Even though I was had been double vaccinated weeks prior; arrived at the airport 5 hours early; had two negative COVID tests, including a PCR test I was forced to pay $225 for at the airport (the free tests do not have the fast result turn-around required by the Sri Lankan government); proof of a ride from the airport and lodging information; I WAS DENIED ENTRY TO MY FIRST FLIGHT. I was told I needed a special email from the government? I was told to email immediately and given a bogus email address? The one man, who was a "supervisor" for Etihad and refused to identify himself, kept berating me and told me explicitly that "you Americans are used to going wherever you like whenever you like BUT IT'S NOT THAT WAY ANYMORE!!!" I was dumbfounded. I should mention that I was unfailingly polite the entire time. I would characterize this employee's behavior towards me as abuse. I did try to call KAYAK for several hours but no response. This same employee kept intercepting me on the snake line and continuously prevented me from approaching the check-in desk. I should add that I was the only person waiting who appeared to not be of SE Asian or Middle Eastern descent as well as the only unaccompanied woman. While I cannot for certain that this had anything to do with the Etihad employee's targeting, I can say. that my experience was truly horrible. After 5 hours of attempting check-in, being prevented from approaching the check-in desk, and being continuously denigrated and lied to, I left the airport in despair. That was only the beginning of my troubles. Many weeks later, I still do not have a refund, or even an exchange, for my wasted ticket. I have spent countless hours on hold with KAYAK and their enterprise is absolutely criminal. I really can not afford to lose the price of my ticket, but I don't know how many more weeks/days/hours I can spend fighting for a refund for a flight I was prevented from boarding for no apparent logical reason? AVOID ETIHAD. AVOID KAYAK!! They have stolen my money and have been absolutely horrid. And if anyone from KAYAK reads this PLEASE REFUND MY MONEY. I am so deeply tired of this. The way you have treated me is so. very. wrong.
