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Cancelling a Flight

Hello.


So basically I booked fights for myself and family on Monarch airlines for a family holiday in August. Cost £1400..


It now transpires for various reasons (none coverd by travel insurance) that we can't go.

Contractually it appears I am not entitled to any refund but just wondered out there if anybody has experience of "goodwill gestures" to this end ? It is 5 months notice and I'm sure they will comfortably sell the seats again

Thanks

Comments

  • leespot
    leespot Posts: 554 Forumite
    Monarch are notoriously bad for customer service - can you maybe look at selling the flights to recoup some of your expenses?
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    IMO no chance except that you will be able to claim the tax back but will cost you an admin fee to do so which may be as much as the tax.
  • InsideInsurance
    InsideInsurance Posts: 22,460 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You're more likely to get them to move it than cancel it, would that work?
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    leespot wrote: »
    Monarch are notoriously bad for customer service - can you maybe look at selling the flights to recoup some of your expenses?

    Just wondered how you would do that ,do Monarch allow name changes and what cost would there be if they do?
  • leespot
    leespot Posts: 554 Forumite
    photome wrote: »
    Just wondered how you would do that ,do Monarch allow name changes and what cost would there be if they do?

    If changes are allowed and it is a scheduled flight, prices are here:

    http://www.monarch.co.uk/faq/flights/fares-taxes-and-charges/fees-for-scheduled-flights
  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There was a case not to long ago about a similar case regarding a customer suing for the cost of a holiday back and won. The basis of the claim is that the holiday company mitigated their losses by rebooking the accommodation and flights, so in reality they would have been paid twice.


    As regulars on here know you can't get paid twice as it's classed as a penalty. The holiday company in question are appealing the decision so that story hasn't ended yet.


    Point being if the airline rebook the seats to someone else they would be forced by a court to refund the op. Consumer rights protect against unfair terms, this looks like a good case for that.
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    bris wrote: »
    There was a case not to long ago about a similar case regarding a customer suing for the cost of a holiday back and won. The basis of the claim is that the holiday company mitigated their losses by rebooking the accommodation and flights, so in reality they would have been paid twice.


    As regulars on here know you can't get paid twice as it's classed as a penalty. The holiday company in question are appealing the decision so that story hasn't ended yet.


    Point being if the airline rebook the seats to someone else they would be forced by a court to refund the op. Consumer rights protect against unfair terms, this looks like a good case for that.

    If its just a flight booking and the tickets are non refundable as is the case with most cheap flights, your post suggests that all airlines would now be forced to refund if they then resell the tickets if cancelled
  • unholyangel
    unholyangel Posts: 16,866 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    photome wrote: »
    If its just a flight booking and the tickets are non refundable as is the case with most cheap flights, your post suggests that all airlines would now be forced to refund if they then resell the tickets if cancelled

    Which is probably why TUI have decided to do a test case (in high court) rather than risk the floodgates.

    If I remember correctly, this was pretty much how PPI and flight delay claims started - and up until that point people had just accepted what the companies told them - because most people seem to have this weird notion that its only small companies/cowboy traders who flout the law.

    Hell look at what gym companies were allowed to get away with until OFT v ashbourne management.
    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means - Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    Which is probably why TUI have decided to do a test case (in high court) rather than risk the floodgates.

    If I remember correctly, this was pretty much how PPI and flight delay claims started - and up until that point people had just accepted what the companies told them - because most people seem to have this weird notion that its only small companies/cowboy traders who flout the law.

    Hell look at what gym companies were allowed to get away with until OFT v ashbourne management.

    Thanks for the reply.

    If the airlines have to refund for non refundable tickets, maybe it will be the end of cheap flights
  • unholyangel
    unholyangel Posts: 16,866 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    photome wrote: »
    Thanks for the reply.

    If the airlines have to refund for non refundable tickets, maybe it will be the end of cheap flights

    Its usually only scheduled flights that offer more restrictive booking conditions for a cheaper price. And even their economy seats on the same plane will vary depending on which group its in (with cheaper ones selling first) so for those flights, averaging the price so everyone pays the same economy fare might make more sense.

    Charter flights generally operate on a sliding scale basis.
    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means - Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
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