Monarch Airlines stops trading - latest info and your rights

cldeaville

I used my monarch vouchers + paid extra using my Amex chargecard.
Amex have re-paid me the additional money spent but said as it was a chargecard the section 75 does not apply !! Gutted, lost £1300 worth of flights which were booked for this Christmas.
I think it is outrageous that Monarch could opt out of Atol protection on flights. When I booked I saw the Atol logo and didn't think twice about it, surely they should have had some sort of warning that you weren't covered.
Looks like the family are staying home this Christmas :-(
Chris.

leylandsunaddict

Why is it outrageous? Airlines don't hold Atols. Do other airlines tell you that you're not covered? If you'd have read their C of C you would have known anyway. The CAA said Monarch no longer needed to protect their flights since Greybull cash injection last year. You could have taken out the correct insurance cover for independent travel and that would have covered supplier failure, but it sounds like you chose not.

I'm sorry you've lost money but you could have avoided it.

noelphobic

I received a letter from M and S bank today. They say they have raised a formal dispute with MasterCard, which may take a minimum of 60 days to resolve with the retailer. Pending this they have credited my account, although it does say that the charge could be reapplied.

I'm hoping this is just a formality and the refund will stand.

I'm in a much more fortunate position than many. My flight isn't until December and only cost £40. I'd booked my outward flight with Ryanair, my return flight with Monarch and was initially concerned that there would be problems with Ryanair and I would lose the money from both flights. As soon as Monarch went bust I booked a replacement flight with Ryanair for roughly the same price.

Just have to hope there's no further problems with Ryanair now :eek:

I sent my form in to M and S about ten days ago, so am pleased with their quick response.

I've made Section 75 claims in the past with Barclaycard and they've been dire. They only paid me out on the last one after I threatened to go to the Financial Ombudsman, and even then they said it was a good will gesture, rather than a Section 75 refund, which was rubbish.

I was pleased I hadn't paid for my flight with Barclaycard, although someone has posted on here to say they have had a chargeback' refund from them.

Loz0712

Booked with Monarch holidays in Jan this year and have an Atol cert. Our holiday was for this December.
Still have not received an e-mail link for my claims for. Called the call center several times as instructed to do on the website to be told it will be with me shortly and i am still waiting. Do not seem to be getting anywhere and no other numbers or e-mail to get in touch with. Why can't they have the link on the caa website?

krowley1206

I originally booked my flight with Monarch to depart on 17 April 2017 and return on 22 April 2017.
ATOL protection here was worth £370 for the value of the flights.

On 12 April 2017 I amended the flights and are now due to travel 7 April 2018 and return 11 April 2018.
I paid £214 to amend the flights.
ATOL protection now covered for £584 (original £370 plus the £214 to rebook).

The ATOL claim form says they cannot cover amendment fees.

Should I proceed with a claim for the original £370 or try for the £584?

My reasoning being that, had I known Monarch was going to go bust, I would have traveled on the original date.

Thanks

bradders1983

The problem you have is that flights were no longer ATOL protected if booked after mid-December 2016, the amendment was well after this and that will be the excuse used not to pay you that portion of the claim.

leylandsunaddict

Did you receive an Atol certificate when you did the amendment? If so, how much does that Atol certificate state is covered?

krowley1206

Yes - updated Atol certificate says £584.

But this takes into account the amendment which the claim form says doesn't cover.

Plus it was re-booked after 14 December 2016 so I ma not Atol protected for anything booked after this date. So I might try through the chargeback/Section 75 scheme

bradders1983

krowley1206 wrote: »

Yes - updated Atol certificate says £584.

In which case then you claim for that. If they come back and say no, tell them you have proof that £584 is covered.

krowley1206

Thank you - I will let you know how I get on!