Newsletter: By signing up, users are promised “exclusive deals, promo codes, and special offers directly in your inbox.” This is a common and effective way to receive timely promotions that might not be available through general searches.
- Use Promo Codes and Discounts: Flightfaredeals.com states they “frequently partner with airlines and other travel providers to offer promo codes and discounts.” They advise checking for these before completing a booking. This is crucial as promo codes can offer significant percentage-based or flat-rate savings.
- Book Early or Late: The classic advice in air travel. Booking well in advance typically 2-3 months for domestic, 3-6 months for international often yields lower prices as airlines haven’t yet adjusted fares based on demand. Conversely, genuine “last-minute deals” can sometimes appear, though these are less reliable and often geared towards filling unsold seats on specific routes.
- Opt for Budget Airlines: Flightfaredeals.com points out that while major airlines offer more amenities, budget airlines can be a great way to save. They claim to provide “a wide range of budget airline options,” allowing for price comparison. This strategy often involves fewer included perks like checked bags or seat selection but can significantly reduce the base fare.
Practical Considerations for These Tips
While these tips are generally sound, a few practical considerations apply when using Flightfaredeals.com:
- Promo Code Visibility: While they state codes are available, their primary call to action for “more flight offers and coupons” is to “call our travel agent or email us.” This suggests that some of the best deals or promo codes might not be readily visible on the website itself, requiring direct interaction with an agent. This again points to a less automated, more agent-dependent system for accessing optimal savings.
- “Unpublished Deals” vs. Standard Deals: The “unpublished deals” claim could align with their strategy of encouraging direct calls. It implies that some of the best prices are not available via the standard online search but are revealed through agent interaction. While this might indeed lead to lower fares, it removes the immediate transparency and self-service comparison that many travelers prefer.
- Flexibility for Savings: As with any travel booking, flexibility with dates, times, and even airports can unlock substantial savings. Flightfaredeals.com’s search interface appears to support standard flexible date searches, but users might need to explore different combinations manually or rely on agent advice for truly optimal routes.
In essence, Flightfaredeals.com leverages established money-saving tactics but funnels some of the deeper savings opportunities through direct agent interaction.
This can be beneficial for those who prefer personalized assistance but might be a hurdle for users seeking fully transparent, self-service online deal discovery.
Flightfaredeals.com Pricing & Unbeatable Price Guarantee
Flightfaredeals.com heavily emphasizes its pricing advantage, prominently displaying promises such as “$20 instant discount,” “Unbeatable Price,” and “Low Airfare Guaranteed.” These claims are designed to instill confidence in customers that they are getting the best possible deal. Nebu.to Review
However, understanding the nuances of these guarantees and the overall pricing structure is key.
Pricing Structure and Claims
- “Unbeatable Price” & “Low Airfare Guaranteed”: These are strong guarantees that imply Flightfaredeals.com will consistently offer the lowest fares available. For consumers, this suggests that checking other sites is unnecessary. However, the mechanism for claiming or enforcing this guarantee isn’t clearly outlined on the homepage. Reputable companies offering such guarantees usually have a “price match policy” detailing the conditions e.g., must be an identical itinerary, publicly available fare, same booking class, within a specific timeframe. The absence of such a clear, actionable policy on the homepage makes it difficult for a customer to verify or leverage this guarantee.
- “Pay no hidden charges”: This is a critical promise that aims to build trust. Many online travel agencies are criticized for adding surprise fees during the booking process e.g., service fees, payment processing fees. If Flightfaredeals.com truly adheres to this, it’s a significant advantage. The final price displayed before payment should be the total price, excluding optional extras purchased by the customer like seat selection or extra baggage if not included in the fare type.
- Displayed Sample Fares: The website lists popular flight routes with sample prices e.g., Las Vegas LAS Miami MIA Book now $159. These serve as indicators of the type of deals they offer, but it’s important to remember that such prices are highly dynamic and subject to change based on demand, seasonality, and availability. They are illustrative, not fixed.
- “Unpublished Deals”: This implies access to special, non-public fares. While enticing, the method to access these, beyond calling an agent, is unclear. Such deals might come with specific restrictions e.g., non-refundable, limited availability, which should be transparently communicated.
