Refunds for not travelling

continualdiamond

Has anyone been successful getting refunds for not travelling?

I was mean't to fly to Australia last night and had a massive panic attack before i set off from my house. I've had panic attacks before, but not like this one, i couldn't breathe, was crying non stop. I had full intention of flying, as had everything ready. But 1 hr before i was due to make my way to the airport, i went into a right state.

Im really annoyed with myself as i have let my whole family down (iam from Australia), my parents paid for my flight and it wasn't just a holiday. I was going back to be a bridesmaid in my sisters wedding.

What should i do to try and get some money back? No way could i have flown in the state i was on, god knows how i would of been if i'd made it to the aiport.

Im going to get a doctors certificate, would that help do you think??

Any tips of dealing with my family, well especially my sister. My dad has rang but i can't bare to talk to him, my fiancee has spoken to him, i'm just so embarssed and above all very scared on how angry they will be with me.

mad_rich

Sorry to hear this - must be an upsetting time.

Do you have travel insurance? That may help (although you would have to convince them that there were bona fide medical reasons, and not just a 'disinclination to travel' - a doctor's note may help).

Without it, you would need to be appealing to the airline's good nature, which may be in short supply. Did you call them to say you wouldn't be making the flight, or were you a no-show?

I presume you had a totally inflexible ticket, but check to make sure - you might be able to rebook or refund. If all else fails, you should be able to get a refund of taxes (minus an administration fee). Which airline was it?

continualdiamond

Yes had travel insurance, my type of bank account comes with travel insurance all the time.

I was a no show for my flight, i tried to calm myself down and wanted to make my journey, so i put off cancelling incase i got myself round.

Yes, totally inflexible ticket. Airline was Qantas/BA joint.

BigNige

unless you get a full price ticket and tell them in advance, no chance

Easyjet did refund my taxes once, as they said they couldnt take the money because I did not actually fly.

I have never tried it with the main carriers, but I think you may be able to do this with them as well. It makes sense. If you pay £40 to leave the UK and don't leave the UK, you shouldn't have to pay it.

This could mean on a £230 flight to New York, where taxes make up £160 of the price, you could be in line for a refund

But I have never tried other than with Easyjet so I dont know if they would do the same

Good luck

BigNige

Ryanair you'll have no chance by the way... you know what they're like!

dmg24

BigNige wrote: »

Ryanair you'll have no chance by the way... you know what they're like!

I don't think Ryanair fly to Australia?!!!

Sam_Bee

What a horrible experience - I really feel for you.

A doctors note will definitely help, look at the technicalities of your insurance regarding missing flights through illness and pursue from there.

For future reference come back and ask about courses such as Virgin's Fear of Flying - fantastic courses to combat your fears and get you flying again - as i'm sure you'll be heading home at some point.

BigNige

can you imagine Ryanair to Australia? I think i would rather swim...

mystic_trev

continualdiamond wrote: »

Yes had travel insurance, my type of bank account comes with travel insurance all the time.

Your Insurance won't cover you, as you've admitted it's a pre-existing condition and (I assume) you didn't let your Bank Insurers know?

continualdiamond

It's not a pre-existing condition, not in terms of flying anyway. I have no problem getting on planes etc.

But anyway i am not covered as cancellation/no show for flights is only covered for death, injury and illness, panic attack is not deemed as an illness. However still going to get that doctors certificate and call them back during the week, going to keep trying to claim anyway as my parents paid for my flight, so gotta do all ican to get some of the money back for them.

Will get my taxes back anyway £272.70 from the airline company.

BigNige

be very careful before you get the doctor's certificate...panic attacks are a bonafide medical condition and come under "stress" - but do you want to have that on your medical history as it could prejudice in future insurance policies, claims etc

If £272 is a large proportion of your flight cost, perhaps you should just get that back from the airline and draw a line under it. Its very upsetting I am sure but perhaps you can see if the airline will rearrange your flight? Do you know you had a panic attack about flying or just a general panic attack? If it is the latter then maybe see if you can fly again in a few days..