Australia flights refund advice

quickoldfart

Hello.
Last december I booked and paid in full for flights to Australia with Singapore airlines, the booking was made via a third party agent recommended by SkyScanner called LycaFly. I do have travel insurance and the flights were booked on a Halifax credit card.
LycaFly are being very backward in coming forward, I have asked several times for a refund.
May I ask for advice on the best way forward if LycaFly simply do not respond or refuse to refund me, i.e. who best to contact next, Travel Insurance or Credit card.
Many thanks in advance.
Pete Carr

quickoldfart

Oh! Flights were for 12th April, sorry I forgot that bit

Westin

SQ are offering a credit and a waiver of rebooking fees.  I expect that offer will be put to Lycafly and that they will relay that information to you.  

Caz3121

quickoldfart said:

 a third party agent recommended by SkyScanner called LycaFly.

just to point out, skyscanner does not 'recommend' any companies. They are a comparison site that gives you a list of options from companies that pay to advertise. (many of which would be best avoided)

justinwhite001

Looking forward to reading more. Great blog.Thanks Again. Much obliged.

quickoldfart

Westin said:

SQ are offering a credit and a waiver of rebooking fees.  I expect that offer will be put to Lycafly and that they will relay that information to you.  

Hmm! problem we have is the event we were travelling for has been cancelled, a credit isnt really a lot of use to us, and Lycafly are not responding at the moment.

quickoldfart

Caz3121 said:

quickoldfart said:

 a third party agent recommended by SkyScanner called LycaFly.

just to point out, skyscanner does not 'recommend' any companies. They are a comparison site that gives you a list of options from companies that pay to advertise. (many of which would be best avoided)

Fair comment it was my poor choice of words

Westin

quickoldfart said:

Westin said:

SQ are offering a credit and a waiver of rebooking fees.  I expect that offer will be put to Lycafly and that they will relay that information to you.  

Hmm! problem we have is the event we were travelling for has been cancelled, a credit isnt really a lot of use to us, and Lycafly are not responding at the moment.

I understand your reasons for not wishing to travel in the future given the trip was for a special event.  Unfortunately, and rather bluntly, I doubt SQ or Lycafly will consider that.   Lycafly can really only do and relay what the airline offers - they are very much in the middle of this.  As it stands today SQ are only offering travel waivers and credits rather than refunds.   It may change, especially given the FCO and Singapore Health authorities travel advisories plus the fact that there are certain obligations for cancelled flights under Eu261 regulations - BUT, airlines will be protecting cash reserves to survive and holding out.   FYI, SQ now down to operating just 9 aircraft in the fleet. Income will be minimal or insignificant, yet bills to pay.   

quickoldfart

Westin said:

quickoldfart said:

Westin said:

SQ are offering a credit and a waiver of rebooking fees.  I expect that offer will be put to Lycafly and that they will relay that information to you.  

Hmm! problem we have is the event we were travelling for has been cancelled, a credit isnt really a lot of use to us, and Lycafly are not responding at the moment.

I understand your reasons for not wishing to travel in the future given the trip was for a special event.  Unfortunately, and rather bluntly, I doubt SQ or Lycafly will consider that.   Lycafly can really only do and relay what the airline offers - they are very much in the middle of this.  As it stands today SQ are only offering travel waivers and credits rather than refunds.   It may change, especially given the FCO and Singapore Health authorities travel advisories plus the fact that there are certain obligations for cancelled flights under Eu261 regulations - BUT, airlines will be protecting cash reserves to survive and holding out.   FYI, SQ now down to operating just 9 aircraft in the fleet. Income will be minimal or insignificant, yet bills to pay.   

LycaFly have now echoed the Singapore airlines approach offering rescheduled flights up to March 31st 2021, sadly this is of no use to us,(simply not enough holiday allowance from my wifes company, as we already holidays booked)
So back to my original question, if I wanted to attempt to get something back from either my Credit Card or my travel insurance, what would be the best way forward?

Many Thanks.

ger1986

quickoldfart said:

Westin said:

quickoldfart said:

Westin said:

SQ are offering a credit and a waiver of rebooking fees.  I expect that offer will be put to Lycafly and that they will relay that information to you.  

Hmm! problem we have is the event we were travelling for has been cancelled, a credit isnt really a lot of use to us, and Lycafly are not responding at the moment.