Evaluating the Guarantees
From a consumer perspective, “Unbeatable Price” and “Low Airfare Guaranteed” are excellent marketing statements, but their practical value depends on the transparency and ease of their implementation.
- Verification: Without a clear online tool or detailed process for price matching, a customer’s only recourse to verify these claims would be to manually compare Flightfaredeals.com’s prices against numerous other travel sites and airline direct bookings. This manual comparison negates some of the convenience an OTA is supposed to provide.
- Terms and Conditions: The actual terms and conditions T&Cs for these guarantees would be crucial. Do they apply to basic economy fares? Are there blackout dates? What is the window for a price match claim? These details are vital for a guarantee to be truly meaningful and actionable.
- Agent Reliance: The repeated emphasis on calling an agent for “more flight offers and coupons” and for “further assistance” suggests that some of the best pricing or deal negotiations might happen offline, through direct interaction. This model, while potentially effective for some customers, limits the immediate, transparent online comparison and self-service control.
In conclusion, while Flightfaredeals.com positions itself as a low-cost leader with strong price guarantees, the lack of readily available, actionable policies for these guarantees on the homepage means customers need to exercise caution and potentially invest more effort in verifying these claims compared to platforms with transparent price match policies and robust self-service tools.
Flightfaredeals.com vs. Competitors
When evaluating Flightfaredeals.com, it’s helpful to compare its offerings against some of the more established and widely recognized players in the online travel agency OTA and meta-search engine space.
The key differentiators often lie in features, self-service capabilities, and transparency.
Comparison with Meta-Search Engines e.g., Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak
- Flightfaredeals.com: Operates as an OTA, directly handling bookings, potentially through its own agents. Claims to offer “unpublished deals” and provides a direct booking platform. Its core model appears to be agent-assisted for complex actions.
- Meta-Search Engines: These platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak are aggregators. They don’t sell tickets themselves. instead, they find the best prices from airlines and other OTAs and then redirect the user to complete the booking on the respective site.
- Pros of Meta-Search: Highly transparent comparison showing prices from multiple sources side-by-side, excellent for finding the absolute lowest price across the market, no booking fees from the meta-search engine itself. They offer robust tools for flexible date searches, price tracking, and multi-city itineraries.
- Cons of Meta-Search: You still need to go to another site to book, and the customer service experience post-booking depends entirely on the chosen airline or OTA.
- Key Difference: Flightfaredeals.com aims to be the direct booking point, promising 24/7 support. Meta-search engines empower the user to find the best deal and then choose where to book, often leading to greater transparency of options but not direct customer service for the booking itself.
Comparison with Major Online Travel Agencies e.g., Expedia, Priceline, Booking.com
- Flightfaredeals.com: Appears to operate with a stronger emphasis on agent interaction, particularly for post-booking changes and cancellations. Its website explicitly states that online modifications are not possible.
- Major OTAs: Companies like Expedia, Priceline, and Booking.com are full-service online travel agencies.
- Pros of Major OTAs: They offer comprehensive self-service portals where users can view, modify, or cancel bookings online, check flight status, and often manage other aspects of their trip hotels, cars. They have established loyalty programs, extensive customer review systems, and typically offer price match guarantees with clear policies. Their customer service is generally multi-channel phone, chat, email. They also offer bundled deals flight + hotel which can sometimes provide significant savings.
- Cons of Major OTAs: While often competitive, they may not always have the absolute lowest price compared to direct airline bookings or obscure meta-search findings. Their cancellation policies, while transparent, can sometimes be rigid depending on the fare purchased.
- Key Difference: The most significant distinction is the self-service capability. Major OTAs invest heavily in user-friendly online tools for post-booking management, giving customers control and transparency. Flightfaredeals.com’s stated reliance on phone calls for these critical functions is a major differentiator that might deter users who value online autonomy and instant gratification.
Niche Focus and Customer Service Model
Flightfaredeals.com seems to position itself strongly on low fares and direct agent interaction for securing “unpublished deals.” This model might appeal to travelers who prefer speaking to an agent for personalized service and complex itineraries, or who are less comfortable with purely online self-service.
