Omega Flightstore Refund Nightmare

Amazon_jen

I bought tickets for flights from Birmingham to New Orleans from Omega Flightstore, and they advised me a week later that the flight times (for October) had changed - I had to call through to their office for some dread ful customer service to get the details, and because utility meant I would get to my destination 3 hours late, I said I'd like to cancel. The advisor said that I would be able to get a full refund, this would take 10 TO 12 WEEKS to process!!

Is this allowed? Is there anything I can do to hurry up the refund? Any external regulators I can involve?

Thanks Forummers!

Jenny

leylandsunaddict

Amazon_jen wrote: »

I bought tickets for flights from Birmingham to New Orleans from Omega Flightstore, and they advised me a week later that the flight times (for October) had changed - I had to call through to their office for some dread ful customer service to get the details, and because utility meant I would get to my destination 3 hours late, I said I'd like to cancel. The advisor said that I would be able to get a full refund, this would take 10 TO 12 WEEKS to process!!

Is this allowed? Is there anything I can do to hurry up the refund? Any external regulators I can involve?

Thanks Forummers!

Jenny

It's about the right length of time. The agent isn't going to refund until the airline refund them. They don't process refunds individually. They're done in billing cycles, so far from instant, depending where in the cycle they are. Then the agent has to process the refund to the customer.

Booking through a 3rd party just complicates and delays things when it comes to refunds, schedules changes, amendments etc.

Moto2

Have you had confirmation of the cancellation in writing or an email, make sure you get it?
10-12 weeks is unacceptable, carriers in the US have been fined for not actioning refunds in a timely manner (7 days)
I'd look at doing a chargeback once I had confirmation of the cancellation.

Caz3121

I have waited over 4 weeks for a refund on a fully refundable ticket booked directly with the airline. Add in the fact that you chose to engage an agent rather than book direct with the airline....it could well take some time. Often the agents will say "up to....10 to 12 weeks"...so they are not setting expectations for elements that are outside their control but, depending on how long the airline take, it may well be less than this
This is the case when you don't book direct...in return for whatever saving (if any) you add in complexity as the agent holds the contract with the airline