Airline ticket refunds
Discussion
You are entitled to all the tax back if you don't fly. It only applies if the bum goes on the seat. Heard this on Radio 4 a few months back. I put it to the test when I cancelled a flight with BMI. After much hesitation I eventually got somoeone who had heard of it. £20 tax back sir? Certainly, but there's a £20 "administration" charge. Was tempted to see it through, but you never do with that type of thing.
aliged said:
You are entitled to the tax back....sometimes less a 'fee'. I own a Corporate Travel Management Company.
I bought the ticket from an EU airline for travel within the EU. Are you advising that it's EU law that the tax must be refunded?
The airline has told me that they don't refund tax as from February 2005.
Ok, got a reply from IATA.
"Thank you for your email.
IATA is the international trade association that provides services for its member airlines. Within that context IATA also publishes resolutions and guidelines that help to ensure that members' airlines can operate safely, securely, efficiently and economically around the world.
IATA is not a regulatory body. We cannot intervene in service disputes or other commercial matters involving IATA member airlines. Any disputes or clarifications must be addressed directly to the carrier in question.
Tariff conditions are available at the time of booking/payment. In respect of the reduced fare (non flexible tarif) you have less options for cancellations, re-routing or re-scheduling. In some cases travel insurance may cover changes to travel plans on compassionate grounds. IATA however has no standard regarding cancellation charges. It is up to the discretion and decision of each individual airline. The refunding of tax is also up to the individual airline.
Kind regards,
IATA Corporate Communications"
Well, looks like they're not interested and the airline can do what they like - even charge the tax twice on the same seat if they resell my seat to someone else. Surely this must be illegal?
"Thank you for your email.
IATA is the international trade association that provides services for its member airlines. Within that context IATA also publishes resolutions and guidelines that help to ensure that members' airlines can operate safely, securely, efficiently and economically around the world.
IATA is not a regulatory body. We cannot intervene in service disputes or other commercial matters involving IATA member airlines. Any disputes or clarifications must be addressed directly to the carrier in question.
Tariff conditions are available at the time of booking/payment. In respect of the reduced fare (non flexible tarif) you have less options for cancellations, re-routing or re-scheduling. In some cases travel insurance may cover changes to travel plans on compassionate grounds. IATA however has no standard regarding cancellation charges. It is up to the discretion and decision of each individual airline. The refunding of tax is also up to the individual airline.
Kind regards,
IATA Corporate Communications"
Well, looks like they're not interested and the airline can do what they like - even charge the tax twice on the same seat if they resell my seat to someone else. Surely this must be illegal?
aliged said:
silver993tt said:
Air Baltic, partnered with SAS. Not a low cost airline. Flight was from Dusseldorf to Riga, scheduled.
Could you point me to some EU terms & conditions on this?
>> Edited by silver993tt on Tuesday 6th September 17:23
I normally charge a management fee for this type of guidance however you're probably not likely to want to pay it.............ach, what the hell!.....the public expect travel agents to help out for free so why should you be any different?
Contact IATA ....
custserv@iata.org
>> Edited by aliged on Tuesday 6th September 17:32
What a curious attitude. You expect people to pay a fee for an email address?
If you ARE serious, then I think it is pathetic. Absolutely.
If you aren't, then well done very funny.
>> Edited by volvos70t5 on Friday 16th September 22:41
aliged said:
Nothing curious about it Volvo-chap. I was never once looking for a fee but gave the advice FOC. That I advise (succesfully) Corporate Companies with Travel Budgets £150K upto £3M P.A might give you a big fat clue as to where I'm coming from. JEEEEZ!!!!!
I have no reason to doubt what you do for a living but why would you want, or even alude to wanting, a fee for knocking out a few sentences?
I wouldn't dream of even thinking of charging someone for what was, in effect, 30 seconds of my time.
I really don't understand where you are coming from, old chap.
aliged said:
volvos70t5 said:
aliged said:
Might you be the type of person that thinks Airline loyalty points are, ahem, 'free'?
Objection: Relevance?
<sniffs derisory bait then swims off to deeper waters looking for tea>
Whatever. You still haven't explained why you think it MAY be necessary for someone to be charged for 30 seconds of your time. Feel free to keep ignoring this question if you want to.
>> Edited by volvos70t5 on Saturday 17th September 11:58
aliged said:
I'm in admiration of your persistence Fella! Let me try to explain. When you are employed within the Travel Industry there are many occasions when we are asked for advice in an informal situation. (I imagine it's a bit like being a Doctor who gets to hear about others aches whilst he's having a pint down't pub). It does indeed get to be a pain and I try not to be rude by return. My small gripe about our 'freebie' culture would definitely have been better left out but I genuinely did NOT expect any payment for any advice given to 993TT. His 'thank-you' was more than enough. The question could easily have been about a non-refundable Business Class ticket at £3K......would I have felt entitled to fiscal recognition had he luckily been refunded that £3K with my assistance? Probably! That's the way the World works and is what puts food in my Family's mouth. Whether it takes 30 seconds to help to the positive or 30 hours is irrelevant. A wise man learns to Pay it Forward. Should YOU need any help in the future reference to Travel then I'd be delighted to help in the agreement that my effort has some value and you will recognise that appropriately and comensurately. I'll re-iterate....no fee changed hands and 993TT's thanks were enough (on THIS occasion)
Fair enough?
I agree completely but this is a forum where people discuss, annoy and occasionally help each other. I just cannot understand a mentality that is forever thinking "What can I make out of this?" when the effort you put in was to type a few sentences and provide an email address.
Thanks for the offer (of future assistance) but I don't think I'll need it.
Persistent? Moi?
aliged said:
Persistant yes.....but it doesn't necessarily make you right
If I'm wrong then that makes you right. So, perhaps you should take this opportunity to finally explain why you think it MIGHT be necessary for someone to pay you for 30 seconds work.
Go on, I'm geninely interested.
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