RyanAir - recourse

nawtja

Hi there,

I just received an email from RyanAIr cancelling one of my return flight. They said (in an email) that I can get a refund, travel credit, or accept the new flight time (which is early morn instead of late evening - ruining the trip basically - due to the short time).

Sad thing I paid 0.02p for the flights (including taxes - really, it was during some tax protest thing). So refund means nothing. They say they have a travel credit - but I'm guessing this is just a refund in voucher form (or is it the ability to use the same flight segment).

Do any EU regulations apply to this? Or do all they have to offer is a refund? Annoyance is I have to cancel accommodation, etc.

Cheers,

PS I tried rining the helpdesk, but was on hold for 25 mins and still didnt get thru.

dmg24

When was your flight due to leave?

nawtja

sat evening - in mid nov; now changed it to early sat morn (meaning lose a day, not really worth the trip)

dmg24

As your flight was cancelled more than 14 days before departure, you are only entitled to a refund or rerouting as soon as possible.

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=306&pagetype=90&pageid=4410

nawtja

is that actual law or interpretation

because a) they made my return flight EARLIER - which seems inconsistent (i.e. as soon as possible offer an alternative, but I'd assume that meant after the scheduled flight)
and
b) If they should offer a replacement flight for that segment - surely a 'travel voucher' isn't the same thing as saying - make that flight sunday instead?

dmg24

The information I have quoted is the law. The law is open to interpretation, and the statute in question has only been tested in limited circumstances.

dmg24

nawtja wrote: »

is that actual law or interpretation

because a) they made my return flight EARLIER - which seems inconsistent (i.e. as soon as possible offer an alternative, but I'd assume that meant after the scheduled flight)
and
b) If they should offer a replacement flight for that segment - surely a 'travel voucher' isn't the same thing as saying - make that flight sunday instead?

'As soon as possible' means 'as soon as possible'. I do not see how you would interpret this to have to be at a later time?

As there is a flight on the same day as your original flight, this will be 'as soon as possible' to your original flight time.

nawtja

I think that given the context that this refers to flight cancellation, 'as soon as possible' could mean as soon as possible *after* the time of the scheduled flight.

If not, by definition, then ASAP means _the next available flight_ (i.e. today). Of course, it doesn't make sense, given the outward flight hasn't been taken. In that case, it could mean as soon as possible once you arrive. Again not right.
I'm sure the purpose is to be as close as possible to that flight - which in that case, would mean a later one. Though given the purpose of the legislation is to protect the consumer - I'd expect some form of choice (hence the stipulation 'or at a later date if YOU agree').

Also I'm unsure whether a flight voucher cuts it - I mean, if I can get a full refund, why would I take a flight voucher which is for the same value as the refund, yet ryanair holds on to your cash (and makes you call an exp. ph number to use it). The voucher offers no additional benefit whatsoever (only detriment) compared to a refund - so I don't think a voucher = rerouting..

Must be some judicial interpretation on these conditions somewhere

Thanks for the info!

dmg24

If not, by definition, then ASAP means _the next available flight_ (i.e. today). Of course, it doesn't make sense, given the outward flight hasn't been taken. In that case, it could mean as soon as possible once you arrive. Again not right.
I'm sure the purpose is to be as close as possible to that flight - which in that case, would mean a later one. Though given the purpose of the legislation is to protect the consumer - I'd expect some form of choice (hence the stipulation 'or at a later date if YOU agree').

You are interpreting the statute to suit you, and it does not work that way!

'As soon as possible' means as close to the time of the original flight. If there is a flight three hours later, and another one two hours earlier, then the earlier flight is as soon as possible.

The relevant legislation is relatively new, and I am not aware that it has been tested above County Court level (so not binding on other courts). I could be wrong though.

What do you actually want Ryanair to do?

alared

As the flight was only 1p,I think you`ll just have to bite the bullet and accept the earlier flight.
It`s pointless getting a refund of 1p.

Try searching for another return flight,there`s a 50% offer `til tomorrow night.

madalena

Same happenend to me. Both legs of return flight changed significantly, one a few days after the other. Opted for travel credit rather than a straight forward refund, as I use Ryanair a lot. However, it turns out that you cannot book and redeem online, but have have to ring an Irish tel. nr. Then, an automated message informs you to ring a 0900 nr. at a whopping £1 p/m. They will probably charge £10 for booking online as well. Does anyone have that experience?