KLM mistake proccessing payment for flight

nounfairfine

Hi, I flew with KLM in September from London to Miami and I booked my tickets over the phone using some vouchers that KLM gave me for a delayed flight in the past. They took my card details to pay for the rest of the money that the vouchers weren't covering, and everything was proccessed fine. I was surprised that they didn't take the money from my bank account and I phoned twice to check that everything was fine, as I was worried that the tickets weren't valid or not proccessed until payment was taken. But the guy on the phone said that payment was already collected and the tickets were valid and proccessed, ready to be used.
I flew and KLM never took the money for those tickets from my card.
Someone from KLM phoned me today after 5 months, claiming the money for those tickets, although they admited that it was their mistake proccessing the payment.
What shall I do? I didn't do anything wrong, it was their mistake, and I never refused paying or gave them false data. Can they claim the money now or shall I ignore them?

miduck

Yes, they have up to six years to claim the money. I can't believe you would not volunteer to pay up - you did use the flight.

nounfairfine

I did, I phoned them twice before flying to query about it and they said that everything was fine and ready. Then I thought that they might charge me later on, but they didn't. It was their mistake, not mine trying to cheat them. I didn't do that at all. They should claim for the money to the person making the mistake, not me, as everyhting was proccessed and authorized.
I didn't give them false card details, neither denied to pay for it before flying and making the reservation.
I am not talking about what I should have done or what it is fair. I am just querying about legality now. If they have the right or not to claim for the money due to their mistake, and if I am going to get into trouble or not if I don't pay now, as I am not happy at all after all this time.

miduck

nounfairfine wrote: »

I did, I phoned them twice before flying to query about it and they said that everything was fine and ready. Then I thought that they might charge me later on, but they didn't. It was their mistake, not mine trying to cheat them. I didn't do that at all. They should claim for the money to the person making the mistake, not me, as everyhting was proccessed and authorized.
I didn't give them false card details, neither denied to pay for it before flying and making the reservation.
I am not talking about what I should have done or what it is fair. I am just querying about legality now. If they have the right or not to claim for the money due to their mistake, and if I am going to get into trouble or not if I don't pay now, as I am not happy at all after all this time.

Legally, they have the right to claim the money from you for six years. If you refuse to pay, they can pursue you through the courts. So you'll now call and pay up, yes?

mad_rich

If you want a legal opinion, perhaps you should contact a lawyer.

Look at it this way, you've benefitted from 5 months' interest free credit!

jpsartre

Legal issues aside, I don't get why you even consider ignoring them. You got what you paid for, clearly they're entitled to your money and should pay up. If this was 5 years after the fact I could perhaps see where you're coming from but 5 months isn't even that long time.

richardw

Offer them some nectar points.

blindman

Offer them a £1 per month due to financial hardship :cool: