We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
🔔 You've got till Monday to apply to become an MSE Forum Ambassador

Cancelling non-refundable flights

CeeJay
CeeJay Posts: 28 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
I have flights booked with conditions that the ticket is non-refundable and no changes allowed. It has been suggested by a friend that although the fare is non-refundable, the flight company should refund any airport taxes and fuel surcharge.

Does anyone have experience of this at all or is this covered by any legislation please?

Comments

  • highguyuk
    highguyuk Posts: 2,763 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Personally, I don't think you stand a chance.

    In theory, what do you have to lose to ask?
  • dixie_dean_2
    dixie_dean_2 Posts: 1,812 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You can claim the taxes back but probably not the fuel surcharges. Most travel agents don't mention this because its a pain in the !!!!!! to do! Some low cost carriers have t and c that state you can't get the btaxes back, or charge e fee to do this. Whether this is legal or not I dont know.
    And if, you know, your history...
  • hjb123
    hjb123 Posts: 32,002 Forumite
    You can always have a go at reclaiming taxes or anything you can - afterall nothing ventured nothing gained!
    Weight Loss - 102lb
  • Not exctly what you are looking for but thought I would share this experience...

    ..booked a budget flight online with virgin-atlantic to shanghai, for myself and a colleaue, booking made on a saturday afernoon. Realised after a few hours that the plans for my colleague would need to change, but saw that the ticket conditions were the usual "non refundable no change" clause, then saw that this applied to the "ticket", and at that time , and still 24 hours later, no e-ticket had been issued - all I had was a booking confirmation.

    Anyway I called, explained , cited that I stilll had no ticket and they fully cancelled the booking and refunded the whole amount with no argument at all.

    I don't know if this was a particular feature of the weekend, or of virgin, but in the small print it says that tickets can take up to 96 hours to be issued, so thjis seems a useful grace period. I doubt I would have been able to do this had my booking been with expedia or opodo, so it may be a good tip to use these sites for comparison, then book directly with ther airlines.
  • Claudie
    Claudie Posts: 1,316 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I changed the dates on a non refundable flight....called the airline direct, was as nice as humanly possible explained what had happened and asked if they could help. The agent said they could change the ticket for a £100 fee, I nicely (really nicely) explained that I didn't have £100 available so she waived the fee and changed the tickets :O)

    Sometimes I think it is all down to the agent but if you don't ask???

    Good luck
    The smallest deed is greater than the grandest intention ~ Anonymous
  • CeeJay
    CeeJay Posts: 28 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks for all the replies. I will certainly be giving it a try and I'll post the results.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 241.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 618.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.9K Life & Family
  • 254.7K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.