I understand your reasons for not wishing to travel in the future given the trip was for a special event.  Unfortunately, and rather bluntly, I doubt SQ or Lycafly will consider that.   Lycafly can really only do and relay what the airline offers - they are very much in the middle of this.  As it stands today SQ are only offering travel waivers and credits rather than refunds.   It may change, especially given the FCO and Singapore Health authorities travel advisories plus the fact that there are certain obligations for cancelled flights under Eu261 regulations - BUT, airlines will be protecting cash reserves to survive and holding out.   FYI, SQ now down to operating just 9 aircraft in the fleet. Income will be minimal or insignificant, yet bills to pay.   

LycaFly have now echoed the Singapore airlines approach offering rescheduled flights up to March 31st 2021, sadly this is of no use to us,(simply not enough holiday allowance from my wifes company, as we already holidays booked)
So back to my original question, if I wanted to attempt to get something back from either my Credit Card or my travel insurance, what would be the best way forward?

Many Thanks.

The airline should be refunding you as per their T&Cs for cancelled flights and as detailed on the MSE page. Next stop credit card then insurance (but as they have offered you vouchers this may prevent travel insurance paying out as you have suffered any loss in their eyes). It would be better for many people if this wasn't offered as then insurance could be claimed.

I don't understand how the airlines are getting away with offering vouchers - I know their cash flow will be taking a hit but so is everyone's bank balance, I am not a charity for the airlines.  I am in the same position as you, albeit I booked Qantas flights to Australia via Expedia due to leave 3rd April. Expedia have told me not to contact them about my booking until 72 hours before scheduled departure so I haven't, however they have emailed me to tell me they have automatically issued me a Qantas voucher for £2K, this will be worthless to me as I can't use it in the next year. (Annual leave and other trips planned that will probably be getting cancelled).  I am expecting everyone will all have a hard time getting their money back from the airlines and will probably be even more difficult if booked through an OTA. 

quickoldfart

ger1986 said:

quickoldfart said:

Westin said:

quickoldfart said:

Westin said:

SQ are offering a credit and a waiver of rebooking fees.  I expect that offer will be put to Lycafly and that they will relay that information to you.  

Hmm! problem we have is the event we were travelling for has been cancelled, a credit isnt really a lot of use to us, and Lycafly are not responding at the moment.

I understand your reasons for not wishing to travel in the future given the trip was for a special event.  Unfortunately, and rather bluntly, I doubt SQ or Lycafly will consider that.   Lycafly can really only do and relay what the airline offers - they are very much in the middle of this.  As it stands today SQ are only offering travel waivers and credits rather than refunds.   It may change, especially given the FCO and Singapore Health authorities travel advisories plus the fact that there are certain obligations for cancelled flights under Eu261 regulations - BUT, airlines will be protecting cash reserves to survive and holding out.   FYI, SQ now down to operating just 9 aircraft in the fleet. Income will be minimal or insignificant, yet bills to pay.   

LycaFly have now echoed the Singapore airlines approach offering rescheduled flights up to March 31st 2021, sadly this is of no use to us,(simply not enough holiday allowance from my wifes company, as we already holidays booked)
So back to my original question, if I wanted to attempt to get something back from either my Credit Card or my travel insurance, what would be the best way forward?

Many Thanks.

The airline should be refunding you as per their T&Cs for cancelled flights and as detailed on the MSE page. Next stop credit card then insurance (but as they have offered you vouchers this may prevent travel insurance paying out as you have suffered any loss in their eyes). It would be better for many people if this wasn't offered as then insurance could be claimed.

I don't understand how the airlines are getting away with offering vouchers - I know their cash flow will be taking a hit but so is everyone's bank balance, I am not a charity for the airlines.  I am in the same position as you, albeit I booked Qantas flights to Australia via Expedia due to leave 3rd April. Expedia have told me not to contact them about my booking until 72 hours before scheduled departure so I haven't, however they have emailed me to tell me they have automatically issued me a Qantas voucher for £2K, this will be worthless to me as I can't use it in the next year. (Annual leave and other trips planned that will probably be getting cancelled).  I am expecting everyone will all have a hard time getting their money back from the airlines and will probably be even more difficult if booked through an OTA. 

Interestingly LycaFly have stated I need to get things sorted Prior to 72 hours from Departure to avoid an "No Show" which they say is not their responsibility, and suggested I contact the airline directly.