Money Moral Dilemma: Should I claim for a cancelled flight when airlines are struggling?

R4JCT

My issue is with being refunded for flights with EasyJet. They have removed their online refund button simply leaving you with a choice of a voucher or rebooking online. Any other option you must telephone and when you do you go through the normal spiel and then to be told we are busy ring back later goodbye! I’ve experienced that over the past 2 days 11 times and I believe they want customers to give up and claim a voucher. Legally of course they are aware that a refund is due within 14 days but there seems no will to abide by the law. In contrast Jet2 refunded holiday costs within 7 days of contact. I have every sympathy for companies that are struggling but when airline customers are suffering hardship ,and wish to cancel, they are absolutely ruthless in pursuit of their money simply referring to their terms and conditions. 

REJP

Normally I would claim.   However, in this time of emergency when crews have been laid off and aircraft not earning their keep I would not claim.  Many airlines buy their aircraft on credit and with no income will default on loans made to buy those aircraft which we will need in future.  I expect a big rush for holidays again when this crisis is over.
I suppose I must be lucky because in 50 years of travelling by air I have only had one bad experience and long delay due to heavy snow causing a long diversion and coach trip home from an airfield which was clear for landing.  That was before the compensation culture kicked in.

Thedvdmonster_2

I would claim in a heartbeat. 

Right now I need a refund from Jet2.com and having to jump through hoops instead of them automatically refunding me for THEIR cancellation. 

I have to wait for them to contact me as on the website they state if I try and cancel myself they don’t refund me and no other options available. 

They’re happy to take every penny eveth other day if the week. 

Lowerfold

Let's be honest, if you became short of funds and you needed to cancel a flight/holiday to help you get through a tricky period do you think the these companies would just wave away their charges...... NOT A CHANCE.
If you're entitled to it..... claim it. There are far more deserving cases than travel companies. 

PaddyJG

Background: I have six cancelled leisure flights around Europe totalling just under £250 which have been cancelled. I paid via credit card and have Travel Insurance.
My View: I think that the risk of flight cancellations should sit with the airline, and failing that, with the government (via bailouts). That is why we have consumer protections in place to remove the risk to the individual. I am fully aware that no individual or organisation could have prepared for this pandemic, however, I would have expected that airlines would have factored in some kind of risk considering their experiences after the 2010 Icelandic Volcanic Eruption. I and many others in my situation are not immune to the wider economic effects of this pandemic such as our job security, plus our pensions and investments losing up to 35% of their value. I doubt that the airline executives and shareholders will have to sacrifice too much to refund cancelled flights. With regard to the airline employees, it is sad that their jobs are under threat through the lack of flights, and unfortunately, airlines going into administration, however, it should be the government that supports these individuals via the furlough scheme or failing that Universal Credit.
Bottom Line: None of us is immune to the wider effects of the pandemic, therefore we should not sacrifice our consumer rights

JayD

I agree with the majority of responders on here. It's a very difficult time, you did not experience any real hardship and you are fortunate enough to be home , safe with your family. These things are worth more than a few pounds compensation. Especially at a time when there may be very few staff available to deal with your claim. Unless you are experiencing financial hardship from your delayed flight experience, I would not advise you to make a claim.

SashikoStitcher

Lowerfold said:

Let's be honest, if you became short of funds and you needed to cancel a flight/holiday to help you get through a tricky period do you think the these companies would just wave away their charges...... NOT A CHANCE.
If you're entitled to it..... claim it. There are far more deserving cases than travel companies. 

It’s not about whether a travel company is a “deserving cause” though. That misses the point that if the travel companies fail, we all lose out because there are no more cheap flights and choice of holidays is much more limited in the future. Claiming for an amount that you can afford to lose is just shooting yourself in the foot. 

marmybaby

Flight was cancelled 15 March, due to fly 16th March.  Impossible to get hold of TUI.  Yesterday, not only got a call apologising for delay and thanks for being patient and the money will be refunded into the credit card I paid with.  So don’t give up as the airlines know they have to pay.

meknowalot-51

Should you be leanient towards the airline due to world virus?

A lot of major airlines are asking the uk gov. to help them financially at the moment,the one with the beard seems to spring to mind.When they make shed loads and pay themselves vast sums every year what do they do with it?They buy an island,villa's,yachts and have a lavish lifestyle.Rather than sell their good time items when things get tough they ask the uk taxpayer to give them a handout,what a cheek.Remember,a lot of the people have and never will  be able to afford luxury holidays,so why should they have to dig deep instead of the owners selling their assets?

 We we're delayed on a return from Rhodes in 2016 for just over 24 hours and went through the compensation route with the help of this site,did our homework and waited patiently,recieved £720.If your compensation could be similar would you still consider not claiming?These large companies have insurancies to cover unforeseen situations.

Alexsas

The argument that they need to be subsidised or we don’t get cheap prices or variety of flights is flawed. 

It is the time to get rid of the dead wood and start afresh. No point in keeping zombies walking