Refunds of flight ticket payments

1000.Saver

Hi!

Through the web I made a mistaken booking with Air Berlin yesterday, on the cheap sort of ticket where they do not 'allow' refunds.

I was just wondering about the legality of this if purchases on the web allow for a 7-day 'cooling off'.

What is the get out which allows them not to refund?

(The booking was for 19th December, so not particularly short notice.)

Any ideas?

zagfles

See http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/distance-selling-regulations/

Seems there's an exception for bookings for specific dates, presumably because the price can fluctuate a lot so if the price goes down people could just cancel and rebook.

jpsartre

Have you called Air Berlin? Some airlines (Air France and BA spring to mind) offer a 24-hour cooling off period.

1000.Saver

jpSatre: yes, I tried them. Apparently they work on calendar cooling off, not 24 hours. I asked for the tax back and, after charges, am getting a £10 refund! (The full ticket price for 2 people was £166 so I'm not going to starve - but it's still a shame.)
Incidentally, their UK telephone number did not work, so I had to ring Germany. That would have been a cost if I didn't have the right sort of telephone contract with my provider.

zagflies: thank you. Now I know (sadly.)