Norwegian Air/CashPoints or refund?

barrys_baby

I was due to fly to US in April which I now can't do because of the travel ban. 

Norwegian Air haven't yet cancelled my flight, and up until tonight were only allowing me to rebook for a later date. I didn't want to rebook as there's no guarantee on when the disruption will have ended. I was also wary of rebooking, as the rebooked flight would have been booked after the FCO guidance advising against non-essential travel was in place, and so I feared this might invalidate any future claims. Is my understanding correct or would the rebooked flight still be covered by my insurance?

The latest email I've received has offered me CashPoints, which is the airlines own Digital currency that can be spent on future flights. Again, I'm wary of accepting these, as it's known that the airline is in financial difficulty and I wasn't sure if they would be worth anything should the airline go bust before I use them.

Ideally the airline would cancel the flight and provide a full cash refund, but my suspicion is that they'd rather send an empty plane to New York to avoid offering a cash refund.

I can't get through to Norwegian Air on the phones and they're not answering my messages on Twitter. My insurance won't refund my flights until I've shown I have made every attempt to get the refund directly from the airline.

Can anyone advise on what my best option is? Should I hold on to as close to the time as possible to hope that the airline will cancel the flight? If they do, are they mandated to offer a cash refund or could they repay in points anyway?

jimexbox

I received the same email, flying later in the year. Myself, I'm hanging tight and waiting. My main concern is that the airline will collapse rendering the cashpoints worthless. Plus as I've already booked on my credit card, section 75 joint liability wouldn't apply, leaving me high and dry.

If Norwegian cancel the flight you are entitled to a full cash refund. 

airgead66

In a similar position.Have flights to USA with Norwegian for August.I am confused because news articles say Norwegian has cancelled all intercontinental flights (with a few exceptions) but the email I got from them (offering Cashpoints) does not actually say they have cancelled my flight.I really would like to get my money back asap but I guess have to wait until they tell me they have cancelled it?

insert_random_name_here

Norwegian said they would be cancelling thousands of flights and laying off half their staff, but to date they haven't done anything. 

I'm due to go to the USA on April 18th, returning May 4th. Right now I'm sitting tight as it's still more than 30 days away. I know 100% we won't be going as a) it'll be against FCO advice and b) everything will be closed when we get there. I'm definitely not taking the refund-for-points offer due to the risk of them going bust. All my hotels and rental car are all cancellable at no cost, but my crunch decision point is two weeks prior to departure as that's when I can cancel the dog's boarding kennels with no penalty. At that point I'll speak to Norwegian, my credit card provider, and my travel insurer to get a cancellation refund from one of them.  

jimexbox

airgead66 said:

In a similar position.Have flights to USA with Norwegian for August.I am confused because news articles say Norwegian has cancelled all intercontinental flights (with a few exceptions) but the email I got from them (offering Cashpoints) does not actually say they have cancelled my flight.I really would like to get my money back asap but I guess have to wait until they tell me they have cancelled it?

I hope you have travel insurance or booked on a credit card, as out of all the major European airlines, this one is on the brink.

I read in the telegraph that easyjet have 4 billion tucked away, Norwegian, 300 million. Which is why they are offering these cashpoint vouchers. Once they start paying out refunds, which by law they are obliged too for cancelled flights, every chance they will fold. 

bristolien

Can I ask why section 75 credit card liability wouldn't apply? I'm in same situation, due to fly 29th March and got the cashpoints email last night. 

jimexbox

bristolien said:

Can I ask why section 75 credit card liability wouldn't apply? I'm in same situation, due to fly 29th March and got the cashpoints email last night. 

Ring your c/c company up to check, but you didn't purchase vouchers on your credit card, you bought a flight. You voluntary transfered the purchase, so why would section 75 apply? 

airgead66

jimexbox said:

airgead66 said:

In a similar position.Have flights to USA with Norwegian for August.I am confused because news articles say Norwegian has cancelled all intercontinental flights (with a few exceptions) but the email I got from them (offering Cashpoints) does not actually say they have cancelled my flight.I really would like to get my money back asap but I guess have to wait until they tell me they have cancelled it?

I hope you have travel insurance or booked on a credit card, as out of all the major European airlines, this one is on the brink.

I read in the telegraph that easyjet have 4 billion tucked away, Norwegian, 300 million. Which is why they are offering these cashpoint vouchers. Once they start paying out refunds, which by law they are obliged too for cancelled flights, every chance they will fold. 

Yes I have travel insurance and I have paid with credit card.Am relying on credit card to get refund if /when Norwegian goes bust.Was thinking though that if Nowegian cancel then it must be up to them to give refund?

Gunner276

I am due to travel with Norwegian to the US on 4th April. I've just been on live chat where they reoffered the cash points refund, which I refused!

They said the advice on their website will be updated daily, and might soon include a cash refund option. 

I think they will likely go bust, and I will have to get a refund on my credit card!

glee3

I'm in the same boat. I'm guessing everyone is on LowFare flights, has anyone tried upgrading to Premium and then seeing if you can refund the flights once you are Premium?

ilovepizzaa

Same for me also, I have no clue what to do about this.
I was due to fly to Florida on the 31st march, this is now stopped due to the request by the FCO.
Norwegian air have sent me emails regarding "cashpoints" but these render useless if the airline goes bust.  
I was thinking the same this by upgrading to premium then get a refund. A premium ticket with Norwegian air is refundable to my understanding, am I correct in saying this?
At this current point I think I'm going to loose my money which ever way this pans out