However, for the majority of modern travelers who expect efficient online management of their bookings, the lack of self-service options for changes and cancellations is a considerable competitive disadvantage.
In an industry where speed, transparency, and user control are highly valued, Flightfaredeals.com’s model seems to lean towards a more traditional, call-center-heavy approach rather than leveraging full digital self-service capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flightfaredeals.com a legitimate website?
Yes, based on the information provided on their homepage, Flightfaredeals.com appears to be a legitimate online travel agency stating it is “based in Maryland USA.”
Can I change my flight booking on Flightfaredeals.com’s website?
No, the website explicitly states: “Flights cannot currently be modified at www.flightfaredeals.com.” You must contact their expert travel agent via phone for any changes or assistance. Uberbikecomponents.com Review
How do I cancel a flight booking made with Flightfaredeals.com?
You cannot cancel your flight booking directly on their website.
You need to contact their expert travel agent by phone for cancellation services.
Does Flightfaredeals.com offer 24/7 customer support?
Yes, Flightfaredeals.com states they have a “24X7 Support Team” ready to assist with issues and that a “dedicated agent available 24*7 with you, just Call us!”
What kind of deals does Flightfaredeals.com claim to offer?
Flightfaredeals.com claims to offer “Unpublished deals,” “Unbeatable Price,” “Cheap Booking Fares,” “Today deals,” and specific categories like “Military Flight Deals,” “Senior Citizen Flights,” and “Last Minute Deals.”
Does Flightfaredeals.com charge hidden fees?
No, Flightfaredeals.com explicitly states “Pay no hidden charges” on its homepage, promising transparency in pricing.
How can I save money on flights using Flightfaredeals.com?
They suggest subscribing to their newsletter for exclusive deals, using promo codes and discounts, booking early or late, and opting for budget airlines.
Does Flightfaredeals.com provide hotel or car rental bookings?
Yes, the homepage mentions that they “Search over thousands of airlines, hotels, and flight deals all at one place,” indicating they offer more than just flights.
What is the “Best Deal Guarantee” by Flightfaredeals.com?
Flightfaredeals.com claims “Find Your Best Deal Guarantee Unbeatable Price.” However, the specific terms, conditions, or an actionable process for this guarantee are not detailed on the homepage.
How many airlines do they partner with?
Flightfaredeals.com claims to have “amazing deals with more than 100+ domestic and international airline carriers.”
Can I book multi-city flights on Flightfaredeals.com?
Yes, they state, “You can find best deals on one-way, round trip and multi-city flights.” Acemoneytransfer.com Review
Do I need to pay immediately to get a booking confirmation?
The website states, “You can book your business flights, group tickets, family holiday flights and get confirmation without spending a single penny,” which implies you can receive a confirmation before payment, but this is an unusual claim for a final booking.
Typically, confirmation is provided after successful payment.
Is Flightfaredeals.com suitable for corporate or group travel?
Yes, they mention, “You can book your business flights, group tickets, family holiday flights,” suggesting they cater to these types of bookings.
What information do I need to enter to search for flights?
You need to enter your desired departure and arrival cities, travel dates, and the number of passengers in the search box.
Are there advanced search options available on Flightfaredeals.com?
Yes, they mention exploring “advanced search options for additional filters, such as preferred airlines, cabin class, and stopover preferences.”
What payment options does Flightfaredeals.com accept?
Flightfaredeals.com states they offer “a variety of payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and popular digital wallets.”
How do I receive my flight confirmation after booking?
After completing your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details of your flight, including your booking reference number.
Does Flightfaredeals.com offer deals for specific destinations?
Yes, they list “Explore Destination” options like Bali, Chicago, Dubai, New York, and Paris, along with “Popular Flight Route” examples and “View More Domestic/International Destinations.”
What is the process if I need “further assistance” with my flight reservation?
If you need further assistance with your flight reservation, you are advised to contact their expert travel agent directly by phone.
Is it safe to provide personal and payment information on Flightfaredeals.com?
Flightfaredeals.com claims “100% Safe Purchase Guaranteed” and mentions securely providing personal and payment information during the booking process. Itison.com Review
Users should always ensure they are on a secure HTTPS connection.
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