Airline requesting I pay back compensation

arisser

I recently used the Resolver tool to claim back compensation I was eligible for from a cancelled flight (Dusseldorf to Birmingham) back in 2017 resulting in a delay of 16 hours.

I had tried multiple times to claim the compensation myself but received no response until I used Resolver and escalated the case to the next level. Around three weeks ago I received an email stating the compensation would be in my bank and sure enough a payment was made a few days later. They did not state an amount at this time.

This morning I have woken up to the following email from the airline

Due to a technical error you received payment of 600,00EUR instead of the confirmed refund of 250,00EUR. Hence we kindly ask you to return 350,00 with reference [redacted] before 12.03.19 to the following account

I now realise through reading the regulations that my flight was less than 1500km and therefore I should have received €250. I didn't know this at the time I made the claim (admittedly through my own ignorance!) but more importantly the airline never confirmed an amount in any of their correspondence with me prior to today's email wanting a refund.

Where do I stand re: this situation?

Alan_Bowen

You have clearly been the beneficiary of a mistake and you should return the overpayment, but I would find the worst exchange rate you can so as to return the least amount possible, I doubt they would take legal action for a loss of, say £20?

jpsartre

arisser wrote: »

Where do I stand re: this situation?

You should return the overpayment, surely? Just make sure it won't leave you out of pocket. E.g. if you pay a fee to transfer to a foreign back account you should subtract this from the money you transfer.

arisser

To clarify, I realise that I should refund the overpayment and I fully intend to do so.

Just wondering if this would be justification for further complaint (inconvenience/costs incurred for making a foreign transaction).

jpsartre

I would say so. You can't be expected to pay out of your own pocket to rectify their mistake.