Air Transat cancellation - no refund?

ButtyD

Thanks for the help everyone. We had October flights from Manchester to Vancouver cancelled last week and I have been trying to follow the advice you have offered.
Today we received confirmation via Facebook Messenger (signed up just for thus purpose) that a refund is refused, as expected. (It took 5 days to get a reply) Now I can start the chargeback process. They also offered to void the credit so that we could claim on insurance but I'll try chargeback first. 

jem16

ButtyD said:

They also offered to void the credit so that we could claim on insurance but I'll try chargeback first. 

Would you be covered on your insurance anyway? My insurance doesn't cover if the cause is a pandemic and many insurance companies are refusing to pay out as a voucher has been offered. Chargeback is the best way to go.

ButtyD

I haven't asked the insurance people yet. It is complementary cover from my bank. As we booked before the virus became an issue, I am hopeful that they will cover us. 
This is what Transat's message said...
"If you want a refund, it is possible to void the credit. Your reservation will become 100% non-refundable and we will then send you a proof of cancellation so that you can file a claim with your travel insurance."

jem16

ButtyD said:

I haven't asked the insurance people yet. It is complementary cover from my bank. As we booked before the virus became an issue, I am hopeful that they will cover us. 

My booking was made in January. However unless I had a special trip disruption cover, it didn't cover me.

Please make sure you complain the CAA as well as they are the ones who should be able to ensure Air Transat abides by the law.

ButtyD

Just off the HSBC website, used online chat to request chargeback, so that's got the ball rolling.
Re. insurance, this is what the website says....

"On 17 March, coronavirus became a ‘known event’ and travel restrictions were put in place.

This means any trips booked after this date will not be covered if:

• you need to cancel or come home early and

• the advice against travelling is still in place at the time you’re due to travel.

This also applies to trips booked before 17 March to countries where the FCO was advising against travel."

bignred05

on a Personal point of view, I would not be claiming via my Travel insurance (not sure if i'm covered or not)
I would not cancel any credit note either that is on offer, not until I have had a full refund.

by going via the chargeback or Section 75 option, you get a full refund without having to suffer a travel insurance excess

ButtyD

Agreed. Already started the chargeback process.
I'm just keeping all my options available....just in case.

bignred05

ButtyD said:

I haven't asked the insurance people yet. It is complementary cover from my bank. As we booked before the virus became an issue, I am hopeful that they will cover us. 
This is what Transat's message said...
"If you want a refund, it is possible to void the credit. Your reservation will become 100% non-refundable and we will then send you a proof of cancellation so that you can file a claim with your travel insurance."

Don't go via this route, it saves Air Transat paying out what they have to by UK law.

Its a Chargeback (first) or a Section 75 against your credit card.
due to the massive numbers in the same boat (cancelled holidays/flights) its taking a lot longer to process the chargebacks
(I've just waited 4-6 weeks) if your chargeback fails which is highly unlikely. (this is taken back from Air Transat)

You then have the option of a Section 75 claim against your credit card company as they are liable.
so its in the best intrest of the credit card company to pay the chargeback option which costs them nothing rather than the section 75 which comes out of the credit company's purse.

AngloLargs

We were due to fly from Glasgow to Vancouver via Toronto with AirTransat on Sunday past. The flights were cancelled start of May and I received vouchers which I rejected and so like others on this thread I requested a full refund under EU 261 which has been refused. I have complained to the CAA and started the chargeback process !
I assume if Visa apply the chargeback then the voucher will become null & void but if AirTransat dispute the chargeback and succeed, are they entitled to withdraw the voucher completely ?  

Alan_Bowen

No, you do not lose the legal right to a full refund from the airline if the chargeback is refused, it just means you may have to sue them!